The Callover

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.

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.