In this article, we pay tribute to the female legal trailblazers of Queensland and share our thoughts as to why their rise is good for the industry as a whole.
At Alex Correa Executive, we are a female led business with a passion for diversity and inclusion. Having said that, we proudly count many male lawyers and business leaders as clients, candidates, colleagues and close friends. Any tribute we pay here in no way diminishes their contribution to the industry!
Fifteen or twenty years ago, when our Founder Alex Correa was assembling shortlists for graduate lawyer roles at a Queensland law firm, the challenge was often ensuring there was at least one suitably qualified male candidate on the list. That may surprise you, but let us explain why.
At the time, the number of high-achieving female law graduates had surged. Many excelled in communication, interpersonal engagement, and overall presentation, skills highly prized in interview settings. As a result, they often outperformed their male peers during the graduate recruitment process.
But while women were dominating at entry level, the same could not be said for senior roles in law. Leadership appointments whether in-house or at partner level were still overwhelmingly male. It was clear there was a disconnect between the pipeline of emerging talent and who was making it to the top.
Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing the long-term impact of that early shift. Many of those impressive female graduates have steadily progressed through the ranks. They’ve built credibility, developed commercial depth, and are now stepping confidently into senior leadership roles. The change has been steady, but it’s been profound.
Corporate Australia, including a number of progressive law firms have played a role in driving this transformation, with increasing focus on gender balance at leadership level. In fact, in a recent General Counsel appointment, we once again found ourselves advocating for gender balance to ensure strong male candidates were included.
The shift in dynamics is something to be celebrated. It speaks not only to the depth of talent in our profession, but also to the benefits of sustained investment in diverse graduate cohorts. The Queensland legal industry is better for it more representative, more inclusive, and more equipped to meet the challenges of modern leadership.
Progress hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of decades of hard work, cultural shifts, and because courageous female leaders have paved the way for others and fostered opportunities for those that followed. In this article, we want to acknowledge a few of those women, explore what they have in common, and explain why increased female leadership benefits the entire legal profession.
Recognising Queensland’s Female Legal Trailblazers
Justice Susan Kiefel
Left school at 15 to become a legal secretary and made it all the way to Chief Justice! She became Queensland’s first female Queen’s Counsel in 1987 and went on to become a Judge of the High and Federal Court. Susan Keifel’s career path demonstrates that leadership positions can come from unconventional beginnings.
Debbie Kilroy OAM
Once incarcerated herself, Debbie went on to become a qualified lawyer and the founder of Sisters Inside, an organisation that champions the rights of women in the criminal justice system. Her lived experience and relentless advocacy for prison reform have made her a national voice for justice and equality.
Terri Janke
Founder and Solicitor-Director of Terri Janke & Company, Terri is widely recognised as a leading authority in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property law. Her firm is one of the few Indigenous-owned practices in Australia, and she has been instrumental in shaping culturally respectful legal frameworks for First Nations communities.
Senator Larissa Waters
Before becoming a trailblazing federal politician and the first woman to breastfeed in Parliament, Larissa was an environmental lawyer at Freehills. As a leader of the Greens, she has consistently advocated for women’s rights, environmental justice, and integrity in public life.
Cecelia Christensen
Queensland’s first female Crown Solicitor, Cecelia’s legal career has been rooted in long-term public service including executive roles with Queensland Treasury and Crime and Corruption Commission. Her recent pioneering appointment will no doubt contribute in shifting the landscape of government legal leadership.
Genevieve Dee
Currently President of the Queensland Law Society (as of March 2025), Genevieve has held significant leadership roles in the judiciary, including in the Children’s Court. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both justice and the profession’s future.
Kara Cook
Now the Federal Member for Bonner, Kara started her career in community legal centres. Her transition from grassroots law to politics underscores the broader influence legal leaders can have in shaping public policy. We interviewed Kara for our Friends in Law podcast when she was a Brisbane City Councillor. Her advice to young female lawyers was that “You don’t have to behave with masculine characteristics to get through, you can be empathetic and be a really strong leader”
Tracey Greenaway
Tracey is a globally experienced energy and resources partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, named Energy & Resources Partner of the Year in 2025. She has global experience in a traditionally male dominated sector.
Common Threads, Diverse Paths
One of the most inspiring observations from these women’s journeys is that there is no single “pathway” to leadership. Some began in top-tier firms (like Larissa Waters and Cecelia Christensen), while others forged their careers in advocacy and community legal work (like Kilroy, Janke, and Cook).
What unites them from my perspective is:
- A strong sense of purpose in their work.
- A commitment to advocacy and reform.
- The courage to pursue leadership in sometimes male-dominated sectors of the profession.
Why Female Representation at Leadership Levels Matter More Than Ever
Gender Composition of Solicitors in Queensland (to 30 June 2023)
From the Queensland Law Society's practising certificate data there are more female lawyers than men. qls.com.au:
