As she marks 50 years in Queensland’s legal profession, Carmel Davies is taking time to reflect on her long career.
The Queensland Law Society held its Sunshine Coast Celebrate Recognise Socialise (CRS) event last night, recognising members celebrating 50-year and 25-year milestones.
Carmel fondly remembers Beryl Donkin.
“I very much appreciate such opportunity to reflect of achievements over a half century of working at the ‘coal face’ of the legal profession and to celebrate with fellow members who have shown devotion and commitment to the profession,” Carmel said.
“It has been a joy to provide professional service over such a long time to innumerable clients and the personal appreciation expressed by clients has been a reward in itself.
“I believe I was the 60th woman to be admitted as a solicitor in the state of Queensland.
“My memories of QLS go back to the days when the late Beryl Donkin, as QLS’s first full-time secretary and sole paid employee, did such a remarkable job over so many decades, and in such way that members such as I, felt a special connection to the Society.
“Of course the legal profession has grown very considerably and has had to evolve with the times and technological advances, but there is no harm in looking back fondly and with some nostalgia on those earlier days.”
Carmel continues to enjoy her work in all areas of civil law, particularly succession, compensation and commercial law. She is engaged as a locum and consultant.
Carmel is the first female recipient of the QLS 50-year membership pin in the CRS event format. The late Patricia Conroy received a gold pin at the Legal Profession Dinner in 2015.
Also recognised last night were 50-year recipient Ian Griffiths (Griffiths McDonald Carson), and 25-year members Jason Kerr (McCormick Lawyers), David Simpson (Simpson Quinn Lawyers), Christine Jones (SJP Law), Fiona Gillies (Gillies Legal) and John Fuhrman-Luck (John Fuhrman-Luck).
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