The Callover

Hosted by Queensland Law Society

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

The Callover is a Queensland Law Society podcast created by young lawyers, for young lawyers. The QLS Future Leaders Committee is dedicated to inspiring a generation of connected, capable and healthy young lawyers. Join us, as we invite guests to share their experiences in the law, unpack issues relevant to young lawyers and gain some insights into the future of lawyering. Theme music courtesy https://tunereel.com

Listen to episodes

57 recent

May 15, 202651 min

Helen Garner: Where Law Meets Story

On this episode of The Callover, we are joined by acclaimed Australian writer Helen Garner. Known for her unflinching observations of human behaviour, her works Joe Cinque’s Consolation and This House of Grief are powerful accounts drawn from the courtroom. Garner has also been asked to participate in workshops, helping judges refine their writing to improve clarity and accessibility. In this conversation, she reflects on her fascination with the legal system, her observations from many hours spent in court rooms, and how storytelling, precision and clarity shape legal practice. To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 2, 202634 min

Lattouf v ABC: Shannon Chapman discusses Unlawful Termination, Political Opinion and the Modern Workplace

One of the most high-profile unlawful termination cases in recent years, Lattouf v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (No 2), thrust employment law into the national spotlight. In this episode of The Callover, host Georgia Athanasellis is joined by Shannon Chapman, a Partner practising in employment, industrial relations and safety at Lander & Rogers, to unpack the decision and its wider implications. With nearly two decades of experience, Shannon explains the background to the case, the Court’s reasoning, and what the decision means for both employees and employers, when it comes to political opinion, social media use, and conduct inside and outside of the workplace. To find Georgia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-athanasellis-21713715a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 26, 202640 min

The Language of Justice: Carl Gene Fordham on Interpretation, Fairness and the Courts

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.

January 30, 202655 min

Holding Power to Account: Terry O’Gorman on Rights, Reform and the Law

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.

December 10, 20251 hr 11 min

Inside the Law and Change with the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG

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.

November 14, 202557 min

From refugee to the District Court: a conversation with Judge Dženita Balić

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.

October 22, 202535 min

Succession law with Dr John de Groot AM

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.

October 1, 202552 min

A Life in Advocacy with Scott McDougall

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.

September 11, 202546 min

R U OK? Day Special with Professor David Heilpern and Melissa Sadlo

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.

September 2, 202516 min

Conflict of interest, with Stafford Shepherd

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.