The Community Legal Centres Queensland 2023 State Conference will bring the community legal sector together to develop new skills, increase knowledge and collaborate with others.
The conference will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, 23 Leichhardt St, Spring Hill on 31 May and 1 June .
With the theme, Connect, Respect, Reflect, the 2023 State Conference will explore a range of topics including the importance of integrated practice, climate change resilience, women as respondents and misidentification, governance and more.
Download the 2023 Community Legal Centres Queensland Conference Program here.
Registrations for the 2023 Community Legal Centres Queensland State Conference are now open!
To register go to: https://events.humanitix.com/community-legal-centres-queensland-2023-state-conference
Early bird registrations close at 5pm on Thursday, May 4.
All registrations close at 5pm on Friday, May 19.
In-person registration (2 day or 1 day option) includes access to conference sessions, catering and the networking event.
Additional tickets to the networking event are available.
Click here to read the 2023 CLCQ Conference T&Cs
First Nations Scholarships
Thanks to sponsors – Minter Ellison, Herbert Smith Freehills, Queensland Law Society and QLeave – Community Legal Centres Queensland is offering a limited number of scholarships for First Nations CLC staff to attend the 2023 conference. For more information and to apply: First Nations Scholarship Applications
2 Day Registration (CLCQ Member)
Early Bird (available until 5pm, Thursday 4 May)
$425
Full Price (available until 5pm, Friday 19 May)
$450
2 Day Registration (Non-Member)
Early Bird (available until 5pm, Thursday 4 May)
$500
Full Price (available until 5pm, Friday 19 May)
$550
1 Day Registration (CLCQ Member)
Early Bird (available until 5pm, Thursday 4 May)
$250
Full Price (available until 5pm, Friday 19 May)
$275
1 Day Registration (Non-Member)
Early Bird (available until 5pm, Thursday 4 May)
$300
Full Price (available until 5pm, Friday 19 May)
$350
Networking Event ONLY
(Wed 31/5 5-7pm)
Early Bird (available until 5pm, Thursday 4 May)
$50
Full Price (available until 5pm, Friday 19 May)
$65
The 2023 Community Legal Centres Queensland is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers is Australia’s #1 plaintiff law firm.
We believe everybody deserves access to justice, not just those who can afford it.
When you need support with a legal issue, it can feel daunting. That’s why for over 100 years, we’ve been helping and guiding our clients with their legal needs.
We’ve helped over 500,000 Australians turn their situation around. Our expert lawyers help people who have been injured at work, on the road, in a public place, as a result of poor medical treatment or by institutions who have a duty of care, as well as superannuation & insurance claims and wills & estates.
We also act in significant social justice cases and lead class actions on behalf of people who have experienced mass wrongdoing.
We employ over 1,000 of the country’s brightest, most compassionate and determined minds. With local knowledge and a national network of experts, we have the experience you can count on.
MinterEllison’s Pro Bono and Community Investment Program is driven by a deep commitment to addressing cycles of disadvantage and creating systemic change, across four interconnected pillars: human rights and access to justice, homelessness (including domestic and family violence), empowering youth, and alleviation of poverty. The program is designed to create positive impact for our community, not only through pro bono legal advice but also through other non-legal assistance to our community partners, including other skilled volunteering or in-kind assistance, amplifying fundraising and awareness campaigns, and providing charitable giving support.
The Brisbane MinterEllison office is proud to maintain strong partnerships with Community Legal Centres Queensland (CLCQ), as well as several of the community legal centres that comprise its membership. Together, the work of these organisations goes towards addressing all of the four of our Program pillars and most particularly through enhancing access to justice.
As always, MinterEllison’s sponsorship of the 2023 CLCQ State conference is targeted towards funding transport costs of people from rural, regional and remote community legal centres to attend. We understand that there are significant and unique barriers to access to justice in rural, regional and remote areas, and fully support enhancing the opportunities available to community legal centres offering services in these areas.
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Community Legal Centres Queensland State Conference, and to support CLCQ’s scholarships to increase the participation of First Nations delegates at this year’s Conference.
HSF is a leading global law firm with over 5000 people across 26 offices worldwide. Our Australian offices are located in Brisbane/Meanjin, Melbourne/Naarm, Sydney/Warrang, and Perth/Boorloo. HSF’s Pro Bono legal practice is impact-driven and includes systemic advocacy and pro bono legal advice and casework for individuals, charities and NGOs. Supporting First Nations organisations and communities is a core part of our pro bono practice. We also have particular expertise partnering with CLCs to advocate for people with disability and women experiencing homelessness and their families. HSF has a longstanding history of working with CLCs and charities to increase access to justice for the community, including by supporting Queensland-based pro bono clients such as the LawRight Community Health Justice Partnerships, the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS), Yalari and Youngcare.
The UQ Pro Bono Centre facilitates opportunities for law students to undertake voluntary work with the not-for-profit sector (primarily community legal centres).
Our mission is to be a nationally recognised leader in the development, promotion and provision of student pro bono legal services. Through our work, we will inspire students to understand the value and importance of access to justice, and to graduate from law school with a lifelong professional commitment to pro bono legal service.
Hopgood Gamin are a full service national commercial and family law firm with a dedicated pro bono legal practice. We are more than 280 people, working across 20+ disciplines for local and international clients. We use our legal expertise, platform and profile to deliver impact and outcomes through pro bono legal services.
Our three pro bono priorities are to work with First Nations communities so that they can achieve the outcomes they want to achieve; to mitigate the impact of environmental disasters and to reduce domestic and family violence.
Our three impact icons, created by Yaegl artist, Frances Belle Parker, provide a visual representation of our pro bono priority areas.
Queensland Law Society (QLS) is the peak representative body for the legal profession in Queensland, providing leadership, guidance and support for more than 13,000 members, across all categories.
QLS empowers good lawyers, advocates for good law and serves the public good by providing a clear and passionate voice for solicitors and the legal profession in Queensland. We engage with government, the public and the legal community on issues of importance to the profession.
