The Greek lawyer, Stavros Komninos, recently passed away. Komninos was the first Greek lawyer in Queensland. He was a revolutionary man, fighting for the rights of Aborigines and the protection of the environment.
According to his son Thanassis, he genuinely loved people and proved it with his actions. He was always trying to get to know his clients. Something he used to say was “only when you know the character of the other can you help him. Only then, you know what is best for him. ”
Komninos was a lover of nature and a passionate protector of the environment. Wildlife Protection Society of Queensland, named him as “the lawyer who used the legal system to protect wildlife.”
He was the first lawyer in Queensland who spoke Greek and was able to defend people whose mother language was Greek. He devoted his whole life helping the weak and defending their rights, often without profit.
One of the cases that made him stand out was the case of the actor Norm Stainer. In 1969, the actor was accused of using offensive phrases on stage and not adhering to public decency. The case reached the Supreme Court and then the Court of Appeal, where the defendant was acquitted. The defense of the right of free speech in the field of arts, established a precedent.
In 1994, he was awarded with the Australian Medal.
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