Tuesday Lunchtime Speaker Series

Recent Speakers

- Julian Burnside QC
- Michael Sexton SC
- Cardinal George Pell
- Brother Julian McDonald
- Premier Kristina Keneally
- Professor Greg Craven
- Professor Ron McCallum AO
- Justice Francis MacGregor
- The Hon. John Watkins
- Dr Peter Howard
- The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG

Julian Burnside QC

Maithri Panagoda, Julian Burnside QC, Howard Harrison

^ Back to top

 Michael Sexton

Peter Punch, Michael Sexton SC, Olivia Mailian

Michael Sexton SC, NSW Solicitor General, appeared as part of our Tuesday Lunchtime Speaker Series on 5 July, addressing staff and guests with an overview of the Obama presidency to date and the prospects for his re-election, together with the rise of the Tea Party and the future role of America on the international stage in the light of its involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 ^ Back to top

Cardinal George Pell

Hanaan Indari, Cardinal Pell and Howard Harrison

On 11 April Cardinal George Pell visited Carroll & O'Dea and spoke about the extraordinary life story of John Henry Newman and his contribution to theology and academia and the current position on his recognition as a Saint within the Catholic Church.

^ Back to top

Brother Julian McDonald

As part of the Tuesday Lunch Time Speaker Series, Brother Julian McDonald attended the Firm to reflect on his time as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, and the University’s innovative engagement in community programs. Associate Professor Peter Howard, spoke specifically on the Clemente Program and the Carroll & O'Dea / Clemente joint venture.

^ Back to top

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally talks to Carroll & O'Dea about work life balance

Marian Baird, Howard Harrison and Kristina Keneally	Kristina Keneally

On 9 August at the College of Law Kristina Keneally spoke to friends and staff of Carroll & O'Dea about the challenges faced by working parents and the social issues involved in paid parental leave.

Marian Baird, Professor of Work and Organisations at the University of Sydney, also spoke. Professor Baird presented an economic history of Australian women in the workforce, providing a basis for thoughtful discussion amongst the audience and speakers.

^ Back to top

Professor Greg Craven
Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University

Professor Greg Craven appeared as part of our Tuesday Lunchtime Speaker Series on 22 June, addressing staff and guests on the issue of State and Federal legislative power and Australia's direction from a judicial, legislative and political perspective.

^ Back to top

Professor Ron McCallum AO
Rapporteur to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On 11 May, Australia's leading industrial law academic, Professor Ron McCallum AO, addressed staff and guests as part of our Lunchtime Speaker Series, giving insight into his role as Rapporteur to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

^ Back to top

Justice Francis MacGregor

Mark deCarvalho, Justice Francis MacGregor	Justice Francis MacGregor

The President of The Seychelles Court of Appeal, Justice Francis MacGregor, addressed a gathering of staff and some guests on Monday 2nd November. Justice MacGregor gave us an overview of the Seychelles' Legal System, a rare hybrid system, evolving from French civil law and English common law. He also spoke about his visit to Australia to attend the recent 4th International Conference on the Training of the Judiciary, organised by The International Organization for Judicial Training. We were very grateful to our Solicitor, Sofia MacGregor for introducing her father to us and very appreciative of his generosity in taking the time to present to us.

^ Back to top

The Hon. John Watkins

Diana Farah, The Hon. John Watkins and Howard Harrison	The Hon. John Watkins and Howard Harrison

On Tuesday 13 October, staff and guests of Carroll & O'Dea were privileged to listen to an informative and thought provoking talk presented by The Hon John Watkins.  Mr Watkins is the former Deputy Premier of NSW and is presently the CEO of Alzheimer's Australia NSW. The talk focused on the future impact of ageing and dementia on our society.  He also briefly shared some insights into his time in NSW politics. 

If you would like to learn more about Alzheimer's Disease, need support or information about advocacy, visit their web site at  www.Alzheimers.org.au

^ Back to top

Dr Peter Howard from Australian Catholic University

Mark de Carvalho and Dr Peter Howard	Dr Peter Howard, Josephine Heesh and Mrs Brophy

Recently, as part of our Tuesday Lunchtime Speaker Series, Dr Peter Howard from Australian Catholic University, addressed the staff at Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers about Clemente, the program which the University offers to some of the most marginalised members of Australian society.

If you are interested in knowing more about Clemente, visit Clemente Australia.

^ Back to top

The Hon. Mr Michael Kirby AC CMG

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG addresses Partners, staff and friends of Carroll & O'Dea	Mrs Ramya Panagoda, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG and Maithri Panagoda, Partner

At Carroll & O'Dea , we regularly invite prominent members of the community to address the staff and guests on particular issues affecting society. These speakers are the guests at our "Tuesday Lunchtime Speaker Series". The Hon. Mr Michael Kirby AC CMG, former judge of the High Court of Australia was a guest. Mr Kirby spoke about the challenges and joys of trying to seek a work/life balance in the legal profession. Carroll & O'Dea is very grateful for the time he took out of his schedule to address the staff and guests of the Firm.