Friday, 22 May 2026 | 5:15pm - 7:15pm | Foyer AB, Adelaide Convention Centre

This event is now at full capacity. The book is still available to purchase.

During SA Law Week, join us at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday, 22 May for the launch of Graham Loughlin's biography of South Australian lawyer Paris Nesbit KC by former High Court Justice the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr. William Brereton will give a commentary on Paris Nesbit from a modern psychiatric perspective, comparing and contrasting his experiences with psychiatry today, and on forensic psychiatry, stigma, and the challenges of being a professional with major mental illness. Attendees will be invited to participate in a Q&A session on this theme moderated by William Boucaut KC.

This event is presented in collaboration with the Adelaide University School of Law, Legal Services Commission, South Australian Bar Association, the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL), and Pride in Law, reflecting the intersection of law, mental health, and professional wellbeing.

Paris Nesbit KC (1852–1927) was a brilliant yet controversial leader of the South Australian Bar for over 20 years, celebrated as a cultured scholar, poet, reformer and humanitarian, but criticised by some as erratic and egotistical. Intellectually gifted yet affected by mental illness, he was twice imprisoned and repeatedly confined to asylums. A prolific writer and lecturer inspired by liberal and Christian socialist ideas, he championed numerous social and legal reforms. Paris Nesbit KC: Quixotic Counsel explores his remarkable and turbulent life, tracing his career from articled clerk to King’s Counsel across five decades of South Australian legal history. 

Following the session, attendees are invited to stay for networking with light refreshments. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, with the author present for signing. The book is also available for pre orders from publisher Wakefield Press

About the Speakers:

The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG served as one of Australia’s most influential jurists and, upon retiring from the High Court of Australia in 2009, was its longest-serving judge. Michael Kirby was born and educated in Sydney.  He attended public schools and the University of Sydney.

After a short time as a solicitor, he was admitted to the NSW Bar.  In 1974, he was elected to the Bar Council.  In 1975 he was appointed to the Arbitration Commission and the Australia Law Reform Commission.  In 1983, he was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia.  In 1984 he became President of the NSW Court of Appeal.  He also served concurrently as the President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands.  Between 1996-2009 he was a Justice of the High Court of Australia.  Michael Kirby served on a number of national and international bodies, including as chairman of the UN Commission of Inquiry on North Korea (2013-14).  He undertakes local mediations and international commercial arbitrations.  He lives in Sydney with his partner, Johan van Vloten, since 1969.  His most recent book, published by Federation Press is titled: Law, Justice and Other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby (2025).

Dr William Brereton, MB ChB, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, LL.M (distinction)

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with Forensic Mental Health Services South Australia, Head of Unit for Inpatient Services, Clinical Lecturer with University of Adelaide, Committee member of the RANZCP faculty of forensic psychiatry 2014-2026.

Dr Brereton qualified from Birmingham medical school in 1998 and trained in the UK.  H has worked in the field of forensic psychiatry since 2003 and became a consultant in 2007, before moving to South Australia in 2008.

While in forensic mental health in South Australia, he has worked in all aspects of the service, from acute admissions to community patients, and conducted clinics in all the prisons in the State.  The bulk of his practice has been the inpatient rehabilitation of forensic patients and their re-introduction to the community.

His work includes the teaching of medical students and registrars, and has involved other projects over the years such as being the medical lead for the establishment of the forensic step-down community rehabilitation unit and a member of the State taskforce to introduce voluntary assisted dying.

Throughout his career he has also written court reports and given evidence in court for criminal matters.  This has predominately been for District and Supreme Court cases, including multiple cases of homicide.  The reports have included matters related to sentencing and indeterminate orders for high risk violent and sexual offenders, but the majority have been assessments for fitness to plead/stand trial and mental competence.

Registration includes: light refreshments and nibbles 

This event is now at full capacity, please email [email protected] to be put on a waitlist. 

To create a Law Society account: (Please note Non-Members of The Law Society must create an account to register)
Begin Registration → Create Account → enter email & mobile → Create Account → complete details & save → Continue → Register.

This is a complimentary Member and Non-Member event. If you encounter any issues with registration, please contact [email protected]

About the author:
A history graduate of the then University of Adelaide, Graham Loughlin spent several years as a secondary school teacher and later as a lecturer at the then Murray Park College of Advanced Education. He then served as the first Research Officer appointed in the South Australian Parliamentary Library before accepting successive positions as speech writer with the NSW Leader of the Opposition and policy adviser with the SA Premier and Treasurer. In the 1980s he moved to senior executive roles in the Credit Union industry, first in South Australia and then nationally. He is now retired and lives in Sydney.

Thank you to our event sponsors: