McCullough Robertson’s Kristan Conlon receives the Agnes McWhinney Award
The Queensland Law Society (QLS) has announced the winners of its 2026 Excellence in Law Awards, recognising lawyers, legal teams and emerging professionals across 12 categories.
The winners were announced at the annual Awards Gala at The Star Brisbane on August 22. QLS said the awards recognise practitioners who demonstrate dedication, innovation and leadership within Queensland’s legal community.
Kristan Conlon, chair of partners at McCullough Robertson Lawyers, received the Agnes McWhinney Award. Conlon is a property lawyer and co-leads the firm’s Community Housing industry group, with a focus on social and affordable housing, urban renewal and large-scale development.
She also chairs the Community Housing Industry Association Queensland and has been involved in sector advocacy and reform, including developing Queensland’s Community Housing Master Agreement. Under her leadership, McCullough Robertson committed $1 million in pro bono legal services to the housing sector as part of the firm’s centenary initiative.
The Access to Justice Award went to Sam Tracy, practice director at Basic Rights Queensland. Tracy has a decade of experience in civil and administrative law, with a focus on discrimination and human rights. In 2025, his organisation’s Discrimination and Human Rights team and pro bono partner Hall & Wilcox achieved a judicial review success in the Supreme Court of Queensland that QLS said reinforced local council obligations to the human rights of homeless people.
Kiarah Grace Kelly, director and principal solicitor at Bloom Law, received the Emerging Leader Award. Kelly works as an Independent Children’s Lawyer and is a qualified Collaborative Law Practitioner. She works in complex parenting matters, property settlements, collaborative law, domestic and family violence litigation and multidisciplinary dispute resolution.
QLS named Chelsea Baker of Baker Hastings Lawyers Solicitor of the Year – Sole Practitioner, George Sourris of Empire Legal Solicitor of the Year – Small Firm, and MinterEllison senior legal consultant Andrew Shute Solicitor of the Year – Large Firm.
Legal Aid Queensland senior principal lawyer Linda Adcock received the Regional Practitioner of the Year Award, while Lander & Rogers was named Pro Bono Team of the Year.
Other winners included Jones Day associate Ishita Punj as Graduate Lawyer of the Year and Cancer Council Queensland senior legal advisor Theresa Jennings as In-house Counsel of the Year.
University of Queensland Arts/Laws student Indi McKeown received the First Nations Student Award. Julie Howes, director and principal solicitor of LGBTI Legal Service Inc, received the Pride in Law Award.
The awards recognised work across areas including access to justice, pro bono service, regional practice, diversity, leadership and professional achievement across Queensland’s legal sector.
