2024 JCU Legal Studies Conference
In 2024, Year 11 and 12 students from the Cairns & Townsville regions attended the JCU Legal Studies conferences for an immersive experience exploring the theme of "Youth and the Law." Students enjoyed dynamic presentations on Youth Justice, Intellectual Property Law and AI, Human Rights and International Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. A highlight of the day was the interactive Panel Discussion, where students actively engaged with experts, asking thought-provoking questions on topics like youth crime, human rights, the age of consent, and the ethical implications of AI.
Programs & Speakers
Location: Cairns - 8 August 2024, Cairns Nguma-bada Smithfield Campus
| Times | Speakers |
|---|---|
| 8.30 | Schools to arrive at 8.30am for registration. Conference will commence at 9am sharp. |
| 9.00 - 9.05 | Opening of conference delivered by Dr Neil Dunbar, Acting Head of Law JCU |
| 9.05 - 9.15 | Welcome to Country - Mr Gavin Singleton |
| 9.15 - 9.45 | Topic 1: Youth Justice Presented by: Ms Hayley Fox - Criminal Lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland |
| 9.45 - 10.15 | Topic 2: Intellectual Property Law, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Presented by: Ms Donna Patane - Director and IP Lawyer at Dripl Legal |
| 10.15 - 10:40 | Morning Tea Break |
| 10.40 - 11.50 | Why Study Law? Presented by: Dr Neil Dunbar Introduction to the JCU NOW Program Presented by: Ms Elizabeth Kalas from Future Students, JCU |
| 10.50 - 11.00 | Student Meet and Greet Activity |
| 11.00 - 11.40 | Topic 3: Panel Q&A Discussion on Youth Rights |
| 11.40 - 12.25 | Lunch - Subway provided by JCU |
| 12.30 - 12.40 | What’s it like being a law student at JCU? Presentation and Q&A from the Inter Alia, Law Students Society |
| 12.40 - 12.55 | Topic 4: Human Rights and International Law Presented by: Professor Gary Meyers – Professor of Law; and Fellow, The Cairns Institute |
| 12.55 - 13.10 | Topic 5: Alternative Dispute Resolution Presented by: Ms Tanjil Whitnell – Coordinator at the Dispute Resolution Centre Cairns (DJAG) and Criminal Law Lecturer at JCU |
| 13.10 - 13.15 | Closing remarks – Presented by Dr Neil Dunbar, Acting Head of Law JCU |
| 13.15 | Conference Closed. |
Ms Hayley Fox, Criminal Lawyer, Legal Aid Queensland
TOPIC: Youth Justice
Hayley Fox is a criminal lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland (Cairns office). Hayley was admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2019 and has practised in criminal law since that time. In her work, Hayley provides duty lawyer and ongoing case management and representation services to people charged with criminal offences, in an area spanning Innisfail to the Torres Strait Islands. Hayley is particularly passionate about representing youth, and those from low-socio-economic backgrounds. Hayley is a mentor for the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland and enjoys sharing her experience as a lawyer with those who are studying.
Ms Donna Patane, Director & IP Lawyer, DRIPL Legal
TOPIC: Intellectual Property Law, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Donna Patane is a lawyer and registered trade marks attorney and is North Queensland’s expert in intellectual property law. In 2020 Donna founded Dripl a modern firm which offers legal and strategic advice on IP and trade mark protection and enforcement, founder and investor relationships and commercialisation deals throughout Australia and internationally. Donna is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and business owners in her region through approachable advice, connections and mentoring. She is a wealth of knowledge and a ton of fun.
Gary Meyers, Professor of Law; and Fellow, The Cairns Institute
TOPIC: Human Rights & International Law
Gary is a Professor of Law at JCU here in Cairns. He is also an Emeritus Professor at Murdoch University. From 1994-97, he was the inaugural director of the National Native Title Tribunal Legal Research Unit. He teaches environmental law, international law, and human rights law. His main research interests are in comparative indigenous land rights law and environmental and natural resources law.
