Overview

The voices and perspective of First Nations legal practitioners and their clients are important and necessary. Legal practitioners working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice can measure their impact not only in their results but also in how Indigenous people are guided through the legal system and have their voices heard.

This seminar will provide First Nations legal practitioners, and all legal practitioners working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice, with expert advice on how to best elicit evidence from First Nations and other minority witnesses. Following this, a panel consisting of four leading Indigenous barristers, chaired by Queensland’s first Indigenous judge, will discuss working in the legal industry and the best options for advancing your career.

The event includes two sessions:

‘How to elicit evidence from First Nations and other minority witnesses’ presented by Joshua Creamer, Barrister.
‘How to elevate your career’ panel discussion with Melia Benn, Avelina Tarrago, Joshua Creamer and Lincoln Crowley QC chaired by District Court Judge Nathan Jarro.

Meet the speakers:

Avelina Tarrago was admitted to the profession in 2009 and called to the bar in 2017. She has a general practice with focus on health, regulatory and administrative law. Ms Tarrago is President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland and has been in this role since 2018.
Melia Benn, Mamu and Gunggandji woman, is the Chair of the ALA’s Human Rights Special Interest Group. Ms Benn was called to the Bar in 2018, and has a dual practice in both Endeavour Chambers, Cairns and Griffith Chambers, Brisbane.
Joshua Creamer is a Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister who specialises in human rights class actions and native title. In 2017, Mr Creamer was the recipient of the National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award and was also appointed to the Board of Legal Aid Queensland.
Lincoln Crowley QC specialises in criminal law, inquests and inquiries and related civil proceedings and litigation. He has a diverse, national practice and regularly appears in all major jurisdictions within Australia, particularly in criminal trials, appeals and related proceedings in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
District Court Judge Nathan Jarro was appointed a judge of the District Court of Queensland in 2018, Queensland’s first Indigenous judge. His Honour was called to the Bar in 2004 and has had several recurring sessional appointments to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the Aboriginal Land Tribunal.

Event Details

ACCESSIBILITY

COST

Free for university students