In 2023, QLS will celebrate 150 years since the formation of the first law society in Queensland on 7 August, 1873 with just 15 solicitors, in response to the need to provide leadership, guidance, and support to the emerging legal profession in Queensland. While the profession has grown and changed immeasurably over that time, the purpose of the society – Good Law – Good Lawyers – Public Good – remains unchanged.
Founded over a century ago, Colin Biggers & Paisley is one of the most established legal practices in the country. As a national Australian legal practice, we deliver high calibre legal services and we aim to do so in a responsible way.
The Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation was established in 2015 as a way of bringing together our entire community offering. It comprises three streams – pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions.
The Foundation’s focus areas are women, children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a deeper focus on access to justice for those experiencing domestic and family violence, gender equality, increasing education and employment opportunities for young people, and protecting the cultural and legal rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We are committed to improving access to justice, reducing unmet legal need and playing a leading role in making the justice system work better.
Holding Redlich is a large national commercial law firm with offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.
We provide solutions tailored to our clients’ needs, underpinned by the very best legal thinking and expert industry knowledge.
But it takes much more than great law to build enduring partnerships – our aim with every client. We understand that our role is to look after our clients and their best interests.
We see it as our responsibility to use our skills and resources to help others in the community.
Our people contribute their time and expertise to work on pro bono matters and other community initiatives, with a particular focus on alleviating disadvantage, advancing reconciliation, improving access to justice and promoting sustainability.
Our community strategy focuses on using our skills and resources to benefit the community across a range of pillars, including pro bono, reconciliation, the environment, philanthropy and responsible sourcing.
QLeave provides portable long service leave for the community services industry. The scheme started in January 2021 and rewards workers for their service to the industry by making sure they receive long service leave benefits after seven years’ service, regardless of how many employers they work for.
Visit the QLeave booth to find out more about portable long service leave, your eligibility and how to ensure you’re receiving your service credits towards your well-earned break.
DLA Piper is a multinational law firm with offices in more than 40 countries around the world. It is one of the largest law firms globally and provides a broad range of legal services to clients across various industries.
DLA Piper is committed to social responsibility and actively engages in pro bono work and community initiatives.
DLA Piper’s pro bono mission is to pursue justice in our communities and around the world by strengthening access to justice, particularly for children and asylum seekers. Through New Perimeter, DLA Piper’s global pro bono initiative, we provide pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world to support access to justice, social and economic development and sound legal institutions.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers is Australia’s #1 plaintiff law firm.
We believe everybody deserves access to justice, not just those who can afford it.
When you need support with a legal issue, it can feel daunting. That’s why for over 100 years, we’ve been helping and guiding our clients with their legal needs.
We’ve helped over 500,000 Australians turn their situation around. Our expert lawyers help people who have been injured at work, on the road, in a public place, as a result of poor medical treatment or by institutions who have a duty of care, as well as superannuation & insurance claims and wills & estates.
We also act in significant social justice cases and lead class actions on behalf of people who have experienced mass wrongdoing.
The UQ Pro Bono Centre facilitates opportunities for law students to undertake voluntary work with the not-for-profit sector (primarily community legal centres).
Our mission is to be a nationally recognised leader in the development, promotion and provision of student pro bono legal services. Through our work, we will inspire students to understand the value and importance of access to justice, and to graduate from law school with a lifelong professional commitment to pro bono legal service.
The Australian Services Union covers 130,000 members nationally. We understand your work, the unique contribution you make and what’s required to make your job fairer and better, while making sure you’re protected at work.
Our union stands up for your rights and fair pay, and can help develop your career for faster progression. We work together with all ASU members to deliver real benefits in your workplace.
Queensland Law Society (QLS) is the peak representative body for the legal profession in Queensland, providing leadership, guidance and support for more than 13,000 members, across all categories.
QLS empowers good lawyers, advocates for good law and serves the public good by providing a clear and passionate voice for solicitors and the legal profession in Queensland. We engage with government, the public and the legal community on issues of importance to the profession.
As one of the world’s largest toll road developers and operators, our business is to keep cities moving and get people where they want to go as quickly and safely as possible.
Since opening CityLink in Melbourne in 1999, our company has grown to include 21 toll roads in Australia, the United States and Canada, including six toll roads in South East Queensland (The Gateway and Logan Motorways, Go Between Bridge, AirportlinkM7, Legacy Way, Clem7 tunnels).
Our purpose -to strengthen communities through transport- underpins all that we do. We know life doesn’t always go to plan, and when it doesn’t our dedicated Linkt Assist team are ready to help, assessing each customer situation on a case-by-case basis and working with customers to provide assistance tailored to their circumstances.
Visit the team to find out more or go to www.linkt.com.au/linkt-assist.
The Family Law Pathways Network is funded by the Australian Government. Consisting of 36 Family Law Pathways Networks covering most urban and rural areas, the Network aims to improve collaboration and coordination between organisations and professionals operating within the broader family law system.
Via professional development events, development and provision of resources and networking opportunities, each Network provides family law professionals in their area the opportunity to strengthen working relationships, develop appropriate referral mechanisms and enhance understanding of the services available within the sector, to encourage best practice in assisting Australian families as they navigate the challenging time of separation.
QLeave provides portable long service leave for the community services industry. The scheme started in January 2021 and rewards workers for their service to the industry by making sure they receive long service leave benefits after seven years’ service, regardless of how many employers they work for.
Visit the QLeave booth to find out more about portable long service leave, your eligibility and how to ensure you’re receiving your service credits towards your well-earned break.
With You: Mental Health Training Project
Our team are speaking to people across Australia to design training for lawyers who work with people experiencing poor mental health or suicidality. We believe the people most affected by services should
have the biggest say in what they look like.
Your views will ensure that the training is practical and tailored to your day-to-day work and your clients.
We want to speak to lawyers, support staff and other professionals, particularly people with experience working in the legal assistance sector.
You can find out more information about the project on the Mental Health Training Project website.
