Examine 7 of the most crucial areas of concern for inhouse counsel in the energy and resources sector in one day. More than ever the litigation risks and governance and policy issues are impacting the industry. Gain critical insights into the many litigation risks including a deep dive into topics climate litigation, the use of drones and AI, native title compensation quantum plus an update on the mining industry recent case law. Be guided with valuable perspectives and strategies to navigate the appearing at senate committees, M&A due diligence and critical Minerals Policy concerns. Don't miss this essential event.

Presenters

Justin Edwards, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Justin Edwards practices at Francis Burt Chambers. He practices mainly in native title and administrative law. Before joining the bar Justin practiced at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers in Queensland; again, mostly in native title. A highlight of this part of his practice was working with the Wik and Wik Waya people in the Cape York region. Justin started his career at Yamatji Marlpa Aborginal Corporation as an articled clerk and then as a claim lawyer practicing out of Karratha


Dr. Colin Huntly, Barrister, Murray Chambers
Dr Colin Huntly is a Barrister in private practice at Murray Chambers. His practice includes criminal, family, regulatory and administrative law matters. With a background that includes 7 years as a full-time decision-maker on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, more than a decade in senior parliamentary and Ministerial service in Western Australia and Tasmania and an equivalent period as a legal academic, Colin is knowledgeable, approachable and experienced in the range of issues that are likely to arise if your organisation finds itself involved in a parliamentary inquiry. Colin’s parliamentary inquiry-related work included matters as diverse as parliamentary privilege, cross-border jurisdiction, altruistic surrogacy, sale of government business enterprises, Annual Estimates, recreational fishing, judicial and executive appointments, electricity distribution systems, and public sector workforce reform legislation. The session will be informative, practical, and interactive, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, pose hypotheticals, and gain insight that will assist in-house counsel in developing relevant and informed standard operating procedures for dealing with parliamentary inquiries.


David Salim, Group CEO and Principal Solicitor, Hetherington Legal
David Salim has been a cornerstone of Hetherington since joining the team in 2010. Rising through the ranks to become the Group CEO of both Hetherington Sydney in 2016 and Hetherington Perth in 2019, David has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s evolution into a full-service firm in resources, mining, and environmental law. David holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wollongong, where his focus on Environmental Law and Native Title Law laid the foundation for his future endeavours. Further honing his legal acumen, David completed his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2009. Before joining Hetherington, David gained invaluable experience working in the NSW Parliament within the Shadow Attorney General’s Office and a private law firm. His early career provided a diverse range of legal experiences, preparing him to handle the complex challenges he would later face in the mining and environmental sectors. Under David’s leadership, Hetherington has expanded to encompass three specialised entities: Hetherington Tenements, Hetherington Legal, and Hetherington Environmental. David has established a reputation for delivering top-tier legal compliance, regulatory guidance, and strategic management of exploration and mining tenure. His expertise extends beyond Australia, advising ASX-listed and privately-owned companies in jurisdictions across the Pacific, New Zealand, Canada, North and South America, the Middle East, and India. David’s industry recognition speaks to his impact. As a finalist in the 2019 NSW Minerals Council’s Young Achiever Award and the 2020 Gender Diversity Advocate Award, he is not only a legal expert but also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. David has played a pivotal role in land access negotiations, Native Title arbitrations, and the management of state-significant developments, earning him a respected place among his peers. He is also a specialist in due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, particularly in drafting and advising on complex joint ventures and farm-in agreements. His stewardship of over 200 mining companies, both domestic and international, is a testament to his strategic insight and dedication to client success. Moreover, David is a recognised expert in the VALMIN Code 2015 and the preparation of ASIC and ASX-compliant Independent Solicitor Reports. His work has been critical in enabling companies to navigate the rigorous requirements of the Australian, Canadian, and Singaporean Stock Exchanges. David’s commitment to excellence and client service is unwavering. His ambition to become a leading authority in the industry is matched only by his dedication to advancing diversity, inclusion, and community engagement within the sector.


Raelene Webb KC, Murray Chambers
Raelene Webb KC holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia in 1992. In 2004 she was appointed Queens Counsel. Raelene was appointed President of the National Native Title Tribunal for a five-year term in 2013 after a distinguished career as a barrister and has now returned to private practice at Murray Chambers in Western Australia. She is recognised as one of the leading native title silks in Australia and has appeared as lead counsel in many native title and Aboriginal land matters and advised upon, and appeared in the High Court, in most land-, mark cases on the judicial interpretation and development of native title law since the decision of Mabo v Queensland (No 2). Raelene is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and was awarded the Law Council of Australia Presidents' Medal in 2014, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the legal profession in Australia.


Nunzio Lucarelli KC, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Nunzio has practised as a barrister in large, complex commercial litigation for 38 years. He has been a King’s Counsel for 24 years. He appears in a broad range of commercial law matters, including in the areas of: contract law; corporations law; misleading or deceptive conduct; mining law; international commercial arbitration; property law; equity and trusts; international law; torts; insolvency and administrative law. Nunzio is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. In addition to being a member of the Victorian Bar, Nunzio is also a member of the Western Australian Bar and the English Bar. Nunzio is experienced in all facets of trial and appellate advocacy in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Supreme Courts of other States, the Federal Court of Australia, the High Court of Australia and in international commercial arbitrations.


Katie Winterbourne, Partner, Piper Alderman
Katie is a partner in the Projects team of Piper Alderman. She has over 25 years’ experience working on commercial legal matters for resources, energy and infrastructure companies. Katie advises on Crown Land access, permitting and regulatory compliance, project development, closure and rehabilitation in Western Australia, negotiating agreements with all levels of government, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. She also has extensive experience working with the environmental and water regulatory regimes across Australia and in Alberta, Canada. Katie worked as an in-house lawyer at BHP for over 4 years and earlier in her career undertook several legal research projects while studying in Calgary, including advising the Chair of the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board on hearings involving contaminated land and water allocation. Katie is recognised in Best Lawyers Australia for Planning and Environmental Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law.


David Perks, Partner, MinterEllison
David co-leads the Corporate and Commercial team in Perth and has over 25 years experience advising some of Australia’s leading energy and resources companies. David has a broad range of corporate experience with particular expertise advising ASX 200 clients on large, complex and innovative transactions. As a highly-regarded corporate and commercial lawyer, David has been consistently ranked as one of Australia’s leading energy and resources lawyers in various directories. Recognised by his peers in The Best Lawyers in Australia for his work in Corporate/Governance Practice, Energy Law, Mining Law, Oil & Gas Law, Natural Resources Law and Equity Capital Markets (2013 to 2023), David is also ranked in The Asia-Pacific Legal 500. David also has expert knowledge of the Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules, the petroleum legislative regime, the mining legislative regime and foreign investment regulation.


Samantha Nadilo, Barrister, Fourth Floor Chambers
Samantha is an experienced commercial barrister. She appears unled, and led, in a variety of courts and in tribunals, arbitrations, mediations, regulatory examinations, and public inquiries. Naturally in WA, Samantha has sector expertise in mining and energy and resources disputes. Samantha has expertise in mining law, arbitration (domestic and international), corporations law, contract, corporate crime and investigations, anti-bribery and corruption, class actions and access regulation. Samantha is a member of the panel of individuals that can act as arbitrators in the event of a dispute under the Railways (Access) Code 2000. Before being called to the bar, Samantha was a Senior Associate in the Disputes team at Herbert Smith Freehills. She joined Freehills (as it then was) in 2007 and practised in both Perth and Sydney.