Interpreters play a critical role in ensuring meaningful access to justice for people who speak languages other than English.

In the latest episode of The Callover, Brisbane-based court interpreter and forensic translator Carl Gene Fordham sat down with host Georgia Athanasellis to talk about the realities of interpreting in legal settings.

Their discussion shed light on the often-unseen role and explores when and how lawyers should engage interpreters, the practical realities of working with clients with limited English, and the challenges that can affect accuracy and fairness in legal proceedings.

To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Callover returns in 2026 with Terry O’Gorman, one of Queensland’s most persistent defenders of civil liberties.
 
As a young law student, Terry witnessed a confronting police crackdown during a protest in the Bjelke Petersen years. It set him on a path that would span five decades in criminal law and public advocacy.
 
In this episode, he talks through some of the moments that shaped his career, the lessons learned from fighting for his clients’ rights, and why he’s still speaking out.

Although retired from private practice, Terry remains deeply engaged in advocating for aspects of the law and its application that require improvement, like disclosure obligations in criminal proceedings.

To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG returns to The Callover for a deeper dive into his remarkable career.

From his “curtain call” case to his memorable work at the United Nations, Justice Kirby reflects on the power of multidisciplinary approaches, the role of alternative dispute resolution, and how technology continues to reshape legal practice.

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 Judge Dženita Balić of the Queensland District Court about her extraordinary journey from refugee to the bench.

After fleeing the Bosnian War and arriving in Australia as a teenager, Judge Balić learned English as her third language, graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2005, and the next 17 years at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where she rose to the position of Principal Crown Prosecutor before being appointed as a Magistrate in 2022. In 2024, her Honour was appointed to the District Court of Queensland.

We discuss her career in criminal law, the qualities that make a great advocate, and why diversity and inclusion are vital for access to justice.

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 leading wills and estates expert Dr John de Groot AM to discuss the importance of succession law, not only for our clients, but also for ourselves.

John has led a distinguished career in law spanning more than 35 years, during which he has authored textbooks and looseleaf publications, and lectured at the University of Queensland. In 2024, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his significant service to law, tertiary education, and the community.

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 outgoing Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall. With a career spanning more than 30 years in community legal advocacy, public policy and social justice, Scott has been a strong and consistent voice for human rights in Queensland.

As his term as Commissioner comes to an end this month, we reflect on his journey through the law, his time at the Commission, and what lies ahead for human rights in the state.

Transcript to come. 

To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.