Two masterclasses will be held in conjunction with the 2023 Community Legal Centres Queensland State Conference.
To register for a masterclass you MUST be work for a CLCQ member organisation. Spaces in the masterclasses are limited!
Predictable miscommunication: improving legal communication with people who speak English as an additional language
Time: Tuesday 30 May, 9am to 5pm
Location: DLA Piper – Queen St, Brisbane
Cost: $100
Presented by: Ben Grimes – ARDS Aboriginal Corporation
More information: Click here
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/predictable-miscommunication-ben-grimes-masterclass
Who’s who in the government zoo (and what do they do?)
Time: Friday 2 June 9am to 5pm
Location: DLA Piper – Queens St, Brisbane
Presented by: Rachel Healy and Anna Moynihan
More information: Click here
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/who-s-who-in-the-government-zoo-masterclass
FAQs
Who should attend the conference?
This conference is for community legal sector workers and volunteers, centre directors/CEOs, pro bono lawyers, social workers, academics, and government justice and legal sector employees and decision-makers.
How do I know if I am a member?
See our list of members here. If you work for one of these community legal centres, then you are a member.
How do I register and can I pay via an invoice?
Registration is available here (insert link). You can register multiple people and pay via credit card or be issued an invoice. Early Bird entries close on Friday, 21 April and all in-person registrations close on Friday, 12 May.
What’s included in the cost of registrations?
In-person registration includes access to conference sessions, catering and the networking event.
The online option includes access to plenary session/s you register for.
Is there an online option?
No – this year’s conference is in-person only.
Will the conference be accessible?
The venue is accessible via lift.
If you have specific access requirements, please notify CLCQ by indicating your requirements during the registration process.
Is there accommodation at the conference venue?
Yes, there is accommodation available at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. There are also a number of accommodation providers in walking distance.
How do I get to the venue?
The Hotel Grand Chancellor is on the outskirts of the CBD but conveniently located near Roma Street and Central Train Stations and serviced by a number of busses. See Translink to plan your journey.
Parking is also available at the venue.
Can I bring extra colleagues to the networking event?
Yes – Networking Event Only tickets are available. The networking event will take place from 5-7pm on Wednesday, 31 May.
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes – Transfers can be made by the registered person in writing to communications@communitylegalqld.org.au by 5pm, Friday 12 May 2023.
Details must include the full name of the replacement person/s, their title, contact phone number, email address and dietary requirements. All other registration details will be carried over to the new person/s unless otherwise specified.
Registrations are individual and cannot be shared amongst individuals.
Can I cancel my registration?
Yes – cancellations must be made in writing to communications@communitylegalqld.org.au. Delegates are entitled to a refund if the cancellation is received on or before 5pm Friday, 12 May 2023. Each cancellation incurs a 20% administrative fee based on the original fee paid.
Delegates are not entitled to a refund of the registration fees if the cancellation is received after 5pm Friday, 12 May 2023.
Further questions?
Email communications@communitylegalqld.org.au
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully
COVID-19
As a condition of attendance, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers must agree to adhere to all Covid-safe measures put in place at the 2023 Community Legal Centres Queensland (CLCQ) State Conference by the venue, and all federal or state guidelines and you acknowledge that these measures may be changed at any time in accordance with the latest health advice from state and federal governments.
PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION
The payment of the registration is made either by credit card at the time of registrations or invoice. Full payment must be paid within the terms of the invoice and must be paid prior to the commencement of the event.
DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION
To qualify for early bird registration, registrations must be completed by 5pm on Friday, 21 April 2023.
LATE REGISTRATION
CLCQ cannot guarantee the availability of late registrations.
TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION
All fully paid registrations are transferable to other persons from the same organisation. Transfers can be made by the registered person in writing to communications@communitylegalqld.org.au by 5pm, Friday 12 May 2023. Details must include the full name of the replacement person/s, their title, contact phone number, email address and dietary requirements. All other registration details will be carried over to the new person/s unless otherwise specified. Registrations are individual and cannot be shared amongst individuals.
NON-ATTENDANCE/NO-SHOWS
No refund will be made for non-attendance at the 2023 CLCQ State Conference, social events or masterclasses.
CANCELLATION OF THE REGISTRATION BY THE DELEGATE
All cancellations must be made in writing to communications@communitylegalqld.org.au. Delegates are entitled to a refund if the cancellation is received on or before 5pm Friday, 12 May 2023. Each cancellation incurs a 20% administrative fee based on the original fee paid.
Delegates are not entitled to a refund of the registration fees if the cancellation is received after 5pm Friday, 12 May 2023.
Refunds (less applicable administrative fees) will be processed no later than 30 days after the conclusion of 2023 CLCQ State Conference.
CANCELLATION, POSTPONEMENT OR CHANGE OF REGISTRATION BY CLCQ
It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of CLCQ or the Venue to alter the times, dates, itineraries of or speakers at the 2023 CLCQ State Conference or postpone the conference itself, by notice to delegates at any time.
In the event of postponement of the 2023 CLCQ State Conference, registrations will be transferred to the rescheduled event. Where the delegate does not wish to attend the rescheduled event, a full refund will be provided.
If the event is cancelled by CLCQ, delegates will receive a full refund.
USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
CLCQ will collect and store information provided in this Registration Form for the purposes of enabling them to:
- register attendance;
- assist with administrative and planning purposes;
- plan and develop the conference and other events in the future;
- facilitate delegate requirements; and
- allow the compilation and analysis of statistics relevant to the conference.
DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES
CLCQ will not without your consent, use or disclose your personal information to third parties for any purpose unless such purpose is permitted or required by law.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY USE
By registering for the 2023 CLCQ State Conference, all delegates grant permission to CLCQ and its agents to take photographs and video footage to reproduce and to distribute on social media, promotional materials and other sector publications, whether in print, electronic or other media, including the CLCQ website.
If you have any concerns regarding the use of photographs/screen shots taken of you during the Conference and / or you do not agree to the above image release please contact communications@communitylegalqld.org.au or see the registration desk during event.