Ms Tanjil Whitnell, Coordinator at the Dispute Resolution Centre Cairns (DJAG) and Criminal Law Lecturer at JCU
TOPIC: Alternative Dispute Resolution
As a lawyer, Tanjil Whitnell has practiced in criminal law and family law, as well as lecturing in criminal law, before moving into child protection conferencing and ultimately mediation. As a Nationally Accredited Mediator Tanjil managed the FNQ Dispute Resolution Centre (Department of Justice & Attorney General) and also qualified as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and is completing a Masters in Applied Law. She also currently lectures in criminal law at JCU.
Mr Naim Santos-Miller, Solicitor, Environmental Defenders Officer
Panellist
Naim Santos-Miller grew up in Townsville, studying a joint Arts-Law degree at James Cook University where he graduated with honours in both Arts and Law. After graduating, he volunteered at the Environmental Defenders Office and was offered a paid position when he was admitted as a solicitor in 2019. In his 5 years of practice, Naim has provided members of the public and community groups free legal advice on a broad range of public interest environmental matters, from protest and freedom of speech to cultural heritage, climate change and the Great Barrier Reef. His practice focuses primarily on achieving environmental outcomes through proactive advocacy to targeted decision makers to minimise cost and time in litigation. He also actively engages in seeking changes to our environmental laws; authoring reports and submissions to proposed laws, and appearing before parliamentary committees.
Ms Renee Lees, Solicitor, Cairns Community Legal Centre
Panellist
Renee Lees is a lawyer with Cairns Community Legal Centre working in the domestic violence court. For over 20 years she has combined a professional career in the law with involvement in movements and organisations for social and environmental justice in regional and urban Australia across New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Queensland. She led a major investigation into conditions for women prisoners in the Northern Territory, established a homeless legal service, worked as a criminal defence lawyer in remote communities, ran for election, performed with punk bands and recently learnt to knit. She is passionate about access to justice in a changing world.
Location: Townsville - 5 August 2024, Sir George Kneipp Auditorium, Building 26-002
| Times | Speakers |
|---|---|
| 8.30 | Schools to arrive at 8.30am for registration. Conference will commence at 9am sharp. |
| 9.00 - 9.05 | Opening of conference delivered by Dr Neil Dunbar, Acting Head of Law JCU |
| 9.05 - 9.15 | Welcome to Country - Ms Gracelyn Smallwood |
| 9.15 - 9.45 | Topic 1: Youth Justice Presented by: Mr Nicolas Douglas - Senior Crime Lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland |
| 9.45 - 10.15 | Topic 2: Ethics and the Ethical Use of AI Presented by: Dr Anthony Marinac - Law Lecturer at JCU |
| 10.15 - 10:40 | Morning Tea Break |
| 10.40 - 11.50 | Why Study Law? Presented by: Dr Neil Dunbar Introduction to the JCU NOW Program Presented by: Ms Susan Hatherell from the JCU NOW Program |
| 10.50 - 11.00 | Student Meet and Greet Activity |
| 11.00 - 11.40 | Topic 3: Panel Q&A Discussion on Youth Rights Topic: Youth Rights Panellists: - Dr Anthony Marinac - Law Lecturer at JCU - Dr Bill Mitchell, Principal Solicitor at Townsville Community Legal - Ms Lorelei Billing, Solicitor at the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) - Ms Merissa Martinez, Barrister at Paloma Chambers |
| 11.40 - 12.25 | Lunch - Subway provided by JCU |
| 12.30 - 12.40 | What’s it like being a law student at JCU? Presentation and Q&A from the JCULSS, Law Students Society |
| 12.40 - 12.55 | Topic 4: Human Rights and International Law Presented by: Mr Michael Murray – Barrister, Sturt Chambers |
| 12.55 - 13.10 | Topic 5: Alternative Dispute Resolution & Restorative Justice Presented by: Ms Filitsa Kounias – Law Lecturer at JCU |
| 13.10 - 13.15 | Closing remarks – Presented by Dr Neil Dunbar, Acting Head of Law JCU |
| 13.15 | Conference Closed. |
Nicholas Douglas, Senior Criminal Lawyer, Legal Aid QLD
TOPIC: Youth Justice
Nick completed his studies at James Cook University in 2012. He worked at the Director of Public Prosecutions Office throughout this time, before spending two years as the Associate to both His Honour Judge John Baulch SC and the Honourable Justice David North. Since 2016, Nick has worked for Legal Aid Queensland, both within the Townsville office as well as in the Youth Team in Brisbane.
