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TAS: The Sir John Demetrius Morris Oration delivered by The Hon Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia – 16 March 2018

The inaugural HAL Tasmanian Chapter Oration highlighted the Hellenic contribution to Tasmania’s judicial and educational foundations  from Tasmanian Sir John Demetrius Morris KCMG, the first Chief Justice in Australia of Hellenic origin.

The Hon Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, delivered the Oration entitled “Greek Independence and its Significance to the Development of International Law” in March 2018.

HAL was delighted to have members of Sir John’s family (pictured) among the many guests and HAL members attending the Oration, which was held at the University of Tasmania as part of the Estia Greek Festival of Hobart.

The Oration highlighted the Hellenic contribution to Tasmania’s judicial and educational foundations  from Tasmanian Sir John Demetrius Morris KCMG, the first Chief Justice in Australia of Hellenic origin.

The event was proudly sponsored by Simmons Wolfhagen and held in conjunction with the Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania.

Pictures from the Event

20 March, 2018 in Dec 2018, Newsletters, TAS

From the President – Feb 2018

We are privileged that the President of the Hellenic Republic of Greece has accepted the invitation to open the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association International Conference at the Bastion of the Grand Master’s Palace, Rhodes, Greece.

It is also an honour to have Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC as the keynote speaker, as well as so many other eminent jurists and scholars as speakers and delegates.

I very much look forward to welcoming colleagues in Rhodes, an island spectacular and rich in history.  One of its notable achievements was the Colossus of Rhodes built from 292BC to 280BC.  This bronze statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In in 220BC it suffered significant damage in an earthquake and, over 800 years later, the bronze was melted by invaders and sold.

The Tasmanian Chapter of HAL will shortly be hosting the inaugural Sir John Demetrius Morris Oration.  Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has kindly agreed to deliver the Oration, which will be titled “Greek Independence and its Significance to the Development of International Law” on Friday 16 March 2018.

In 2018, HAL will be holding the following Orations:

  • 16 March 2018 – Tasmanian Chapter – Sir John Demetrius Morris Oration by The Hon Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of South Australia;
  • 20 August 2018 – NSW Chapter – Oration by The Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC, High Court of Australia;
  • August 2018 – SA Chapter – The John Perry Oration;
  • 21 September 2018 – NT Chapter – Oration by The Hon Michael Grant, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory;
  • 27 September 2018 – WA Chapter – Robert French AC Oration by The Hon Justice James Edelman, High Court of Australia;
  • 19 October 2018 – Queensland Chapter – Alexander Freeleagus Oration by the Hon Justice Walter Sofronoff, President, Court of Appeal, Queensland;
  • 31 October 2018 – Victorian Chapter – Oration by The Hon Justice Chris Maxwell AC, President, Court of Appeal, Victoria.

Further details of the above Orations will be posted on the HAL website events calendar closer to the events.

It is also my pleasure, on behalf of members of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association, to congratulate HAL member Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson SC. It was recently announced that the Junior Vice-President of the NSW Bar Association, and well respected silk, is to be appointed to the ACT Supreme Court on 26 March 2018.  Ms Loukas-Karlsson SC is profiled  in this Newsletter.

Finally, I encourage members to participate in the HAL Mentoring Program, which is featured in this Newsletter.  Mentoring is rewarding for both mentors and mentees.

Manuel (Mal) Varitimos QC CBE
President
Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association

25 February, 2018 in Feb 2018, Newsletters Comments (0)

Making the most of mentoring

Mentoring can be a career-changing experience for many, offering measured advice to journey through the demands and challenges faced by lawyers.

The Hellenic Lawyers Association resolved to provide a mentoring program for its members in 2016, and more than 50 members and associates now participate across Australia.

Mentee Madeline Young, lawyer Chantel Schoonwinkel, Sambanis Family Law principal and mentor Marie Sambanis, and mentee Nicole Macregeorgos, together at a HAL function.

Sambanis Family Law principal and long time HAL member, Marie Sambanis, has taken on two mentees through the HAL program in early 2017.

HAL Associate member and current mentee Madeline Young is a 24-year-old final year Bachelor of Laws student at the University of Queensland, while Nicole Macregeorgos is in her final semester of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology.

Both applied online through HAL’s mentoring program.

They have found the experience invaluable.

Nicole had been eager to gain insight and knowledge about the legal profession, particularly the demands of working in family law.

“I’ve had concerns that some of the subject matter would affect me and that I would burn out quickly if I were to practice in this area of law. As a result, it was extremely important for me to be able to connect with a mentor to discuss these concerns and to evaluate whether I was the right ‘fit’ for family law,” she said.

“The experience has been an invaluable opportunity for me to experience first hand the work of a family lawyer.

“This experience has shown me how varied family law practice can be. It has also opened my mind to career options within family law that I hadn’t previously considered. I now know that ultimately, I’d like to be an Independent Children’s Lawyer or a Separate Representative in the Children’s Court.

“Before mentoring, I had never considered this to be an option for me,” she said.