2023 Program
8.15 – 9.00am
Registration & Coffee
Plenary 1
9.00 – 9.30am
Welcome to Country by Songwoman Maroochy
Conference Official Opening
Plenary 1
9.30 – 11.00am
A Voice for Generations: The roadmap to recognition
Dr Shireen Morris, Director Radical Centre Reform Lab
Kirsty Davis , CEO Cape York Institute for Policy, Leadership and Innovation
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1.5)
11:00 – 11:30am
Morning Tea
Plenary 2
11.30 – 1.00pm
Helen Wallace – Caxton Legal Centre
Cybele Koning – Caxton Legal Centre
Thelma Schwartz – Principal Solicitor, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Lulu Milne – Practice Director Social Work, Women’s Legal Service Qld
Kasumi Ejiri – Women’s Legal Centre ACT
Integrated practice between lawyers and social or support workers is fast becoming a core part of the specialist knowledge and practice provided by community legal centres. This plenary will present the benefits and lessons of building an integrated practice, management considerations, and shifting focus to create a partnership of equals to enhance client outcomes.
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills/Practical Legal Ethics (1.5)
1:00 – 2:00pm
Lunch Session
1:15 – 1:45pm
The Services Union
Roma Room
Concurrent Sessions
2.00 – 3.30pm
Stream 1: Running a community legal centre
Room: Roma
Compelling Storytelling: The Art of Effective Communication
Dr Fiona Reynolds, Managing Partner – TriComm Consulting
Fiona will outline what it takes to capture attention and hold interest. Compelling storytelling is the difference between presenting facts and inspiring people to become involved!
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1.5)
Stream 2: Frontline Workers.
Room: Terrace
Domestic and family violence dynamics, and how systems respond.
Debbie Hewitt, Women’s Legal Service Queensland
Jo Sampford, LGBTI Legal Service
This session will provide practitioners with knowledge and skills to build their practice in DFV matters. Debbie will discuss the issues, impacts and advocacy tips when working with victim survivors who have been misidentified as respondents. Jo will discuss the importance of inclusive support for LGBTI DFV victim survivors and advocacy to end system and service barriers.
CPD Point: Professional Skills/Substantive Law (1.5)
Stream 3: Supporting people and communities.
Room: Wickham
Providing an inclusive and accessible service for people with a disability
Karen McCarthy, Disability Advocate
Donna Best, QAI Management Committee Member
Brianna Bell, QAI NDIS Team
Matilda Alexander, CEO QAI
Karen McCarthy will draw on her lived experience to inspire and motivate delegates to break down the accessibility and inclusion barriers they might not even realise are affecting people with disability. Representatives from Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion will discuss their Disability Inclusive Action Plan and the Australian Human Rights Commissions resource for employers.
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1.5)
3:30 -4:00pm
Concurrent Sessions
4.00 – 5.00pm
Stream 1: Running a community legal centre
Room: Roma
Sector Update
The Sector Update will share information about the current issues impacting the CLC sector from the perspectives of Community Legal Centres Australia, CLCQ Queensland and DJAG. There will be a focus on the NLAP review; the future of Queensland administration of CLC funding; and CLCQ projects.
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills (1)
Stream 2: Frontline Workers.
Room: Terrace
PII session – The Ethics of Supervision in a Changing Workforce
Shane Budden, Queensland Law Society
In this session, Shane will discuss the ethical implications of providing effective supervision and support to this changing workforce, including managing remote solicitors and non-legal staff, employing and supervising junior staff and lawyers on restricted practising certificates, and other ethical issues that frequently arise in these contexts, such as legal professional privilege and confidentiality.
CPD Point: Practical Legal Ethics (1)
Stream 3: Supporting people and communities.
Room: Wickham
Preparing for El Niño: Heatwaves, legal need and CLC resilience
Monica Taylor, Community Legal Centres Queensland
This session will present an overview of climate forecasts for Queensland and use a practical scenario to consider how extreme heat may affect common areas of legal practice for community legal centres and their internal organisational resilience.
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills/Substantive Law (1)
5.00 – 7.00pm
Networking drinks & canapes
8.15 – 9.00am
Registration & Coffee
Primary Session
9.00 – 10.30am
Acknowledgement of Country – Aunty Dawn Daylight
Understanding your brain so you can support others
Sheryl Batchelor , Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Sheryl will outline how better understanding of the brain can support and inform the provision for youth engaged or at risk of being engaged with the justice system.
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1)
10:30 – 11:00am
Morning Tea
Primary Session
11.00 – 12.30pm
Legal need and impact: Unravelling the ball of string
Dr Catherine Hastings, Macquarie University
Dr Hugh McDonald, Victorian Law Foundation
This session share hot off the press findings from the first phase of the Legal Needs Project, outlines a four-part conceptual framework for understanding the multidimensional nature of legal need and examines the new frontier of outcomes measurement and what is needed to build evidence of what works.
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills (1.5)
12:30 – 1:30pm
Lunch
Concurrent Sessions
1.30 – 3.00pm
Stream 1: Running a community legal centre
Room: Roma
Leading for effective collaboration: Lessons from health justice partnership
Lottie Turner, Partnerships Director – Health Justice Australia
Kate Finch, Advocacy Manager – Health Justice Australia
Health Justice Australia will share the top three lessons they’ve learned in what it takes to lead effective health justice partnership (HJP). Participants will then spend time workshopping the future of partnership leadership in their own centres and communities.
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1.5)
Stream 2: Frontline Workers.
Room: Terrace
How to Assist Clients in Preparation and for Success at Mediation
Farley S. Tolpen, The Mediation Experts
This session will look identifying the needs and issues of the client at intake, explaining the mediation process and preparation of the client for how to reach a fair resolution at mediation.
CPD Point: Professional Skills / Substantive Law (1.5)
Stream 3: Supporting people and communities.
Room: Wickham
CLE Showcase
Kelsey Leahy, Cairns Community Legal Centre
Helen Blaber, Prisoners’ Legal Service
Robert Lachowicz, Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS)
Hear about Cairns Community Legal Centre’s learnings from establishing an interactive and exciting CLE for older persons – Scam Bingo, the Legal Information Fairs Project Prisoner’s Legal Service is currently designing for Townsville Correctional and how RAILS is collaborating with culturally diverse communities using drum circles, music, video and social media
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills (1.5)
3:00 – 3:30pm
Afternoon Tea
Concurrent Sessions
3.30 – 4.30pm
Stream 1: Running a community legal centre
Room: Roma
Governance from a CEO’s perspective
Wynetta Dewis, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Cath Bartolo, YFS
A facilitated conversation to explore governance in practice, looking at the ‘real life’ of governing organisations from a CEO’s perspective. We will be joined by two highly experienced CEOs from within our CLC sector to explore how good governance supports organisational achievement and effectiveness.
CPD Point: Practice Management & Business Skills (1)
Stream 2: Frontline Workers.
Room: Terrace
Consumer Credit Law – a practical workshop
Josh Mennen, Maurice Blackburn
Hayley Stokes, Maurice Blackburn
David Maunsell, Caxton Legal Centre
The presentation will look at common scenarios from deidentified cases and discuss practical approaches to advising and representing consumers in different situations.
CPD Point: Substantive Law (1)
Stream 3: Supporting people and communities.
Room: Wickham
Yarning about Tracks to Treaty, the Voice and other issues of significance for First Nations people
Margaret Hornagold, Legal Aid Queensland
Aunty Margaret Hornagold, a Barada & Kabalbara woman from Central Qld, will conduct informal and inclusive yarning circles that focus on issues arising out the Tracks to Treaty, the Voice referendum, and observations about the position of First Nations people today. Aunty Margaret brings her wealth of cultural knowledge and wisdom to support yarning that builds insight and understanding of the impact of current issues for First Nations people.
CPD Point: Professional Skills (1)
Speakers
Dr Shireen Morris
Kirsty Davis
Cybele Koning
Helen Wallace
Kasumi Ejiri
Thelma Schwartz
Lulu Milne
Sheryl Batchelor
Dr Catherine Hastings
Dr Hugh McDonald
Brianna Bell
Cath Bartolo
David Maunsell
Debbie Hewitt
Donna Best
Farley S. Tolpen
Dr Fiona Reynolds
Hayley Stokes
Helen Blaber
Jo Sampford
Josh Mennen
Karen McCarthy
Kate Finch
Kelsey Leahy
Lottie Turner
Margaret Hornagold
Monica Taylor
Robert Lachowicz
Shane Budden
Wynetta Dewis
Dr Shireen Morris, Director of Radical Centre Reform Lab
Dr Shireen Morris
Dr Shireen Morris is a constitutional lawyer and Director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School.
She has advised Cape York Institute on constitutional reform for 12 years, and worked with Noel Pearson to devise and advocate the concept of a constitutional Voice since 2014. Books include The Forgotten People (MUP), A Rightful Place (2017), Radical Heart (MUP), A First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution (2020) and Statements from the Soul (2023)
CEO, Cape York Institute for Policy & Leadership
Kirsty Davis
I grew up on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirriganydji lands in Cairns and am a proud First Nations woman, of both Torres Strait and Aboriginal heritage. I am the CEO of the Cape York Institute for Policy, Leadership and Innovation and sit as a volunteer director on the boards of the Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Boarding College, Thursday Island, Puuya Foundation, Lockhart River, and the Girls from Oz Australia.
The Cape York Institute works with the communities of Cape York to shape change through Policy, Innovation and Leadership.
CEO, Caxton Legal Centre
Cybele Koning
Cybele is the CEO of Caxton Legal Centre which employs 50 lawyers, paralegal and intake workers and 16 social workers and community workers.
Cybele champions multi-disciplinary service models, strategically advocates to government for funding that supports holistic service delivery and oversees the provision of 8 legal-social work programs delivered by Caxton.
The recipient of the 2021 Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Award for her work in elder abuse advocacy and prevention, Cybele is responsible for establishing Queensland’s elder abuse health justice partnerships operating in hospitals and health services throughout the Greater Brisbane Region.
Social Work Practice Director, Caxton Legal Centre
Helen Wallace
Helen Wallace has worked for over 40 years as a social worker in human services delivery, social policy and planning and community development in large and small, government and non-government entities as well as private consulting.
In 2015 Helen joined Caxton Legal Centre to be part of a social worker-lawyer intervention team responding to abuse of older people. In 2019 Helen joined the board of Elder Abuse Action Australia to help drive forward the vision for a society that respects older Australians and is free from elder abuse. Helen supports Caxton’s social and community work practitioners who assist clients and provide community education and prevention programs.
Head of Social Work Practice, Women's Legal Centre ACT
Kasumi Ejiri
Kasumi Ejiri the Head of the Women’s Legal Centre’s Social Work practice and since she joined the Centre in 2019, she has led the development of the Centre’s multidisciplinary
approach to legal practice. Under her leadership, the Centre has developed a strong sociolegal framework for lawyers to integrate and collaborate with social workers to offer a more
holistic and trauma informed service for our clients.
Kasumi develops and delivers specialist and targeted training for professionals in Trauma Informed lawyering, Vicarious Trauma and Resilience, Integrated Practice and Domestic and
Family Violence. Kasumi is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and is a specialist domestic violence worker. Before moving to Canberra, she worked in remote
Central Australia and in the Northern Territory and is passionate about anti-oppressive practice that acknowledges women’s experiences of trauma and injustices so they can
empower themselves to move forward with their lives.
Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Thelma Schwartz
Thelma Schwartz is the Principal Legal Officer of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation providing legal and non-legal support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault in Queensland.
Thelma is a legal practitioner with more than 24 years post-admission experience and identifies as of Torres Strait Islander heritage alongside her German, Samoan and Papua New Guinean heritage. Thelma has worked extensively with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in regional and remote Queensland, in both capacities representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants in the criminal justice system as well as advocating for victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault. In 2018 Thelma was awarded the Regional Woman Lawyer of the Year by the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland. She was also an award finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in 2019 and 2020 in the categories of Indigenous Lawyer of the Year, Not-for-Profit Lawyer of the Year and the Women in Law Excellence Award in 2019.
In 2021, Thelma was awarded the Advancement of Women Award from the Zonta Club of Brisbane and in 2021 Thelma was also awarded the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 201 Indigenous Lawyer of the Year. Thelma served as a member of the Queensland Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, which produced the Hear Her Voice Reports 1 and 2 and is a current member of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel as well as the co-chair of the Justice Policy Partnership Cross Agency Working Group in Queensland.
Practice Director - Social Work, Women's Legal Service Qld
Lulu Milne
Lulu Milne is the Practice Director of Social Work at Women’s Legal Service Qld, where she leads a team of social workers providing trauma informed support to women experiencing domestic violence.
She is also a management committee member of Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre where she has held a role for the last 4 years.
Lulu has over 20 years of experience as a social worker and leader in the domestic violence and homeless sectors in Brisbane and Scotland.
Founder & Director, Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Sheryl Batchelor
Sheryl Batchelor is an Aboriginal woman with ancestorial ties to Kunja near Cunnamulla.
She has over 30 years of teaching, training, and leadership experience in various educational, community and health settings. She has been involved in projects that have measurably improved the cognitive, social, and emotional skills of the most vulnerable children, youth and adults with severe learning and behavioural challenges arising from adverse life experiences.
In 2019, Sheryl established Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation. Yiliyapinya is a not-for-profit registered charity addressing the decrease in brain health of vulnerable people in a culturally appropriate manner.
In her plenary presentation, “Understanding the brain so you can support others”, Sheryl will outline how better understanding of the brain can support and inform the provision for youth engaged or at risk of being engaged with the justice system.
Dr Catherine Hastings
Dr Catherine Hastings’ interdisciplinary research concentrates on understanding issues of social justice and inequality.
Recent focus areas include legal needs assessment, the causes of homelessness for families and older women, and international student financial and housing precarity. Catherine’s current research, funded by a Macquarie University Research Fellowship, investigates how, why and in what context types of legal needs develop for marginalised and disadvantaged populations in Australia. In addition to her academic work, she undertakes applied social research and evaluation for government and not-for-profit organisations. Over the last decade, she has delivered projects for peak bodies and community legal centres within the legal assistance sector.
About the session:
The session shares ‘hot off the press’ findings from the first interview and workshop phases of the Legal Needs Project (www.legalneedsproject.org). This research, from Macquarie University, aims to understand the nature and generation of the legal needs of clients of the legal assistance sector. The presentation will share a four-part conceptual framework for understanding the multidimensional nature legal need. This framework is informed by the depth of knowledge and extensive experience of sector workers collected through the Legal Needs Project. It provides a conceptual scaffolding through which your own knowledge can be articulated, and will be valuable for communicating the needs of your clients and what drives your service.
Principal Researcher, Victorian Law Foundation
Dr Hugh McDonald
Hugh joined Victoria Law Foundation in 2019 as Principal Researcher. He previously worked at the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, on several landmark access to justice and legal need projects.
Throughout his career, Hugh has worked closely with community legal centres, legal aid commissions, federal and state and governments, giving him a deep understanding of legal institutions, access to justice and legal needs throughout Australia.
Hugh currently leads Victoria Law Foundation’s project to map the use and utility of Victoria’s civil justice data and works the Public Understanding of Law Survey. He is involved in several collaborative projects, including studies on legal costs and legal assistance outcomes, and advises legal service providers, courts and tribunals, peak bodies, professional associations, and governments.
In this session, Hugh will draw on the last 20 years of access to justice and legal needs research this session examines the new frontier of outcomes measurement and what is needed to build evidence of what works.
Lawyer, QAI NDIS team
Brianna Bell
Brianna is a lawyer with the QAI NDIS team. She has served on the Advisory Group for Your Story Disability Legal Support since its inception and was the Disability Officer with UQ Union in 2017.
Brianna has been recently selected as a Youth Delegate to the United Nations Conference on State Parties in New York in June 2023.
Session overview:
We can all benefit workplaces that are accessible, diverse and inclusive. Increasing the employment of workers with disability has significant benefits to workplaces, individuals and society more broadly. Despite this evidence, low employment, retention and promotion rates for people with disability are pervasive in Australia.
Members of the QAI Disability Inclusion Working Group will talk through the IncludeAbility resources from the AHRC and discuss our efforts to implement these resources at QAI, including introducing the work of our Disability Inclusion Working Group.
Cath Bartolo
Cath Bartolo AM has worked in community services and education for more than 30 years. As CEO of YFS Ltd, a community service organisation based in Logan, she led the organisation to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people to build their independence and participation. Cath’s work has included addressing poverty, homelessness, domestic and family violence, child welfare, youth participation, unemployment and financial capacity.
In 2022 Cath was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to youth, to social welfare, and to the community of Logan.
Cath has held Board positions with Queensland Council of Social Service, Edmund Rice Flexi School Advisory Board and Logan Together as well as collaborative community leadership teams including the Logan City of Choice.
Session Overview:
A facilitated conversation to explore governance in practice, looking at the ‘real life’ of governing organisations from a CEO’s perspective. We will be joined by 2 highly experienced CEOs from within our CLC sector in Queensland, Cath Bartolo of YFS Limited and Wynetta Dewis of QIFVLS, to explore how good governance supports organisational achievement and effectiveness.
Solicitor and coordinator Consumer Credit and Debt Clinic, Caxton Legal Centre
David Maunsell
David has practised as a solicitor for over 30 years mainly in commercial litigation in private practice before seeing the light and moving to the CLC sector 10 years ago.
More recently his focus has been on credit law, and he coordinates the Consumer Credit and Debt Clinic at Caxton Legal Centre.
David also volunteered for many years at Caxton whilst in private practice and lectured in law for a number of years at JCU.
Senior Solicitor, Women's Legal Service
Debbie Hewitt
Debbie has worked at Women’s Legal Service since 2017, in a number of different roles including as duty lawyer in the Women’s duty lawyer programme and as WAR (Women as Respondents) Lawyer.
Management Committee, QAI
Donna Best
Donna Best is a founding member of QAI and has a lengthy history of advocacy for people with intellectual disability. She has been engaged with many community organisations and has presented at forums and round tables representing the rights of people with Intellecutal disability.
Donna is the Convenor of Queenslanders With Disability Network’s Hot Topics discussion group.
Founder & CEO, The Mediation Experts
Farley S. Tolpen
Farley S. Tolpen is the Founder and CEO of The Mediation Experts. Farley is an international mediator, arbitrator, trainer and lawyer with over 38 years’ experience mediating, arbitrating and litigating. His areas of expertise include Family Law, Estates, Workplace, Commercial and Business Law, Real Estate and Construction.
Farley is dual-qualified in Australia and the United States, a member of both the Queensland Law Society and California State Bar, a mediator for QCAT and QSBC and a mediator for franchise disputes. He is also accredited as a National Mediator, certified as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and a registered Family Law Arbitrator.
Farley has volunteered at Bayside Community Legal Services for the last 12 years and has served on the Management Committee. He also started a free mediation service through Bayside.
Farley has mediated over 4000 matters with about a 90% success rate. Farley brings a wealth of practical litigation knowledge in two continents to the complexity, time consuming, costly, non-financial motives and strategic objectives of the parties, their lawyers and the courts in the litigation process.
Farley’s belief in the real-world efficiencies and effectiveness of mediation and conciliation instead of a cumbersome and costly litigation process, saw him widen his professional mediation practice to the United States and Australia and leading the establishment of like-minded colleagues in launching The Mediation Experts in Australia.
Managing Partner, TriComm Consulting
Dr Fiona Reynolds
Fiona is an expert communicator – from cadet newspaper reporter to award-winning businesswoman, national broadcast industry executive to corporate consultant. She became an ABC Director during her 30 years in the media, leading teams through digital and workplace transformation to deliver high quality multimedia content. Fiona later completed a PhD in journalism, media and communications, then turned the research on Accidental Celebrity into a national number 1 podcast.
Compelling Storytelling: The Art of Effective Communication, Fiona will outline what it takes to capture attention and hold interest. Compelling storytelling is the difference between presenting facts and inspiring people to become involved!
Associate, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Hayley Stokes
An Associate in Maurice Blackburn’s Superannuation and Insurance department, Hayley understands the need to explain to clients as clearly as possible what can be a very complex area of law. She strives to ensure that her clients obtain all the benefits they are entitled to under various insurance policies.
Hayley prides herself on being open and empathetic with her clients and uses the fact that she has previously worked for a general insurer to her clients’ advantage. She also runs financial advice disputes against financial advisers, and irresponsible lending claims against banks and brokers.
Principal Solicitor, Prisoners' Legal Service
Helen Blaber
Helen has conducted public interest litigation on behalf of people in prison for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Laws specialising in Human Rights and has a particular interest in promoting awareness of the experiences of people in prison through empirical research. In collaboration with academics from the University of Queensland, she has recently co-authored publications relating to solitary confinement and parole suspensions, which rely on de-identified data extracted from PLS client files. As the Director of PLS, she designs and oversees CLE projects aimed at overcoming the barriers created by imprisonment which prevent people in prison from obtaining legal assistance.
Session overview:
The capability of people in prison to address their legal needs is severely restricted by a range of physical factors associated with incarceration, including lack of access to phone calls and the internet. These barriers are compounded for people with complex needs, who are often not able to take the proactive steps needed to seek assistance.
This session will discuss the Legal Information Fairs Project PLS is currently designing for Townsville Correctional Centres. The aim of this project is to provide people in prison with a holistic opportunity to connect with the different legal services available to them and overcome the barriers created by incarceration. PLS will discuss the practicalities associated with successful implementation of this project and the goal to expand Legal Information Fairs to the 14 prisons across the State.
Principal Solicitor, LGBTI Legal Service
Jo Sampford
Jo is a queer cis white settler lawyer with over 15 years’ experience working and volunteering in the sector.
Early in their career, Jo co-led her firm’s LGBTI employee inclusion network, partnering with the LGBTI Legal Service to deliver strategic law reform work.
In April 2023 they joined the LGBTI Legal Service as Principal Solicitor after senior legal and policy roles in CLCs and government and service roles in the disability sector.
About Jo’s session:
LGBTIQ+ relationships are just like all other relationships: equally capable of providing a foundation for love, care and family, and equally at risk of violence and abuse. However, LGBTIQ+ communities are far less likely than the general population to find support services that meet their specific needs; and, many services are unable to support the unique needs of LGBTIQ+ people impacted FV.
This presentation aims to provide participants with some general awareness of terminology and key concepts, and equip you with some tools and resources to recognise and redress system-level barriers to LGBTIQ-responsive services in your own CLC, and in other services and systems your clients are navigating. Our insights are grounded in our practice experience, lived expertise and relationships to the LGBTIQ+ community.
Principal Lawyer and National Litigation Leader, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Josh Mennen
A Principal Lawyer in Maurice Blackburn’s Superannuation and Insurance department Josh was admitted to legal practice in 2007, Josh has an extensive knowledge of legal process he has been responsible for law-changing, leading cases.
He has acted predominantly across superannuation, general insurance, life insurance, financial advice and consumer credit disputes in various tribunals and courts.
He is a prominent commentator on public policy, having advanced consumer rights through scores of submissions, appearances at parliamentary inquiries and media appearances.
Josh provides financial services legal advice to disabled or wronged consumers, disability support groups, charities, State Trustees, financial counsellors, community groups and unions.
He is passionate about increasing consumer rights/awareness and giving voice to those dis-empowered by illness, injury and socioeconomic barriers.
