Simon Cleary

Simon grew up in Toowoomba before studying literature and law at the University of

Queensland in Brisbane.

His first job was in Sydney at the Redfern Legal Centre working for disadvantaged

and vulnerable clients with financial problems.

He worked for Legal Aid, then as Australian Deputy Telecommunications

Ombudsman, and now as a Brisbane barrister primarily practicising in commercial

litigation .

Simon was a founding member of the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing

House (now LawRight), and has served on numerous boards and committees of

organizations in the legal and community sectors over the years. He is currently a

member of the Law Council of Australia’s Consumer Law Committee.

In his spare time Simon writes novels His three published novels are The War

Artist (2019), Closer to Stone (2012) and The Comfort of Figs (2008).

Simon talks about:

 Growing up in Toowoomba and how his father and the school he attended

helped foster his interest in social justice;

 Why a trip to West Affica was instrumental in changing his career from an

environmental agriculturalist to a lawyer;

 His introduction to Justice Michael Kirby as a callow youth;

 The benefits of working for organisations that aim to help ordinary people

pursue legal careers;

 How he found the time to write three books whilst pursuing a busy legal

career;

 Juggling a personal and professional life; and

 so much more.

Joining me to interview Simon is Alisa Cleary a trained teacher,educator and Simon’s

wife

My thanks to Simon and Alisa.

You can contact Simon at his website

FB: @simonclearyauthor

Insta: @simonclearyauthor

Twitter: @ClearyS