I have nominated to stand as President in the 2017 QLS Election. I was urged to do so by many present and former elected QLS representatives including a number of current Councillors and former Presidents as being the person best suited to lead the Society in 2018.
I am currently in my fourth year as a Councillor with the Queensland Law Society having commenced at the start of the 2014 term. During that time I have been involved in a number of QLS Committees and am now in a position to lead the Society to meet its challenges in 2018.
In addition to nominating for President, I am also supporting Elizabeth Shearer as Deputy President. Elizabeth was also elected to Council in 2014 and I have always been impressed with her knowledge of QLS matters and her awareness of the advantages of a collaborative leadership style (which we both embrace). Elizabeth has demonstrated her ability to work with many groups and I strongly endorse her candidacy.
Support is also sought for Chloe Kopilovic, Michael Brennan, Terry Browne, Paul Tully, Luke Murphy, Travis Schulz, Kara Thomson and Peter Lyons.
Some of the important issues facing QLS that I would like to progress are as follows:
- Retaining and expanding areas of work available to solicitors, including the retention of common law rights;
- Promoting the value of solicitors to the general community;
- Assistance for early career lawyers in career pathways;
- Focusing on the service that QLS can offer its members as this is essential to the growth of the organisation and to the QLS remaining relevant to all of its members in what are rapidly changing and challenging times;
- Utilising the wealth of knowledge and experience that we have in existence in our QLS committees to assist in the required advocacy on behalf of the Society;
- Improving relationships with QLS Stakeholders to further the interests of members;
- The maintenance of high professional and ethical standard and the role that QLS has in setting those standards.
QLS Involvement
In addition to my work as a Councillor on the QLS I’m also engaged in the following:
- Member of the QLS Executive Committee;
- Member of the QLS Professional Conduct Committee;
- Member of the QLS Committee of Management (that deals with the fidelity fund);
- Member of the QLS Accident and Compensation Law Committee.
I am also a member of the Australian Lawyer’s Association (the ALA) and have held specialist accreditation as a personal injuries lawyer since 1999. I was awarded life membership with the Townsville Community Legal Centre for provision of voluntary legal services in 2007 and I am a current member of the Townsville District Law Association.
Currently, I also serve as a Director of the Mater Health Services North Queensland and serve on their Capital Projects and Mission Committees.
Practice History
I commenced articles of clerkship with Mr Graham Roberts of Roberts Leu and North, Townsville in 1984. This involved working full time whilst studying for a Bachelor of Laws externally through what was initially the Queensland Institute of Technology (later then Queensland University of Technology). After completing the 5 year period of articles and Bachelor of Laws, I was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1989 and remained in Townsville until 1992.
A period of overseas travel followed including a stint working in London. Employment in Townsville continued upon return until December 1999 when I commenced the firm of Purcell Taylor Lawyers with Michael Purcell. The firm underwent incorporation in 2010 to Purcell Taylor Lawyers Pty Ltd of which I remain a Director.
Your Support
I am seeking your support in the following ways:
- Get engaged and vote in the election – voting starts on 4 October and concludes on 16 October 2017;
- I am seeking your vote for me in the role as President and for Elizabeth as Deputy President. We have both dedicated to putting the interests of QLS first and foremost; and
- Please contact your friends and colleagues who are QLS members and encourage them to cast their votes.
Ken Taylor