Disability Advocate
Karen McCarthy
Karen McCarthy is a resilience expert with a background worthy of a melodrama. 15 years into a career as a lawyer, and 10 years into motherhood, she suffered complications from surgery to remove a tumour from her brain. She was left legally blind, and her family was told she would never be able to care for herself – if she even lived.
Determined to fight her way back to live a life she recognised, Karen proved the doubters wrong. In losing her sight, Karen gained a vision – an actionable blueprint for building resilience through adaption and growth in the face of change that has inspired people all over the country.
Strategic Advocacy Manager - Health Justice Australia
Kate Finch
Kate lives with her family on Bundjalung Country in Northern NSW. She has worked in policy reform and systemic advocacy for over 20 years, with a background in youth homelessness, global health, disability, and human rights. Much of her advocacy work has been grounded in grassroots human rights movements and led by communities with lived experience.
As Strategic Advocacy Manager, Kate leads our work to shift the funding, policy and service design structures and systems that undermine effective partnership and collaboration.
Acting Principal Solicitor, Cairns Community Legal Centre
Kelsey Leahy
Kelsey is the Acting Principal Solicitor of the Cairns Community Legal Centre.
Kelsey has come full circle. As a law student, she volunteered with the CCLC, commenced her legal career in private practice and returned to the sector by joining the CCLC in 2021.
Kelsey has sat as Secretary on several committees and enjoys giving back. She has a keen interest in Consumer Law and is passionate about the work she delivers.
In the CLE showcase breakout session, the CCLC will share their learnings from establishing an interactive and exciting CLE for older persons.
Partnerships Director, Health Justice Australia
Lottie Turner
Lottie lives with her partner and doggo on Gadigal Country in Sydney. She is a proud Kiwi, Social Worker, Accredited Partnership Broker and ADHDer. For the past 15 years, Lottie’s work has centred around using the principles and tools of partnership in the promotion of health equity and social justice.
As Partnerships Director, Lottie is responsible for leading Health Justice Australia’s work to support effective collaboration across health, social and legal service systems, including through convening, brokering and mentoring health justice partnerships.
In the Leading for effective collaboration: Lessons from health justice partnership session, Health Justice Australia will share the top 3 lessons they’ve learned in what it takes to lead effective health justice partnership (HJP). Participants will then spend time workshopping the future of partnership leadership in CLCs, including how the lessons from HJP can be applied to drive impactful partnerships in their own centres and communities.
Margaret Hornagold
Aunty Margaret Hornagold is a proud Traditional Owner of the Barada, Kabalbara and Yetimarala people from Central Queensland on her fathers’ side. Margaret has worked in and across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy at a local, state and national level in policy design, community education and service delivery for over 40 years.
She holds a Bachelor of Law, a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Business, Government and Community Service Coordination, and has held countless leadership roles as a Director, Manager, CEO, Board member, Native Title Applicant and now as the Senior Advisor at Legal Aid Queensland.
Climate Resilience Coordinator, Community Legal Centres Queensland
Monica Taylor
Monica is a lawyer who recently joined the CLCQ team to lead a project on developing a climate and disaster resilience community of practice and sector capacity building.
She is currently completing her PhD (QUT) on climate justice, where she is examining the impact of climate change on legal need and the Legal Assistance Sector’s readiness to respond.
Session overview:
What will Queensland’s climate be like in 5, 10, 20 years? What legal work and organisational challenges should the CLC sector anticipate and prepare for? Climate forecasts suggest that as La Niña recedes, Australia might move into El Niño, bringing hot and dry conditions like heatwaves, drought and bushfires. This session will: Present an overview of climate forecasts for Queensland; Use a practical scenario to consider how extreme heat may affect common areas of legal practice for CLCs and their internal organisational resilience; Discuss how CLCs can work towards a climate resilient future for themselves, their clients and communities.
Education Coordinator, RAILS
Robert Lachowicz
Rob Lachowicz manages the professional and community legal education program at Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS).
He’s been a community lawyer and educator for over 30 years and has created many innovative legal education resources and programs in partnership with culturally diverse communities, often using music, drama and language learning.
Rob is also a musician, filmmaker and puppeteer, and has worked closely in First Nations justice over many years.
Session overview:
Reflections on a legal education collaboration with culturally diverse communities using drum circles, music, video and social media to engage, learn and create together, leading to deeper understanding of law and justice.
Special Counsel - Ethics, Queensland Law Society
Shane Budden
Shane Budden is the Special Counsel, Ethics with Queensland Law Society’s Ethics Centre. This role involves providing proactive ethical guidance for lawyers through generating updates, articles and CPD presentations, as well as giving bespoke advice on ethics issues to members as required.
Shane has over 20 years’ experience in legal, management, policy and advocacy, with prior roles at QLS as Manager Advocacy and Policy/Senior Policy Advisor, as well as with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, in house counsel in local government and in private practice.
CEO, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Wynetta Dewis
Wynetta Dewis is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS).
Wynetta commenced with QIFVLS in 2011 in the role of Project Officer and, throughout the years, has moved through various positions within the organisation from Community Development Manager to General Manager, progressing to the role of Chief Executive Officer, which she has occupied for the past three years.
A proud Torres Strait Islander woman, Wynetta has family connections from Boigu Island and Horn Island in the Torres Straits. Wynetta has over twenty years’ experience in management and project management roles.
Wynetta is the Chair of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, the national peak body for family violence prevention legal services, which QIFVLS is a member organisation. Chairs Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prevention Group established through the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. Is a member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coalition (QATSIC) and the Joint Council Representative for Queensland on Closing the Gap.
Session Overview:
A facilitated conversation to explore governance in practice, looking at the ‘real life’ of governing organisations from a CEO’s perspective. We will be joined by 2 highly experienced CEOs from within our CLC sector in Queensland, Cath Bartolo of YFS Limited and Wynetta Dewis of QIFVLS, to explore how good governance supports organisational achievement and effectiveness.