Retiring Queensland Court of Appeal President Margaret McMurdo has described her role in opposing the Newman government's "attack" on the state's court system as the pinnacle of her career.

Justice McMurdo clashed with the Newman government multiple times during its three-year reign, most prominently over the controversial - and ultimately short-lived - appointment of Tim Carmody as chief justice.

Outgoing judge Margaret McMurdo has warned "there may be future attacks" on the judiciary. Credit:Dave Hunt

At a packed valedictory ceremony at Brisbane's Banco Court on Friday, she recalled being asked to nominate her career highlight by high school students last year, and finding the answer "easy".

"It was standing with my sister and brother judges of appeal, senior judge administrator and the judges of the trial division between 2013 and 2015 in successfully resisting a calculated and sustained attack on the independence of the Supreme Court of Queensland by some members of the legislature and the print media," she said.