By Matthew Hollings, FLC Immediate Past President
Immediate Past President of the Future Leaders Committee, Matthew Hollings
January 2023 marked the end of my time as President of the Future Leaders Committee (FLC) of Queensland Law Society, and the end of my two years on the FLC more broadly. Reflecting on the past years brings a huge sense of pride for all that we have achieved together.
In 2022, our FLC working groups were able to make an impressive impact, hitting many of our goals for the year. We brought more young lawyers into the fold by increasing their participation and engagement with the Society, gave them even more opportunities for growth and connections, and promoted diversity and inclusiveness in the legal field.
One of the biggest highlights for us was the launch of our podcast The Callover. This was a platform for young lawyers to hear perspectives on various legal topics and from legal leaders around the country. It was wonderful to see the speakers and topics resonate with our listeners. The positive response to our first season was amazing and we can't wait to share season 2 in 2023! The first episode has just been released, with Dr. John Chesterman, the Public Advocate for Queensland.
We also created The Hub, a brand new online resource available on the Queensland Law Society website. This resource is tailored specifically for young and early career lawyers. It is jam-packed with information on career advancement, networking and legal practice - we're confident it will continue to be a huge help for lawyers as they grow in their careers. Make sure you keep an eye on The Hub for new content and events throughout this year.
We were also lucky to return to in-person events, hosting our first-ever Welcome to the Profession evening, a thought-provoking panel discussion on mental health, and a professional development workshop. These events were a huge success, with many young lawyers taking the chance to connect with their peers and learn from experienced professionals.
It has been such an honour to serve on the FLC as both a member and President, and I couldn't be prouder of what we accomplished in our two years together. A big thank you to my amazing committee members for all their hard work and dedication, and to Queensland Law Society for their support.
However, as wonderful and exciting as the achievements of the FLC have been to date, I am most excited about what is to come. These first two years have set a great platform for the next generation of FLC members to continue to grow and expand the FLC’s influence, reach, contribution and impact on the careers of young and early career lawyers. The FLC will be hosting more events (serious and social), providing input on education and profession development so as to ensure we continue to foster a community of connected, capable and content lawyers who will lead the legal profession in the years to come.
Nominations for the FLC election are now open, so if you are interested in making your mark and being a part of the events, education and other initiatives of the FLC, make sure you get involved.