Episode 04

Walter Sofronoff KC has a formidable resume. He was called to the Bar in 1978, made silk ten years later and went on to become the President of the Bar Association, the President of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, the Solicitor General of Queensland, and then in 2017, the President of the Queensland Court of Appeal.

Since his retirement from the bench in 2022, Mr Sofronoff has led the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland and, most recently, the Board of Inquiry into the criminal justice system in the Australian Capital Territory.

On this episode of The Callover, he joins us to discuss the art of advocacy, the importance of professional ethics and other lessons learned from his incredible career.

Walter Sofronoff KC has a formidable resume. He was called to the Bar in 1978, made silk ten years later and went on to become the President of the Bar Association, the President of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, the Solicitor General of Queensland, and then in 2017, the President of the Queensland Court of Appeal.
Since his retirement from the bench in 2022, Mr Sofronoff has led the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland and, most recently, the Board of Inquiry into the criminal justice system in the Australian Capital Territory.
On this episode of The Callover, he joins us to discuss the art of advocacy, the importance of professional ethics and other lessons learned from his incredible career.

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

The Callover

Reflections on Life in the Law with Walter Sofronoff KC

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.

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.

Lessons for lawyers from Robodebt with Justin Greggery KC

On this episode of The Callover, we have the Honourable Fleur Kingham to discuss her life in the law, her most recent appointment as Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission, and the criminal defences review that is currently underway.

Chair Kingham’s extensive contributions to the legal community in Queensland are quite remarkable. She graduated from law at the University of Queensland in 1982 and went on to become a founding member of the Women's Legal Service in Queensland and the Arts Law Centre of Queensland.  She has been a barrister, university lecturer, mediator and facilitator, the first deputy president of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, a Judge of the Queensland District Court, the Children's Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court and the President of the Land Court.  Most recently, in April 2023, she was appointed Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission.

To contact the QLRC or find any of the resources referred to by Chair Kingham throughout the interview, visit: https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/

On this episode of The Callover, we have the Honourable Fleur Kingham to discuss her life in the law, her most recent appointment as Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission, and the criminal defences review that is currently underway.
Chair Kingham’s extensive contributions to the legal community in Queensland are quite remarkable. She graduated from law at the University of Queensland in 1982 and went on to become a founding member of the Women's Legal Service in Queensland and the Arts Law Centre of Queensland.  She has been a barrister, university lecturer, mediator and facilitator, the first deputy president of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, a Judge of the Queensland District Court, the Children's Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court and the President of the Land Court.  Most recently, in April 2023, she was appointed Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
To contact the QLRC or find any of the resources referred to by Chair Kingham throughout the interview, visit: https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/

Insights into the Queensland Law Reform Commission with Chair Fleur Kingham

Episode

On this International Women's Day, we celebrate the extraordinary strides of women across social, economic, cultural, legal, and political spheres. In keeping with this spirit, we bring you a true leader of the legal profession, the Honorable Michelle May AM KC, on The Callover podcast to take us through her life in the law.

Michelle was admitted to the bar in 1978 and when she became Queen's Counsel in 1993, she was the first barrister with a predominantly family law practice to achieve that level of seniority. In 1995, she became the first female judge of the Family Court, and after 22 years, she retired from the bench in 2017, and returned to the Bar. In that year, she was also appointed a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her significant service to law, judicial administration and professional associations.

Listen now!

On this International Women's Day, we celebrate the extraordinary strides of women across social, economic, cultural, legal, and political spheres. In keeping with this spirit, we bring you a true leader of the legal profession, the Honorable Michelle May AM KC, on The Callover podcast to take us through her life in the law.
Michelle was admitted to the bar in 1978 and when she became Queen's Counsel in 1993, she was the first barrister with a predominantly family law practice to achieve that level of seniority. In 1995, she became the first female judge of the Family Court, and after 22 years, she retired from the bench in 2017, and returned to the Bar. In that year, she was also appointed a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her significant service to law, judicial administration and professional associations.
Listen now!

Reflections on Life in the Law with Walter Sofronoff KC

In 1 playlist(s)

The Callover

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips