Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Defamation, with Gavin Rebetzke
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He was admitted in 1995 and continued to work in that general practice in Brisbane, where he later became partner in 2000. In 2007, Gavin was called to the Bar and has been practicing in a variety of matters since, with a special interest in defamation.
The lawyer who ran around the world, with Tim Franklin
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As we continue this month of promoting health and wellbeing in the profession, we speak with Tim Franklin, the lawyer turned ultra-marathon runner, triathlon coach and motivational speaker who has recently become one of 8 people to have quite literally run around the world.
Join us as we discuss his incredible adventure and what we, as a profession, can learn from it.
Prioritising Wellness this RUOK Day, with Desi Vlahos
As a mental health first aider, the founder of Wellceum, a company that aims to help other organisations improve wellbeing, health and safety outcomes, and a Commissioner of the International Bar Associations’ Wellbeing Commission, Desi has dedicated her career to tackling poor mental health among lawyers globally.
On this episode of The Callover, join us as we speak about the current state of the profession and how we can do more to increase mental wellbeing across the profession.
Young Migration Lawyer Making a Difference, with Palwasha Nawabi
Palwasha Nawabi is part of a generation of young lawyers seeking to make a positive impact on society.
In 2023, Palwasha was awarded the Law Council of Australia – Australian Young Lawyers Award in recognition of her significant achievement in leading the operational and administrative aspect of a pro bono initiative which resulted in the successful procurement of 90 subclass 449 visas for many Afghan women and their families and permanent residence visas for those who chose to settle in Australia.
Keep the Fire Burning this NAIDOC Week, with Justice Crowley
In celebration of NAIDOC Week, we have the pleasure of speaking with the Honourable Justice Lincoln Crowley.
His Honour grew up in Charters Towers and is a proud descendant of the Warramunga peoples. Since joining the legal profession in 1996, Justice Crowley has had a varied and impressive career. He has worked at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in Townsville, for the Queensland and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, within the New South Wales’ Crown Solicitors’ Office, at the private bar and as the senior counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
In 2018, Justice Crowley became the first Indigenous person to be appointed as Queen's Counsel in Queensland, and on 13 June 2022, became Australia’s first Indigenous judge of a superior court when he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
On this episode of The Callover, we discuss his life in the law and why representation and diversity are important within the legal profession.
Insights into Legal Aid Queensland and the work of Independent Children’s Lawyers with Nicky Davies
Nicky Davies is a Family Lawyer, Independent Children’s Lawyer, and Chief Executive Officer of Legal Aid Queensland. Earlier this year, she was recognised for her contribution to the legal profession when she was awarded the Queensland Law Society’s President’s Medal. On this episode of The Callover, we discuss the work of Legal Aid and explore the important role that independent children’s lawyers play in in court proceedings.
Lessons for lawyers from Robodebt with Justin Greggery KC
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The Robodebt Scheme, introduced in late 2016, used income averaging techniques derived from data held by the ATO to raise debts and implement a reverse onus on recipients to disprove the amounts owed. The Scheme was ultimately found to have been unlawful and the failings of the scheme were far reaching. On this episode of The Callover, hear from Justin Greggery KC, the Senior Counsel Assisting in the Royal Commission into Robodebt Scheme as he explains what lawyers should learn from the Royal Commission’s findings.
Justin has been practicing for over 20 years. From 2000 to 2006, he prosecuted numerous trials and appeals for the Director of Public Prosecution in Queensland before commencing private practice in 2006 and developing additional areas of practice including tort, administrative, commercial and succession law. In 2017, Justin was appointed as a King’s Counsel. He has served on the Bar Council for the Bar Association of Queensland and is currently the Ethics Counsellor for the Bar Association Queensland and the President of the North Queensland Bar Association.
Insights into the Queensland Law Reform Commission with Chair Fleur Kingham
On this episode of The Callover, we have the Honourable Fleur Kingham to discuss her life in the law, her most recent appointment as Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission, and the criminal defences review that is currently underway.