Madeline remarked that the mentoring experience built confidence and provided insights into the profession simply not available from an outside perspective.

“I have been a part of the inner workings of a family law firm, and I have been able to work closely with solicitors to understand and observe their actions. I have been involved in preparation for child protection proceedings, property settlements and parenting proceedings,” she said.

She’s had a close-up view of how family law matters are handled and progressed, interacting with many other areas within the legal framework, such as the work of barristers, mediators and Legal Aid.

With understanding has come further belief in her ability to succeed in the profession.

“This opportunity has provided me with a confidence in my abilities generally, as well as giving me the chance to further develop my legal writing and communication skills under the guidance of a skilled and experienced practitioner,” she said.

Sambanis Family Law principal Marie Sambanis  believes mentoring provides an opportunity for law students and graduates to experience the practical side to law.

For her as a mentor, a welcome benefit has been working with intelligent individuals who are keen and motivated to learn the practical side to law.

“Mentoring also provides a foot in the door for the mentee to gain practical experience in a law office regardless of the area they will end up specialising in.”

HAL Mentoring Committee Chair Maria Barbayannis said there would be further enhancements to the program in 2018, developed from feedback from mentors and mentees.

Maria detailed the many benefits for mentees:

  • Gaining insight and knowledge about the legal profession, including its challenges
  • an opportunity to build a professional relationship and networks;
  • guidance on achieving professional goals;
  • identifying factors affecting career development and opportunities; and
  • strategies for career progression.

“The mentoring program for 2017 has been a success, and will conclude in mid-December. The 2018 program will begin in March, and those interested can register on the HAL website,” she said.

For mentors, she said, there are many personal and professional benefits including:

  • being viewed as a professional role model;
  • exposure to ideas and perspectives that may apply to your own practice, and
  • reflection upon your own achievements and practices.

Marie Sambanis, while operating a busy practice specializing in family law, child protection, domestic violence, wills and estates, says taking on two eager mentees through the HAL program has been a worthwhile experience for all three.

She sees it as “giving back to the profession” but mentoring is more than repayment. It inspires the next generation of young lawyers, and lays a framework for collaboration and collegiality into the future.

For those wishing to participate as a mentor in 2018, if you have not already registered, please do so at this link.

Those who wish to participate as mentees in 2018, please also register at this link.

29 October, 2017 in National, Nov 2017 Comments (0)

From the President – November 2017

On behalf of the recently appointed committee of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association it is my pleasure to welcome you to the first HALnea newsletter.

It will be a privilege to serve as National President of HAL.

The progress of the Association has been remarkable due to the hard work, passion and commitment of members, for which I extend my gratitude and appreciation.

Positive progress has been made towards making the Association a truly national organisation, with representation under the amended rules of each of the eight chapters on the National Committee.

The next year will be an exciting one in the development and further maturity of the Association, with planning well underway for high calibre events around Australia and the Rhodes International Conference.

The Association has now matured into a highly respected National Association with Chapters launched in each State and Territory, hosting of high level events and links developing with lawyers overseas.

We are honoured to have eminent Patrons throughout Australia and acknowledge their invaluable support.

It has been a privilege to have had as speakers, not only the Patrons, but many other eminent jurists and scholars.

In each of the past three years the South Australian and Queensland Chapters have hosted the Perry and Freeleagus Orations respectively, in recognition of the contribution that two great lawyers of Hellenic origin made to the law and the community. These events have become fixtures in the legal calendar of events held in South Australia and Queensland.

This year the Victorian Chapter hosted the successful inaugural HAL Victorian Chapter Oration by Justice Nettle of the High Court of Australia. Justice Nettle joins the following current or retired High Court Justices to have honoured the Association by speaking at HAL events: Chief Justice Robert French AC; Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC; Justice Patrick Keane AC; and The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG.

Next year the aim is for HAL to host Orations in each Chapter throughout Australia. It is anticipated that some members will take the opportunity to travel interstate to meet colleagues and be part of high calibre events.

The Association has reflected on the remarks made by Chief Justice Robert French AC, when launching the Queensland Chapter, that the formation and evident strength of the Association is an encouraging sign of the capacity that it has to contribute in a positive way to Australian society.

To this end, the Association has been developing a mentoring scheme for lawyers and future lawyers from diverse backgrounds, held fundraising events and embraced cultural diversity.

The Association is delighted to recently have had a significant increase in new members, both of Hellenic background and philhellenes, who have an interest in Hellenic law, philosophy and culture and advancing diversity, law and jurisprudence for the public benefit.

Again, on behalf of the committee, I thank you for your support of HAL and look forward to your participation in future events and activities hosted by the Association.

To keep members informed it is proposed to circulate a newsletter to members several times a year. In the interim, members are encouraged to regularly check the website for CPD events, activities and other matters of interest.

I encourage you to join HAL  or renew your membership if you have not already done so.

Best Regards

Manuel (Mal) Varitimos CBE QC
President, Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association

29 October, 2017 in Newsletters, Nov 2017 Comments (0)