Mrs Kirstie Smith

Biography

I am a Mununjali, Yugembeh woman practicing in criminal law with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Services – Toowoomba (ATSILS) on Giabal and Jarowair country. I grew up 'on country' in Beaudesert graduating from the local public school. I am the first person in my immediate family to not only finish high school, but also go to university.

I hold a dual Bachelor of Law and Arts – majoring in International Relations having graduated from Uni SQ Toowoomba in 2020 with distinction in both disciplines. In 2019, through Uni SQ and AIM Overseas I received a scholarship to study ‘International Relations and Politics in the European Union’ at Maastricht University, Netherlands on exchange. This allowed me to spend 6 weeks in the European Union studying.

I am a mother of three, whom I raised while studying a double degree and working full time at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. After admission in November 2020, I left prosecutions for the chance to represent the community at the local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.

My experience working on both sides of criminal law, allowed my clients the confidence of having culturally supportive and sensitive representation from a female Aboriginal criminal lawyer. In addition to duty lawyer, District Court and Children’s Court duties, I was also the ATSILS Murri Court lawyer in Toowoomba. The Murri Court greatly relieves the pressure on the Queensland criminal justice system and improves 'closing the gap' outcomes for Aboriginal peoples whose lives have intersected with the criminal justice system.

Employment

Teaching

Criminal Law and Procedure LAW1121/5121

Professional Membership