In conversation with... Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson, an ANU law graduate, is a London-based human rights lawyer, known internationally for her work as legal advisor to WikiLeaks and its editor-in-chief, Julian Assange. Jen has acted in numerous high profile free speech and freedom of information cases before both the English courts and the European Court of Human Rights, advising clients such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, Associated Press, Human Rights Watch and Global Witness.

Through her work with Geoffrey Robertson QC, she has provided international law advice to governments and non-governmental organisations, including investigations into crimes against humanity in Iran and the liability of the Vatican and the Pope for child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. She has also conducted international human rights and trial observation missions on behalf of the International Bar Association.

 
At the ANU, Jen was University Medalist in Law and a Distinguished Scholar in Asian Studies before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. Her work in West Papua and Indonesia during her studies at the ANU cemented her interest in human rights, and she continues to advocate for the rights of West Papuans through her work with International Lawyers for West Papua.

Jen is currently Director of Legal Advocacy for the Bertha Foundation, developing a global public interest law program and working with social impact media to raise awareness about human rights issues and to create social change. She is also an adjunct lecturer in law at the University of Sydney.

In conversation with... Robert Stary

Robert Stary is an Australian criminal defence lawyer, best known for defending Jack Thomas – the first Australian to be convicted under anti-terrorism laws, and for being Julian Assange’s Australian lawyer. Robert’s clients have included five of the accused in the Bennrika terrorism trial, several of the protesters who clashed with police during the G20 summit in 2006, and crime underworld figure Carl Williams.

After working at Victoria Legal Aid, he practiced with Slater & Gordon for over 10 years before setting up his own practice. He was founder and Chair of the Western Suburbs Legal Service in Melbourne, and has been Chair of the Westadd Alcohol and Drug Agency.

Robert is a Patron of the Spirit of Eureka Committee, and in 2005, was awarded the Victoria Law Institute’s Human Rights Award. In 2008 he was recognised in The Age newspaper's top 100 people who have made a significant contribution to public life in Melbourne.

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In conversation with... the Hon. Ken Crispin

As a barrister and Queens Counsel specialising in criminal law, Ken Crispin appeared for a number of high-profile defendants, including Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, and the Chelmsford Victims Action Group. After a period as ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, he was a judge of the ACT Supreme Court, president of the ACT Court of Appeal, and chair of the ACT Law Reform Commission. As well, he holds a PhD in ethics.

Ken Crispin has written numerous articles on justice, law and ethics, and the libretto for an opera. He is the author of two books: ‘The Crown versus Chamberlain’ and recently ‘The Quest for Justice’ in which he asks ‘What is justice?’, and explores contemporary challenges to fundamental rights and freedoms.

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In conversation with.... Hilary Charlesworth

Hilary Charlesworth is known internationally for her research, writing and commentary on human rights, women’s issues, feminism, international law and legal education. Hilary is an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow, Professor in the Regulatory Institutions Network at the ANU, and Director of the Centre for International Governance and Justice, ANU. She also holds an appointment as Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the ANU College of Law. She has taught and has held visiting appointments at United States and European universities.

In 2009 she was appointed as one of the four Australian members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Hilary is Patron of the ACT Women’s Legal Service and a patron of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. She has worked with various non-governmental human rights organisations on ways to implement international human rights standards. In 2003 she chaired the Australian Capital Territory inquiry into an ACT bill of rights, which led to the ACT Human Rights Act.

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In conversation with... Julian Burnside

Julian Burnside AO QC is a Melbourne barrister and author. He specialises in commercial litigation and has acted for the Ok Tedi people against BHP, for Alan Bond in fraud trials, for Rose Porteous in actions against Gina Rinehart, and for the Maritime Union of Australia in the 1998 waterfront dispute against Patrick Stevedores. He was the Senior Counsel assisting the Australian Broadcasting Authority in the ‘Cash for Comment’ inquiry.

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