Townsville barrister Claire Grant makes history with King's Counsel appointment

A mother who dragged baby capsules around courtrooms has shattered Queensland's legal glass ceiling, becoming the state's first female King's Counsel outside Brisbane.

Defence barrister Claire Grant has recently been appointed KC (King's Counsel) and shares her journey in law. Picture: Evan Morgan

She is one of Queensland’s most esteemed barristers, having just been appointed the state’s first female King’s Counsel outside of Brisbane, but Townsville’s Claire Grant still remembers dragging baby capsules around the city’s courtrooms.

In a career defined by relentless dedication and unwavering commitment the 41-year-old mother of two knows first-hand how the demands of a life practising law at the highest levels don’t always go hand-in-hand with raising a family.

“I’ve never had maternity leave,” she said.

Her latest monumental achievement of being appointed a King’s Counsel is not just a personal triumph but a historic milestone: she is the first female outside Brisbane to be made silk under the King’s reign, and now stands alongside Justin Gregory at 31 Sturt Chambers as Townsville’s only silks.

“This is probably, and has been said to me by my colleagues is that if you ever are appointed silk, it’s the absolute pinnacle of your career, it’s a real pinch me moment,” Ms Grant said.

King’s Counsel status is reserved for ten per cent of practising lawyers, recognising outstanding advocacy and advisory services.

The rigorous appointment process demands 12 years at the Bar and a stringent assessment of ability, reputation, case successes, and professional contributions.

“It’s a very public, daunting process,” Ms Grant said, detailing how colleagues are invited to provide feedback.

Despite the challenge, she succeeded on her first application, a rarity in a field where multiple attempts are common and credited her colleagues for “bullying” her into applying.

“I was wholly expecting a big fat no,” she said.

Ms Grant’s path to law was, by her own admission, an “accident.”

Initially pursuing an Arts and Law degree at James Cook University for “fun,” she worked as an instructing clerk, then as a crown prosecutor before transitioning to defence.

“I prefer defending because you have the autonomy to run your cases the way you see fit,” she said.

Claire Grant is one of city’s most accomplished lawyers.

The conversation naturally steered to the most common question asked of defence lawyers: “how can you defend those people?”

“You have to learn early on how to divorce your feelings of morality from the strategy and the way forward with the case …” she said.

“And remember that our system of justice is such that everyone has a right to a criminal defence and when you look at it strategically, it’s not about the end game being that a guilty person is acquitted.”

The demanding nature of trial work, however, comes with significant personal cost and described the profession as “fast-paced, high-stress, heaps of pressure and relentless.”

“There’s been plenty of moments where I wanted to walk away,” she said.

For women with family responsibilities, the juggle is more pronounced.

She noted the disparity in senior ranks during child-rearing years, and takes pride in advocating for women in law.

Ms Grant credited her parents for enabling her to remain an active mother to Bridgette and Oliver, taking pride in her involvement in their lives and serving on the school board at The Cathedral School.

It’s difficult to think what’s next for someone who has already hit the highest ceiling in their profession but Ms Grant said the expectation for her to deliver a higher level of work was exciting.

“I’m look forward to the challenge of the next level of cases that will come before me,” she said.

“I’m hopeful that I can maintain my practice predominantly in Townsville. I already travel regularly across the state and this will see me travel more but Townsville will always be my home base.”

Originally published as Townsville barrister Claire Grant makes history with King's Counsel appointment