Access to Justice Award 2024
Coby Foster, Norton Rose Fulbright
Coby is a passionate and driven pro bono lawyer based in Brisbane and is committed to social justice and human rights. She has dedicated the majority of her legal career to improving access to justice. For over a decade she has worked alongside First Nations communities to have their native title rights and interests recognised. Coby now provides pro bono support to clients across a range of areas, in particular projects that benefit First Nations communities, projects that benefit the environment (including biodiversity) or increase the sustainable use of resources; the protection of international human rights; and advocating for systemic change through law reform and policy reform work.
Award Partner
Emerging Leader Award 2024
Jaya Prasad, New Hope Group
Jaya is currently Lawyer & Assistant Company Secretary at New Hope Group, advising on regulatory and corporate governance matters affecting the mining industry. Her previous experience includes roles with the Energy & Resources team at Herbert Smith Freehills, a secondment with Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, Bravus Mining (a part of the Adani Group), and with KPMG. As part of her volunteer involvement in the energy and resources industry Jaya is President of the Young Professionals Committee for the Energy and Resources Law Association, Co-Secretary for the Queensland Branch of ER Law, Secretary of Young Mining Professionals Brisbane and Secretary of WISER – Women in Sustainable Energy and Resources.
Award Partner
Pride in Law Award 2024
Christopher Peppel, Carter Newell
Christopher is a Senior Associate in Carter Newell’s General Liability team and is experienced in achieving strong legal outcomes for clients. He currently leads this firm’s internal LGBTIQ+ network, PRIDE @ CN. Under his leadership, PRIDE @ CN has become a cornerstone of the firm’s culture, driving awareness and understanding of queer issues and perspectives.
To achieve these goals, he led the implementation of a range of educational programs and initiatives including regular training sessions and workshops aimed at educating staff about LGBTIQ+ issues, promoting understanding, and combating unconscious bias. By raising awareness, Christopher works to ensure that the firm not only complies with best practices but also leads in setting a standard for inclusivity.
Award Partner
Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Large) 2024
Brett Heading, Hamilton Locke
During an extensive career, Brett has developed a deep understanding of corporate law, property, estate succession and tax planning. Before joining Hamilton Locke, Brett was a partner at Jones Day and Chairman of Partners at McCullough Robertson. He has combined his professional legal career with board appointments for many ASXlisted companies (including Unity Pacific, Technology One, AACo, Chemgenex Pharmaceuticals, Peplin Biotech and Apollo Tourism & Leisure) and unlisted companies (including Hoyts and Peanut Company of Australia). He was also a long-serving member of several Federal Government organisations (Takeovers Panel, Board of Taxation and CAMAC Legal Committee).
Award Partner
Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Small) 2024
Trent Wakerley, Kruger Law
Trent came to law a little later in life after a career as a Registered Nurse. In 2005, he started working at Sunshine Coast’s largest law firm and after being admitted in 2006 remained there until 2015 working in wills & estates, will disputes, elder law, commercial and property law. In 2015, Trent became Partner at Kruger Law. In addition to leading the wills & estates team, Trent continued to assist clients with retirement living, lifestyle resorts and aged care matters. In 2021, Trent became the sole Director of Kruger Law and leads his focussed dedicated team based in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
Award Partner
Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Sole) 2024
Anna Morgan, Take Control Legal
Anna founded Take Control Legal in 2023 to offer flexible, responsive services to clients, including after-hours appointments, with a personalised and innovative approach. For 13 years, she has enhanced the legal experience through her involvement with the Gold Coast District Law Association, including three years as President and two as Treasurer. She champions collegiality, mental wellness, strong relationships, and mentoring. She volunteers at My Community Legal, lectures at Bond University, and founded Gold Coast Corporate Rotary. Additionally, she established Expert Witness Coach, guiding professionals to build successful careers as expert witnesses.
Award Partner
Employer of Choice Award 2024
Results Legal
The right team, the right result. Specialists in commercial disputes and commercial law. As a firm, Results Legal are committed to nurturing and developing the talent of their people. This is, ultimately, the best way to serve their clients and contribute to the profession. They offer early stage lawyers the opportunity to be client facing and go to court that enables them to quickly develop their people and technical skills. Results Legal find it’s a huge motivator, promotes innovation and contributes to a dynamic, client focused workplace culture. At Results Legal, they encourage their staff to be passionate about the industry, work extremely well as a team, and want to make a real difference.
Award Partner 
Graduate Lawyer of the Year Award 2024
Isabella Busby, Allens
In her second year of the Allens graduate program, Isabella has rotated through the Technology, Media and Telecommunications and Employment and Safety teams. She is passionate about increasing access to justice for vulnerable members of the community and contributing to initiatives which assist to improve mental health and engagement of minority populations (particularly women, people of colour and First Nations lawyers) in the legal community.
Isabella is one of the two pro bono coordinators for Allens Brisbane and coordinates the Brisbane Reconciliation Committee. Outside of work she is a director of The Legal Forecast, as well as managing the sponsorship portfolio of its creative subsidiary: TLF Creative.
Award Partner
