The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that the Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice has appointed Ms Elizabeth Shearer to the Queensland Professional Standards Council.
Ms Shearer brings experience from the legal profession to the Councils, and a keen interest in community engagement and consumer protection, holding a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
Ms Shearer has worked as a solicitor in a range of settings from a large commercial law firm to a small suburban practice since being admitted in 1986. She has also worked in policy and academia, before a career as a lawyer and executive manager focused on the delivery of legal services to disadvantaged people.
Ms Shearer now operates Affording Justice, a private law firm offering limited scope representation to clients who do not qualify for free legal services and cannot afford to engage a lawyer in the traditional way. She is also an active member of the Queensland Law Society including as a Senior Counsellor providing support to lawyers facing difficult practice issues.
We welcome Ms Shearer to the Councils and look forward to working with her in this important leadership role to protect Australian consumers by improving professional standards.