Dr Anthony Marinac, Law Lecturer, JCU
TOPIC: Ethics & the Ethical Use of AI
Anthony teaches contract law, administrative law and legal ethics. His key focus is the development of innovative teaching and assessment strategies for law students. He operates Australia’s largest legal education YouTube channel, and has an extensive history in private practice, as a military lawyer, as Counsel Assisting the State Coroner, and as a parliamentary officer.
Michael Murray, Barrister, Sturt Chambers
TOPIC: Human Rights & International Law
Michael was called to the Bar in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from James Cook University. Prior to coming to the Bar, Michael practised for over a decade in both the private and pro bono sectors. He maintained an extensive civil and administrative law practice, advising and representing clients in a range of jurisdictions in Australia. Michael has extensive experience in inquiries and inquests, having acted in a range of matters including deaths in care, deaths in custody or during police operations, deaths caused by systemic issues impacting First Nations people, deaths caused by domestic and family violence, cold case reviews and missing persons matters. Michael has lectured in Human Rights Law and Clinical Legal Studies at James Cook University. He is a well-respected practitioner in North Queensland and has been the president of the Townsville District Law Association and the North Queensland Law Association. In 2021, his work was recognised by the Queensland Law Society when he was awarded the Emerging Leader Award.
Ms Filitsa Kounias, Law Lecturer, JCU
TOPIC: Alternative Dispute Resolution & Restorative Justice
Filitsa completed her studies at James Cook University in 2007. Her career has lead her from Commonwealth DPP to Drug Court Coordinator and Childrens Court Prosecutor for the QPS. She has worked as a criminal lawyer for Legal Aid and in private practice. Her most recent project aside has seen her redevelop and enhance the Restorative Justice Practice with Youth Justice in Townsville.
Dr Bill Mitchell, Principal Solicitor at Townsville Community Legal
Panellist
Bill Mitchell OAM Hon LLD was JCU’s first admitted solicitor in 1992. He is Principal Lawyer at Townsville Community Law. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by JCU and holds an appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor of Law with JCU’s College of Law, Business and Governance. Bill received the Australian Human Rights Commission Law Award in 2008. He was awarded the Law Council of Australia’s President’s Medal in 2019. Bill was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020. He has represented Community Legal Centres Australia in various United Nations human rights forums since 2013.
Ms Lorelei Billing, Solicitor at the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS)
Panellist
Lorelei Billing is Quandamooka, Bundjalung and South Sea Islander woman, born and raised in Townsville, where she is a Criminal Solicitor at the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service and previously at Legal Aid Queensland. Lorelei holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University. Lorelei was admitted to practice as a Solicitor in 2015 and has practiced exclusively in Criminal Law. Lorelei is also the Immediate Past President of the North Queensland Law Association and a casual lecturer at JCU in the subject Indigenous People and the Law. Lorelei was the awarded the Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law aware in 2023 for First Nations’ Solicitor of the Year. Lorelei is committed to ensuring there is a voice and a place for our current and emerging First Nations legal practitioners in Queensland.
Merissa Martinez, Barrister at Paloma Chambers
Panelist
Merissa is a JCU graduate, who has practised as a partner in a City and International law firm in London, and now as a barrister from Townsville. She specialises in complex infrastructure disputes and is a passionate advocate for social change.