Her story

Kay Ryan is a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Queensland.Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1992 and the High Court of Australia in 1996, Kay was appointed to the Magistrates Court of Queensland in 2008.An inaugural Director on the board of Australian Women Lawyers, Kay also served as President of Women Lawyers Association of Queensland from 1996 to 1997.

Without mentioning your job title, how would you describe what it is you do now (whether at home, work, in the community, etc.)?

At work, I endeavour to apply the law diligently and fairly to everyone who comes before me. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect.

What are the first three words you think of when you hear the word ‘diversity’?

Inclusiveness, fairness and respect.

What do you think it will take to develop truly diverse thinking within the legal industry?

Acceptance of people from all persuasions, be they First Nations people, migrants, women, people who identify as LGBTQ – really all points of view.

What was your main driver to enter the legal industry?

I wanted to work to assist those less fortunate in the community who found themselves in a position where they faced what could be a baffling legal system. Entering the legal industry also helped satisfy my curiosity with regard to all things legal.