Chair Kingham’s extensive contributions to the legal community in Queensland are quite remarkable. She graduated from law at the University of Queensland in 1982 and went on to become a founding member of the Women's Legal Service in Queensland and the Arts Law Centre of Queensland. She has been a barrister, university lecturer, mediator and facilitator, the first deputy president of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, a Judge of the Queensland District Court, the Children's Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court and the President of the Land Court. Most recently, in April 2023, she was appointed Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
Inspiring Inclusion this International Women's Day with Michelle May AM KC
On this International Women's Day, we celebrate the extraordinary strides of women across social, economic, cultural, legal, and political spheres. In keeping with this spirit, we bring you a true leader of the legal profession, the Honourable Michelle May AM KC, on The Callover podcast to take us through her life in the law.
Michelle was admitted to the bar in 1978 and when she became Queen's Counsel in 1993, she was the first barrister with a predominantly family law practice to achieve that level of seniority. In 1995, she became the first female judge of the Family Court, and after 22 years, she retired from the bench in 2017, and returned to the Bar. In that year, she was also appointed a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her significant service to law, judicial administration and professional associations.
Unpacking the Job Readiness Survey with Rolf Moses
On this episode of The Callover, we speak with the Queensland Law Society’s outgoing CEO Rolf Moses to discuss the 2022 Job Readiness Survey conducted by the QLS in conjunction with researchers at Bond University.
Rolf explains the survey results and what the QLS hope to achieve with this added insight into the profession's views on law graduates and newly admitted lawyers entering the profession.
Reflections on Life in the Law with Walter Sofronoff KC
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Walter Sofronoff KC has a formidable resume. He was called to the Bar in 1978, made silk ten years later and went on to become the President of the Bar Association, the President of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, the Solicitor General of Queensland, and then in 2017, the President of the Queensland Court of Appeal.
Since his retirement from the bench in 2022, Mr Sofronoff has led the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland and, most recently, the Board of Inquiry into the criminal justice system in the Australian Capital Territory.
On this episode of The Callover, he joins us to discuss the art of advocacy, the importance of professional ethics and other lessons learned from his incredible career.
Life as an In-House Lawyer with Mel Scott
On this episode of The Callover, we speak to Mel Scott, Senior Legal Counsel at Megaport, a global technology company. Mel has worked in-house for nearly a decade, after deciding to take the leap from a top tier firm just three years post admission. Long before she was awarded the Queensland Law Society’s 2023 In-House Counsel of the Year Award, Mel has been a passional advocate for in-house lawyers. You may have also seen her on Instagram and TikTok under the moniker @inhouselawyer or heard her on her podcast, Counsel.
On each platform – and in this interview – she shares insights into life as an in-house lawyer and demystifies (and destigmatises) the move in house for law students and young lawyers.
Understanding Mental Health First Aid this R U OK? Day with Denise Marshall
War, Law and Business: A conversation about International humanitarian law with Fauve Kurnadi
The findings of the Commission of Inquiry into forensic DNA testing with the Honourable Justice David Boddice
Good journalism and the legal system with Russell Marks
Climate justice with Jo-Anne Bragg OAM
The future of continuing legal education with Professor Nick James
How to prepare for your first trial or sentence with Nick Dore
Youth Justice Law reform with QLS Vice President, Rebecca Fogerty
The benefits of a diverse profession with The Honourable Anthe Philippides
The Forensic Disability Service (FDS) and why it's so important with Dr John Chesterman, the Public Advocate
Season Finale with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Honourable Helen Bowskill
Mentoring and keeping a “smile file” with Joelene Nel
R UOK Day special with retired Magistrate, David Heilpern AM, and Psychologist, Melissa Sadlo
Taking combat out of conflict with Anne-Marie Rice
First Nations People and our Legal System with Joshua Creamer
Career growth and alternative career paths with Midja Fisher
Reflections on a life in the law with Bruce Cowley
Making mistakes and navigating ethical issues
International Women's Day Special with the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC
Dealing with controversial clients and the adversarial courtroom
How to make it as a young lawyer
What does a Lawyer look like in 2022?
