Cairns lawyer Bianca Stafford heads FNQ Law Association

Mentored by beloved solicitor Melissa Nielsen, Cairns legal eagle Bianca Stafford is leading the charge of female solicitors to smash through glass ceilings.

LEGAL eagle Bianca Stafford has taken the reins of the FNQ Law Association and with her committee has broken through a decade-long glass ceiling.

Ms Stafford, from Maurice Blackburn’s Cairns office, last month took over as president of the association, the first female to be appointed to the position in 12 years.

She heads an all-female committee, the first at the association for 13 years.

The associate solicitor was admitted in 2014 and practices exclusively in wills and estates, advising clients locally in Queensland.

“I’m proud to lead an all-female executive,” Ms Stafford said.

Kristyn Knox, also from Maurice Blackburn’s Cairns office, is the new vice-president, and Kelsey Leahy and Jerry Tucker from BELAW are secretary and treasurer.

Both Ms Stafford and Ms Knox are Cairns locals, having attended St Monica’s College and TAS respectively.

Ms Stafford went on to study law at James Cook University and Ms Knox achieved her degree at the Queensland University of Technology.

“The committee really is a sign of the times,” Ms Stafford said.

“Just over half the solicitors holding practising certificates in the region are women.

“We have a very collegial legal community in Cairns ... it’s definitely not like that in Brisbane. We are definitely lucky here.”

In her new role, Ms Stafford finds herself as a role model in the same spirit as her mentor, the late Melissa Nielsen.

“Hopefully I can follow in her footsteps,” she said.

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“She was a very kind and welcoming solicitor, she always had her door open and I definitely will try to adopt those qualities in my practice.”

For those working through a law degree, she has some words of wisdom.

“Say yes to every opportunity to volunteer,” Ms Stafford said.

“It gives back to the community and shows people what are your interests.”

The association represents the interests of local lawyers and provides a professional and social forum for its 130 members.

“We run regular events relating to practitioners in the region and distribute regular information to our members,” Ms Stafford said.

Her journey into the law began as a 50-50 bet with commerce at uni.

“It was Mum and Dad who suggested I do law, in case it turned out I didn’t like figures,” Ms Stafford said.

“They were right. I now have a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce.

“But accounting wasn’t for me.”

Her field is one not often thought about until it is suddenly the most important thing on the horizon.

“I believe everyone should be able to access high-quality succession law advice. Having the backing of a national social justice firm means we can help people who can’t afford a lawyer,” Ms Stafford said.

“A lot of people don’t have wills in place, which can be devastating for your family. When there’s no will in place, that’s where a lot of disputes arise.

“When someone you love passes away it can often feel like the hardest time you have ever been through and if you find you have been left out of a will it can be devastating.

“I’m passionate about helping my clients achieve a positive outcome, which in some cases can be life changing.”

One of her clients was delivered a second chance at life thanks to some timely intervention.

“This gentleman’s father passed away and he had been left out of the will,” Ms Stafford said.

“He was living in community housing, had no super, no assets, no car, just a few dollars in his bank account.

“We were able to achieve a good outcome for him which means he will have a stable future and not have to worry about having a roof over his head.”

The legal profession took its fair share of lumps during the pandemic lockdown but Ms Stafford said the future was bright despite the changes COVID wrought in the way the law was practised.

“It has shown us we have the ability to work remotely and provide good legal advice no matter where they are located,” she said. “Last year regulations were put in place which allowed wills and powers of attorney to be witnessed virtually, and lawyers could appear in court virtually.”

Originally published as Cairns lawyer Bianca Stafford heads FNQ Law Association