Teresa Dyson, tax partner in Blake Dawson's Brisbane office, was named the 2011 Woman Lawyer of the Year. Diane Ruhl, an associate from Boulton Cleary and Kern and president of Townsville District Law Association took out 2011 QLD Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year.

Di Turner, a senior solicitor at Legal Aid in Townsville and independent practising children's and family lawyer, won the 2011 QLD Regional Woman Lawyer of the Year.

The annual awards were open to any woman holding a law degree and actively involved in the legal profession or a law-related field in QLD. Nominees had to demonstrate professional excellence and integrity in their field and awareness for the needs and concerns of women's advancement in the law.

Dyson was recognised for her contribution to the advancement of women lawyers, especially in her support for flexible work practices, as well as social justice causes.

In 2000 she set up the first pro-bono on site legal clinic in a drop off centre at Lou's Place in Kings Cross, which has now become the model for these programs in other clinics across Australia.

Dyson was also recently invited to attend the Federal Government's Tax Forum in October as one of only two lawyers among 184 business, industry, community and political leaders.

Turner was recognised with the regional award for her work at North Queensland Women's Legal Service in Townsville and the Rural Women's Outreach Legal Service where she focussed solely on the needs of women throughout Queensland.

Ruhl, the Emergent Woman Lawyer recipient, began her career in 2008, and was promoted to an associate within two and a half years of admission. She is a sessional member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and a Captain in the Australian Army (Reserves).