Sharpen your courtroom skills and boost your confidence in handling driving offences in Queensland — a focused afternoon of expert-led sessions covering everything from preparing clients for traffic matters to defending serious charges and drafting effective written advocacy. Whether you're new to criminal law or looking to refine your approach, this essentials-based program is designed to give you practical, actionable insights.

Presenters

Jenna du Preez, Barrister, Fullagar Chambers
Jenna was called to the bar in 2025. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2015. Jenna has a diverse legal background with experience in private practice and Government roles, most recently at Legal Aid Queensland. With a focus predominantly on criminal defence, Jenna has gained significant experience representing clients in a broad range of matters from the Magistrates Court to the Court of Appeal. As a regular duty lawyer, Jenna has appeared in over 200 sentences and over 100 bail application in the Magistrates Court. This has allowed her to develop and refine her advocacy skills. In addition to criminal law, Jenna has experience in migration law, assisting clients with visa applications, refusals, and cancellations. Jenna has also worked in domestic violence, child protection, property law, and with Queensland Corrective Services.


Amy Soong, Legal Practice Director, Ashworth Lawyers
Amy Soong is the Legal Practice Director of Ashworth Lawyers, a criminal defence firm she founded in 2014 focusing on defending serious and complex Queensland and Commonwealth crimes. With more than 17 years of experience exclusively in criminal defence, she has acted in a wide range of complex matters including large-scale drug operations, transnational organised crime, sexual violence, and major fraud. Amy holds a Master of Laws, has completed the Bar Practice Course, and is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries. She is an active member of the Queensland Law Society Wellbeing Working Group. Amy’s contributions have been recognised through multiple honours, including being named a finalist for the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Lord Mayor’s Business Award, finalist for the 2024 Executive of the Year Women in Law Award, and 2025 Trailblazer of the Year at Law Biz Con.


Tom Gardiner, Principal, Fisher Dore Lawyers
Tom is a Principal of Fisher Dore Lawyers and an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist (QLS). Tom has over a decade of experience in criminal law and is leading criminal lawyer in the Doyles Guide. Tom has appeared in all Courts throughout Queensland and instructed counsel in the High Court of Australia. Tom’s practice includes a wide range of criminal law matters, domestic violence applications and advice work.

James Wallace, Barrister, Holmes Chambers
James was called to the Bar in November of 2022 after 15 years of experience as a solicitor where he practiced almost exclusively in criminal defence work. This work included a plethora of appearances in traffic matters for everything from speeding offences through to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. James was admitted as a solicitor in 2007 and undertook various areas of work before settling on criminal defence as his passion. He was employed at a very busy inner city boutique firm for some years where he worked on all manner of matters from speeding fines to murders. He ultimately started his own firm, Wallace O’Hagan Lawyers, in 2015 which quickly grew in terms of employees and presence to become a recognisable name in criminal law. The oddities and complexities of traffic law has always interested James, and he enjoyed learning of the various mandatory aspects of that particular area and potential ways around them. The case law surrounding those areas, including deeming provisions for fail to stop type offences, has been something that fascinated him and he has always enjoyed his appearances for these types of matters, win or lose.