The Callover

To mark R U OK? Day, The Callover presents a special reprise of an episode from our first season, featuring two guests who share their insights on managing mental health to sustain a long and fulfilling legal career. First, you’ll hear from Professor David Heilpern, a former magistrate now working in academia, who will also be a guest panellist at QLS’s upcoming Mental Health Breakfast on 9 October 2025. Professor Heilpern inspired many in the profession to engage in honest conversations about mental health after his powerful 2017 lecture, “Lifting the Judicial Veil – Vicarious Trauma, PTSD and the Judiciary.” Then, we hear from Melissa Sadlo, a psychologist who discusses when and how to ask a friend, colleague, or even yourself: R U OK? Transcript to come. To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we are once again joined by Stafford Shepherd, the Principal Ethics and Practice Counsel of the Queensland Law Society Ethics and Practice Centre and the Legal Practitioner Director of QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd, a wholly owned incorporated legal practice of QLS.  Stafford talks about conflicts of interest – including how to identify them, the different kinds of conflicts that might arise, and what our professional obligations are. To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we are thrilled to speak with Former Judge Alexander (Sandy) Horneman-Wren SC. A champion of all things regional Queensland – whether that be the development of the legal profession or the arts – he is known for his excellent humour, generosity of spirit and eloquence. Former Judge Horneman-Wren was called to the bar in 1993, took silk in 2009 and was appointed as Judge of the District Court of Queensland in 2012 where he served until December 2024. He has also held appointments in the Children’s Court, the Planning and Environment Court and as Deputy President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. On this episode, we discuss his journey from articled clerk to the bench, and his reflections from a life in the law. Transcript available soon.  To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover we have the immense privilege of speaking with Judge Nathan Jarro. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Jarro practiced as a solicitor, a barrister and a deputy public interest monitor. He has also served as a member of various tribunals, including the Children Services Tribunal, the Mental Health Review Tribunal, and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. When, on 26 March 2018, he was appointed as a judge of the Queensland District Court, he became the first person of Aboriginal heritage to be appointed as a judge of this State. We are honoured that he has agreed to join us to discuss his remarkable career and to celebrate NAIDOC Week for 2025. To read a transcript of this episode:  https://www.qls.com.au/Membership/The-Hub/The-Callover To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we are joined by Emma Hoiberg, Barrister at Level 17 Chambers, to discuss preparing high-quality witness statements — a fundamental skill for effective litigation. Emma’s legal career has spanned a range of impressive roles — from Associate to a High Court Judge, to solicitor at Clayton Utz, and policy officer at the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. Since being called to the Bar in 2015, she has built a strong practice in commercial and public law, with particular expertise in government matters and appellate advocacy. Whether you're new to the law, or looking to refine your skills, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. To read a transcript of this episode:  https://www.qls.com.au/Membership/The-Hub/The-Callover To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we speak with Stafford Shepherd, the Principal Ethics Solicitor of the Queensland Law Society Ethics and Practice Centre and the foundation Legal Practitioner Director of QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd, a wholly owned incorporated legal practice of QLS, about what Legal Professional Privilege is, why it is such a fundamental part of the legal profession, how we can protect it and when - and by whom - it can be waived. To read a transcript of this episode:  https://www.qls.com.au/Membership/The-Hub/The-Callover To find Stafford: linkedin.com/in/stafford-shepherd-06286a8b To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, Peter Applegarth, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, takes us inside the mind of a judge. He shares important insights on how judges deal with problems such as information overload, time-pressured decision-making and cognitive biases. He also explains the importance of lawyers crafting submissions based on how judges think, and the difference this can make to a client’s case before the Court. Justice Applegarth’s insights are valuable to lawyers at all stages of their career.   To read a transcript of this episode: https://www.qls.com.au/Membership/The-Hub/The-Callover Articles written by Applegarth J can be found here: https://www.sclqld.org.au/collections/explore-the-law/judicial-profiles/applegarth-138620?page=1 To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we speak with Stafford Shepherd, the Principal Ethics and Practice Counsel of the Queensland Law Society Ethics and Practice Centre and the Legal Practitioner Director of QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd, a wholly owned incorporated legal practice of QLS, about the fundamentals of billing as a legal practitioner. Billing is not just a financial practice but a critical component of maintaining clients’ trust and upholding ethical standards in the legal profession. In this conversation, we explore the ethical obligations and professional standards that govern what types of work can and can’t be billed, how to draft clear and accurate invoices and the importance of compliance with the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover,  to celebrate International Women’s Day for 2025, we have the privilege of speaking with a trailblazer for women in sport and the legal profession, Moya Dodd AO.Moya has been a Matilda, a football administrator and is now a partner at Gilbert & Tobin.  