Profile: Monique Alyce Sheppard

There is nothing quite like an argument. I am not talking of an all-fist-in brawl and long are the days where I could practice on my family, but arguing for what is right and what is fair is what attracted me to law. It’s as simple as that.

I grew up in Ingham and attended St Mary’s Catholic College in Cairns for my senior high school years. There, I was fortunate to be awarded the dux in years 11 and 12 and went on to Study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Queensland.

Although I looked forward to the smell of anatomy laboratories on a Thursday afternoon, I realised that my passions lay elsewhere. I completed my Bachelor of Laws
with Honours at James Cook University in 2010. During my degree I firmly decided that being an advocate representing individuals was what I wanted to do each day and I was exceptionally grateful to be permitted to complete work experience with the co-ordinating Magistrate in Cairns.

Upon completing my degree, I worked as an Associate to His Honour Judge Harrison in the District Court in Queensland which was an enlightening experience. The appointment for 12 months was a tremendous opportunity to observe predominately criminal trials, sentences and applications every day in various centres throughout
Queensland. One particularly memorable experience was holding Court in the communities of the Cape where the ten seater plane had to manoeuvre rather tenuous landings on numerous occasions.

Whilst working for His Honour I completed my Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University in 2011 and I was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland at Cairns in November 2011 with the support of my family and friends.

While I might not aspire to the political persuasions of William Garrow, nor seek to acquire the eccentrics of Rumpole of the Bailey (not to mention his hat) I do share a sense of what is fair for every person. Meeting the clients and being able to provide thorough advice so that they may make informed decisions provides me immense satisfaction.
My main area of law which I choose to practice in is criminal law. I ensure the interests of every client who I meet when they are faced criminal offences whether traffic matters, assault complaints, sexual allegations, drug matters, manslaughter or murder.

Removing client’s uncertainties about our criminal justice system and listening to clients is how I njoy to spend each day. I look forward to continuing my career with Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors and working with its team of professional staff who share a vast degree of experience.