Presenters

Shirley Casey, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Shirley is a Barrister at Francis Burt Chambers. Prior to joining Francis Burt Chambers, she was a Barrister at Albert Wolff Chambers. Shirley has worked mainly in criminal defence and represents clients in all courts throughout WA. Shirley was regarded in Doyles Guide as a leading criminal barrister 2024.


Kirsten Edwards SC, Forbes Chambers
Kirsten is a barrister at Forbes Chambers practising predominantly in criminal law and coronial inquests. Kirsten’s appearances as junior counsel in the High Court include IMM, Hughes, Kadir & Grech, Dansie and, in relation to DNA evidence, Forbes and Aytugrul. Kirsten’s experience in complicity law includes working on submissions for the High Court cases of Miller v The Queen and Mitchell et al v The King and appearing in the Supreme Court (with Phillip Boulten SC) for Harriet Wran who was charged with murder on the basis of extended joint enterprise combined with constructive murder (ultimately pleading to lesser charges). Kirsten is an Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW and has also lectured at UTS and Sydney Law Schools. Before coming to the Bar, she was an Associate to Justice Michael Kirby, completed a Masters in Law at Yale Law School as a Fulbright Scholar and spent three years as a duty solicitor at the Legal Aid Commission. In 2005 Kirsten spent 6 months working with the Innocence Project in the USA for prisoners on death row and serving sentences of life without parole.


Sharyn Hall SC, Samuel Griffith Chambers
Sharyn Hall SC is a Senior Counsel with extensive experience in criminal law, coronial inquests, inquiries and royal commissions, Land and Environment Court Class 5 proceedings, and high-risk offender applications. She was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1999, became a barrister in 2007, and registered as a practitioner of the High Court of Australia in 2008. In 2021, Sharyn was appointed Senior Counsel in recognition of her expertise and professional achievements. Sharyn holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney. Her early career included work as a solicitor at the Western Aboriginal Legal Service and Legal Aid NSW, where she developed a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy for vulnerable clients. She also contributes to the legal profession as an advocacy instructor for the NSW Bar Association and the Australian Advocacy Institute. Sharyn is an active member of the NSW Bar Association’s Legal Aid Committee, supporting efforts to improve access to justice for disadvantaged communities. Known for her professionalism, advocacy skills, and dedication, Sharyn provides high-quality legal representation in complex and challenging matters.