Ms Karen Conte

Biography

Karen Conte is a lecturer in the Law School at UNE and a practising barrister (since 2007), mediator and arbitrator. Karen practices in the areas of Family Law, Crime, Care and Protection Law and Defamation. Prior to her life as a lawyer and a lecturer, Karen was a primary school principal and primary school teacher for twenty years. Lecturing in law combines her two passions: the law and education. Karen has a particular interest in all aspects of Children’s Law issues and has written this unit of study for the LLB and LLM programs at UNE. Karen is the unit coordinator and lecturer in Introduction to Legal Studies, Professional Conduct and Children’s Law units at UNE. As a teacher, Karen has received a National Excellence in Teaching Award and worked with the ‘Project Zero’ team at Harvard University. As a barrister, Karen has written and presents the ‘Barristers In Schools’ program through the NSW Bar Association and NSW Talent Centre, a program she sees as integral in raising up the next generation of outstanding lawyers. Karen also presents on Family Law issues at conferences for practising lawyers. Karen’s academic qualifications are: MEd (Administration) (UWS); LLB (Macquarie); BEd (UWS); Dip Legal Practice (College of Law NSW); Dip Teach (Nepean).

Qualifications

• Diploma in Teaching (General Primary): Nepean College of Advanced Education, Kingswood NSW (1986-1988)
• Certificate in Signed English: Penrith TAFE (1989)
• Bachelor of Education (General Primary): University of Western Sydney, Kingswood (1989 – 1990)
• Master of Education (Administration): University of Western Sydney, Kingswood (1992 – 1993) (By cousework and thesis: ‘The Relationship of Teacher Training and Development to Increased Learning Outcomes for Students')
• Bachelor of Laws: Macquarie University (Distance Education) (1995 – 2000)
• Certificate in Education Studies: Harvard University, Cambridge MASS (1999) Project Zero Team at the invitation of Professor Howard Gardner
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice: College of Law, St Leonards NSW (2006)
• Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia (November 2006)
• Bar Practice Course NSW Bar Association (October 2007)
• Called to the NSW Bar (October 2007)
• National Accreditation and Graduate Diploma in Mediation: Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) (2018)
• National Accreditation and Graduate Diploma in Arbitration: Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) (2018)

Awards

National Excellence in Teaching Award (1994)

LSU100 Unit Commendation: Achieving an excellent result in overall student satisfaction Trimester 1 2021

Teaching Areas

LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies

LAW320 Professional Conduct

LAW395/LLM595 Special Studies: Children’s Law

Research Interests

The paramount consideration of the Best Interests of a Child and whether Court orders (in hindsight) actually resulted in the best interests being achieved.

On-line learning and student engagement.

Memberships

NSW Bar Association

Australian Institute of Family Law Mediators and Arbitrators

Consultancy Interests

NSW Talent Centre: Writer and Presenter of Course ‘Trial by Jury’ for young gifted and talented students

NSW Bar Association: Barristers in Schools Program

Issues regarding Family Law and Schools

Community and Advocacy Organisation Collaborations

NSW Talent Centre ‘Mindquest’ program for young gifted and talented students