We’re excited to share that Brittany Byrne, Practice Leader and and Lisa Qiu, Partner at Citation Legal, have been named among the standout female leaders in Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women list for 2026.

In June, Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer invited legal professionals across Australia and New Zealand to nominate outstanding female leaders for the 2026 Elite Women list – a special report celebrating women who combine legal excellence with authenticity, resilience and people-focused leadership.

Nominators were asked to show how their nominee is shaping the future of law, from mentoring future talent to driving change within their organisations and communities.

To determine the final list, the Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer editorial teams reviewed all nominations, examining each individual’s meaningful contribution to the profession.

Based in our Brisbane office, Brittany is a trusted adviser and technical expert in workplace and industrial relations law. She is known for her pragmatic, commercial approach to disputes and complex litigation, and is passionate about empowering clients with the knowledge and tools to navigate courts and tribunals with confidence.

Based in our Sydney office, Lisa brings a unique dual perspective across employment and business migration law, and was promoted to Partner at Citation Legal in July 2025. Beyond her practice, Lisa is committed to making law accessible to all. She has volunteered with Diverse Women in Law, mentors junior lawyers within our team and has taught Anti-Discrimination Law at Western Sydney University.

Brittany and Lisa were both humbled to learn of their nomination and inclusion in the 2026 list.

For more information and access to the full list of Elite Women, please click here.