Professional Information
Stephen was first called to the Bar in Queensland in 1985. He took silk in 2004.
Stephen was a founding member of Higgins Chambers in Brisbane when it opened in early 1986. Stephen is also a member of Republic Chambers in Salamanca Place, Battery Point, Hobart.
Stephen joined Michael Kirby Chambers in August, 2024.
Stephen is currently chair of Capital Punishment Justice Program Inc (formerly Reprieve Australia), Australia’s only single issue, anti-death penalty NGO. Stephen is also patron of the Julia Wagner Memorial Fund, a Brisbane based anti-death penalty NGO which, inter alia, raises funds to support Australian volunteers to work as interns in Capital Defence Centers in the United States.
Stephen is a former member of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal and the Queensland Land Court. He was formerly president of the Legal Aid Commission (Queensland).
Stephen is an active member of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Council of Australia.
Stephen writes book reviews and other articles. His work can be found at Hearsay and on the Academia platform.
Selected Cases Links
Pollock v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 233
Spence v State of Queensland (2019) 93 ALJR 643
Love and Thoms v Commonwealth (2020) 270 CLR 152
Coughlan v The Queen (2020) 267 CLR 654
Orreal v The Queen [2021] HCA 44
Contact Information
Michael Kirby Chambers
Level 27, St Martins Tower
44 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
M: 0433 846 518
E: s.keim@higginschambers.com.au
Areas of Practice
- Administrative law
- Workers compensation
- Appeals
- Criminal law (Regulatory matters)
Admitted to Practice
- Senior Counsel (2004)
- Queensland (1985)
Qualifications
- BA Llb (Hon.)