In 2018, she was ranked 7th in Forbes list of Most Powerful Women in International Sports and, in 2023, was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for her "distinguished service to football as a player and administrator at the national and international level, as a role model to women, and to the law.Stay connected! Follow us for new episode releases: https://www.instagram.com/qldlawsociety/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we are joined the Honourable Justice Elizabeth Wilson and Dr Jane Phillips to discuss the value of expert psychiatric evidence in legal proceedings. Justice Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology in 1995, was admitted to the Bar the following year and, in 2011, was appointed as senior counsel. While at the bar, her Honour practiced in criminal, administrative and constitutional matters. Before being appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 2018 and the President of the Mental Health Court in 2022, Justice Wilson had served as a sessional member of the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and acted as counsel in a number of Commission of Inquiries including the Youth Detention Review in 2016. Dr Jane Phillips is a consultant forensic psychiatrist who specialises in medico-legal psychiatric assessments and reports. Dr Phillips completed her internship and basic psychiatry training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne before completing advanced training in forensic psychiatry at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health. In additional to her work as a forensic psychiatrist, she has worked as a consultant psychiatrist in prisons and Victoria's High Security Forensic Hospital. Dr Phillips has been providing expert evidence to the Mental Health Court since 2011, and has otherwise prepared reports for Legal Aid Queensland, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Parole Board and the Mental Health Review Tribunal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we speak with Edward Santow, a leading voice in human rights and technology to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and the law, human rights and ethics. We discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal landscape, the challenges it presents, and the opportunities it offers for the future of law.   Edward Santow is the Director of Policy and Governance at the Human Technology Institute and an Industry Professor of Responsible Technology at the University of Technology, Sydney. Before that he served as Australia's Human Rights Commissioner from 2016 to 2021.Stay connected! Follow us for new episode releases: https://www.instagram.com/qldlawsociety/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our season finale for 2024, we have the immense honour of speaking with the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CGM. Michael Kirby is a man who needs no introduction. He was called to the Bar in 1967, and in 1975, became the youngest man to hold a federal judicial office when he was appointed as the Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. Later that year he was also appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Australian Law Reform Commission. In 1983, he was appointed as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and in 1984, became the President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. There he served until 1996, when he was appointed as a Justice of the High Court of Australia, a position he held until his retirement from the bench in 2009. In addition to his immense impact on Australia’s jurisprudence, Michael Kirby's career has been marked by a commitment to human rights law reform and social justice. On this episode of The Callover, we discussed his reflections on what has been truly remarkable career and hope for the future of the legal profession.Read more about Justice Kirby here: https://www.michaelkirby.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we speak with Ben Ihle KC, about what sports law actually is and the key legal issues that arise within it. Ben was admitted in 2004, called to the bar the following year and made silk in 2020. He has cultivated a broad practice with a particular focus on tort, criminal, administrative and sports law and appears at both trial and appellate levels. He is recognised internationally as a leading sports lawyer, and regularly represents athletes and sporting associations domestically and internationally, in a variety of tribunals (including the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, the AFL Tribunal and Appeals Board and before the Court of Arbitration for Sport).Stay connected! Follow us for new episode releases: https://www.instagram.com/qldlawsociety/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Callover, we speak with Gavin Rebetzke about the key principles of defamation law, along with some of the recent cases in this space. Gavin grew up in Townsville, studied at James Cook University and the University of Queensland before undertaking his articles at Roberts & Kane Solicitors in 1993. 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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Stay connected! Follow us for new episode releases: https://www.instagram.com/qldlawsociety/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Listen more episodes here:https://www.qls.com.au/Membership/The-Hub/The-CalloverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark RUOK Day 2024, we speak with Desi Vlahos, a lawyer, academic and two-time recipient of the Women in Law Award for “Wellness Advocate of the Year”. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Find the transcript here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.