The Director of BMG’s Family Law/Domestic Crime and Violence Division was one of 10 Gold Coast lawyers to be recognised for 25 years’ membership of the Queensland Law Society on Thursday night, along with Lisa Clements (Clements & Co) who attended the Celebrate Recognise Socialise event.

Lisa Clements received her 25-year QLS pin.

Jason originally pursued a career in print journalism but changed tack.

“I commenced my law degree from QUT part-time when I was completing my journalism cadetship  with News Corp where my then contemporaries were Hedley Thomas, Peter Gleeson, Paul Whittaker and Greg Stolz, who are all good friends today,” Jason said.

“My grandfather Junzo Murakami was wrongly interned into a Japanese camp in northern New South Wales in 1941 and had all of his assets confiscated by the then Australian Government.

“This injustice inspired me to leave journalism and seek a career in law to protect private citizens.”

And that desire to fight for justice still motivates Jason 25 years on.

“Despite more recent positioning, I still believe a career in the legal profession is a calling,” he said.

“As lawyers we are acting 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the bar for our ethical position should always be much higher than other private citizens.”

And Jason has represented a variety of clients and handled some headline-producing cases including the successful appeal against conviction for Senator Pauline Hanson; the Lacey brothers murder acquittal; the successful Palm Island residents class action against the Queensland Government; and the successful defence of allegations against Emma Roberts-Smith by her former husband Ben Roberts-Smith.

QLS CEO Matt Dunn introduced the recipients.

“In addition to the very serious and high-profile cases I have been fortunate to be involved in, I count my establishment of the Griffith University Innocence Project in 2001 and my 25 years of pro-bono work as one of my greatest achievements which has resulted in my expertise and commentary in relation to the recent DNA enquiry where I acted on a pro-bono basis for Dr Kirsty Wright,” he said.

“I would like to thank the late Doug Leeden, the CEO of Minter Ellison Gold Coast, who gave me my first job and I pay homage to the late William Cuthbert of Counsel Esq, NJ Macgroarty of Counsel Esq, and the late Cedric Hampson QC all of whom I was fortunate to learn much of my legal craft.”

Lisa Clements was one of two female lawyers to be awarded the 25-year pins after being admitted to practice in 1998 and opening her legal partnership 2000.

“I am proud to say that I have been self-employed in the legal industry for over 20 years, retaining representation of many loyal clients over the two decades,” she said. “During this time, I have also mentored many successful young lawyers and feel proud of contributing to the industry in this way.

“I am the founder and legal Director of Clements and Co Law, a busy Gold Coast general practice with a focus on immigration, property and all commercial law facets.

“Law has been extremely rewarding to me personally and professionally, I intend to continue to service clients for many more years. Hopeful to pass the baton to my son who begins his law journey next year.”

Other 25-year pin recipients were Nicholas Radich (Nicholas Radich), Helen Frazer (KLR Law), Ross Percival (RP Law), Michael McMillan (Donnelly Law Group), Brett Lansdown (Ingwersen & Lansdown) and Rhys Evans (Real Time Law)

Visit Source