QLD | International Women’s Day Panel Discussion
Brisbane, Queensland + Online
18 March 2026
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm AEST
Queensland Law Society, 179 Ann Street,
Brisbane, Queensland
+ Online
1 hrs
Kara Best
Nicky Davies
Linda Smith
| Topic | Leadership | |
| Type | Seminar | |
| CPD | 1 - Practice Management and Business Skills | |
| Pricing | AUD $79 |
| Full Member | Free |
| Online Member | AUD $39.50 |
| Affiliate | Free |
| Associate Member | AUD $39.50 |
Current Supporting Partners - Free (Contact us for assistance)
Non-members must be eligible for alpma membership to attend.
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Proudly Supported By
Presented by
Kara Best, Brisbane Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Nicky Davies, Legal Aid Queensland
Linda Smith, Challenge DV
This International Women’s Day, we gather under the United Nations’ 2026 global theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls.”
As the UN reminds us, “Without justice systems that work for women, rights become a promise that never arrives.” This event brings together leaders in the legal and community sectors to explore the urgent need for justice systems that truly uphold and protect the rights of women and girls.Join us for a powerful panel discussion aimed at amplifying our collective voice and shining a light on the structural barriers that continue to limit equal access to justice. Together, we will examine fundamental rights—and consider what meaningful action and reform look like in 2026 and beyond.
Chair
- Ann-Marie David, College of Law
Speakers
- Her Honour Judge Kara Best
- Nicky Davies, CEO, Legal Aid Queensland
- Representative from Challenge DV
Presented by
Kara Best
Judge at Brisbane Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Judge Kara Best serves in the Brisbane Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), following her appointment as a judge in September 2025.
She was admitted as a barrister in 2001 and as a solicitor in 2004, beginning her legal career at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions before working as an associate to several judicial officers. She was a founding partner at Best Wilson Buckley Family Law. She earned Specialist Accreditation in Family Law from the Queensland Law Society in 2007 and joined the Independent Children’s Lawyer Panel with Legal Aid Queensland in 2009.
Judge Best is also an accredited mediator and arbitrator. Prior to her judicial appointment, she served as a Senior Judicial Registrar of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia from 2021.
She is recognised for her depth of experience in family law, her commitment to improving access to justice, and her leadership within the legal profession.
Nicky Davies
CEO at Legal Aid Queensland
Nicky Davies is the Chief Executive Officer of Legal Aid Queensland, appointed to the role in March 2021 after a long career with the organization since 1996. She is an experienced lawyer, specializing in family law and child protection, and was awarded the QLS Proctor President’s Medal in 2024 for her service.
Linda Smith
General Manager at Challenge DV
Linda Smith is the General Manager of Challenge DV, a Queensland-based domestic and family violence prevention charity delivering large-scale community events, workplace training, and school and sporting club education programs.
She leads strategic partnerships across government, corporate, and community sectors, driving sustainable funding, sponsorship, and program growth. Linda is passionate about building community capacity to recognise, respond to, and prevent domestic and family violence through practical, evidence-informed education initiatives.
