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.


Melinda Walker, Melinda Walker Criminal Lawyer
Melinda was admitted to practice in 2000, commenced sole practice in 2003 and has conducted her practice coming on 23 years. She has now been involved in the services of Law for over 31 years in various capacities. She attained Accredited Criminal Law Specialisation in 2014 and was Co-Chair of the Executive Committee for the Criminal Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria (“LIV”) 2017-2021. In 2017 Melinda was appointed the Chair of the Bail Reform Committee on behalf of the Law Institute of Victoria to make submissions to the Honourable Justice Coghlan who presided over the Bail review. She was also LIV representative at the Bail Reform Project, Criminal Justice Strategy & Coordination – Bail Reform Implementation Working Group convened by the Department of Justice & Regulation 2017-2018 to identify priorities for the development of the “Coghlan Recommendations” and consider proposals for action and appeared before the Coroners Court inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson as a member of expert panel on bail law. Melinda has extensive experience and knowledge of all jurisdictions and have appeared as counsel and instructor in all courts. I have represented many Indigenous clients and appeared in Koori Court both in the Magistrates’ Court and County Court jurisdictions. She has now been involved in the services of Law for close to 30 years in various capacities. This includes paid and volunteer work. Melinda is an active participant in law reform in the areas of bail, family violence, sentencing, youth, policy and procedure.