Senior Associate Kerri Fretwell is a true North Queenslander at a proud regional firm – Giudes & Elliott.
The Townsville family lawyer was one of four who received their 25-year Queensland Law Society membership at the Celebrate Recognise Socialise event last Thursday night.
QLS President Rebecca Fogerty with Kerri.
Her Townsville ties are strong – starting with her studies at the then fledging James Cook University (JCU) to now working in the historic Denham Chambers building, believed to have been built for a former British Naval Officer, who arrived in the 1870s.
Kerri began her studies at the Townsville campus, which was established in 1970.
“Originally JCU in Townsville only offered first year law,” she recalled. “At the time I applied, when I was in grade 12, they had started staging in each year, so it was possible to complete the entire degree in Townsville.
“I had always been fascinated by the legal system and given that I was able to complete my degree without leaving my home town, I jumped at the opportunity.”
As a regional lawyer, Kerri said her family had always lived in Townsville, and she “never had any desire to live in a big city”.
“Whilst I appreciate that ‘city’ lawyers would earn far more than those in regional centres, the opportunity to practise in a regional area has many ‘lifestyle’ advantages that solicitors in larger cities do not have,” she said.
“For example, there is very little time spent on the ‘work commute’. The legal fraternity is a smaller group so you can form good working relationships, and you are able to achieve a much better work-life balance.
“When I first started practising it was still the case that most people either knew each other or knew of each other.
“Clients were almost always sourced from referrals of friends. This has expanded over the years as more people relocate to regional areas, but word of mouth is still the best referral system for work in a regional area.
“I intend to see out my working life in Townsville.”
And that working life was recognised with the presentation of the 25-year pin, which Kerri said she was very proud to receive.
“I see it as a recognition of my years of service to the practice of law, which overall I have thoroughly enjoyed and found very rewarding.”
Ross Vecchio with QLS President Rebecca Fogerty.
Other 25-year pin recipients are Richard Lyne (Lyne & Co), Malcolm Fisher (Connolly Suthers Lawyers) and Rosario “Ross” Vecchio (Rapid Legal Solutions).
Richard Lyne receives his 25-year pin.
Accredited Specialists Anita Chand (Barram Family Law), Julie Bligh (Connolly Suthers) and Paul Sterling (Preston Law) were also recognised at the event.
Accredited Specialist Anita Chand at the event.
The inaugural QLS Connect event series was presented earlier that day.
The CPD event, worth two points, featured sessions on the Anti-money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024 and artificial intelligence.
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