SECL: How to Protect Against + Deal with Client Complaints
CPD: 1 point (EW, PS)
Format: In-person and livestreamed
Recorded: Yes, subject to presenters' consent
Thursday 26 March 2026 4-5pm, in-person and via Zoom
The following and more will be covered in this session:
- Protecting yourself from client complaints: practical steps to reduce risk, including:
- Making clear and consistent file notes
- Managing client expectations from the start
- Staying within ethical and professional boundaries - What happens when a complaint is made: an outline of the complaints process:
- How the LPBT handles complaints
- The stages of investigation
- Support available for practitioners during the process - Common issues raised by clients: outline the differences in complaints across practice areas
- Areas of law with higher complaint rates
- Types of outcomes and resolutions
Presenters

Regina Weiss, Barrister, recently returned to Hobart to join Derwent & Tamar Chambers after nine years in The Hague and five years in Canberra. She is a graduate of UTAS and commenced her legal career as Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Alan Blow. She was a Federal Prosecutor with the Commonwealth DPP in Hobart, and then moved to The Hague. From 2007 to 2016, Regina prosecuted war crimes and crimes against humanity as a trial lawyer at the International Criminal Court. In addition to trial advocacy and case preparation at the seat of the court in The Hague, Regina also worked on the ground in situation countries with witnesses and victims, predominantly in east Africa. Regina is on the list of counsel for victims and defence at the ICC and is actively involved with the ICC Bar Association as focal point for Australia, Western Europe and other states and Chair of the Ecocide Working Group.

Amber Cohen is a graduate of the University of Tasmania, completing the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and being admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2003. Ms Cohen is currently a Consultant at a law firm in Launceston, having practised mostly in civil litigation but with experience in commercial, property and employment law. Amber has previously served on the Council of the Law Society of Tasmania and the Social Sciences and Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Tasmania. She is currently a Commissioner of Criminal Injuries Compensation, Deputy President of the Tasmanian Racing Appeals Board, Member of the TASCAT Protective Division, Member of the Local Government Code of Conduct Panel and a Deputy Member of the Parole Board.

Marion Hale has worked in improving equity and justice in the community for the last 30 years. Marion’s career has spanned advocacy, crisis support, counselling, community development, policy development, population health and regulation. Marion was the Women’s Health Policy Officer in state government for 10 years and her commitment to gender and health was rewarded in 2012 when Marion was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to visit programs around the world, that support women to become smoke free in pregnancy. Marion was elected to be the President of the International Network of Women Against Tobacco in 2015 and served two terms as President. Marion is in her third term with TASCAT in the mental health stream and last year finished in her third term as a Community Member of Psychology Board of Australia. She is in her second 5- year term as a Lay Member on the Legal Professions Board of Tasmania. Marion sits on The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Special Interest Committee on Sexual Boundary and Family Violence Violations and the Dental Board of Australia’s Notification and Compliance Committee.
Venue Access: Please note that as the Society's building at 28 Murray Street, Hobart was built in 1876 there is no lift or disability access to the downstairs training area. The Society's building at 56 Charles Street, Launceston was built in 1860 and there is no lift or disability access to the upstairs rooms.
CPD Points: Any CPD points listed are provided as a guide and registrants should satisfy themselves about the nature and quantity of CPD points they can claim for the activity. Please refer to Practice Guideline no.4 HERE for details.
Refund/Cancellation: By registering for this event you (as a member or non-member) agree to the terms and conditions under the Society's Refund/Cancellation Policy and Terms and Conditions of Registration.
Non-Member Registrations: Conditions apply at the discretion of the Society. The Society will be in touch if you are not eligible to register and a refund will be issued.
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Thursday 26 March 2026 4-5pm, in-person and via Zoom