This is it! Join a jam-packed day with 18 presentations in key areas of law including your ethics, professional skills and practice management, pick and choose the sessions that suit you to ensure real learning outcomes. Plus earn all your CPD units in just one day. Whether you stay the whole day or just the sessions that you need, this is an invaluable opportunity to stay square away your CPD points plus stay current without having to travel to the CBD.

Presenters

Stephen Mullette, Principal, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers
Stephen Mullette is a Principal at Matthews Folbigg Lawyers. He is a member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) and is a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation (Insolvency). He is also a member of the Law Council of Australia, Business Law Section, Insolvency and Restructuring Law Committee. Since 1996, he has been advising and appearing for clients in relation to insolvency related issues and proceedings. Stephen regularly advises both corporations, individuals and insolvency practitioners in relation to all forms of personal and corporate insolvency administrations, including as they relate to family law. He is a regular presenter on asset protection and insolvency related issues, and has written a number of papers and articles on insolvency and commercial litigation topics which have been published in journals and bulletins such as the Insolvency Law Journal, ARITA Australian Insolvency Journal, LexisNexis Insolvency Law Bulletin, and Wolters Kluwer Corporate News. He updates the CCH Australian Family Law Master Guide chapter on Bankruptcy and Third Parties.


Mary Rebehy, Barrister and Mediator, Lachlan Macquarie Chambers
Mary Rebehy is a Barrister in Sydney who practises in a range of jurisdictions including administrative law, family law, and workplace facilitation. Mary is an accredited mediator and family dispute resolution practitioner. She has been a member of the Legal Aid Commission dispute resolution panel since 2000 and regularly chairs the court ordered mediations at the Parramatta, Family Court. Mary was previously the Manager of Executive and Ministerial Services at Office of State Revenue, and Director of Legal Management Services for the Department of Justice and Attorney General where she coordinated the Legal Services Review with NSW Treasury. Mary was appointed as a conference registrar at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal from 2006 to 2009 and currently serves on the Tribunal panel of early dispute resolution practitioners.


Jessica Diep, Partner, McLarens 
With over 16 years’ of experience specialising in corporate and commercial transactions, Jessica is highly regarded for her expertise in acting for business clients dealing with complicated commercial contracts. A commercially minded solicitor, Jessica has been involved in numerous acquisitions and mergers, commercial contracts, large real estate dealings, commercial and retail leasing issues and intellectual property matters. She has also dealt with many different business set ups, from multi-class share companies to Early Stage Investment Companies, discretionary family trusts, special property unit trusts, partnerships and individual traders. With a strong business mind and excellent negotiation skills, Jessica’s approachable and professional manner has delivered excellent dollar value across various business transactions and leasing work. Her passion for her work and ability to protect her clients' interests, while allowing them to remain focussed on their day-to-day business, is reflected in the number of long-term clients Jessica has gained and the referrals she is given from other solicitors.


Greg Martin, Principal, Martin Bullock Lawyers
Greg Martin is the principal of the firm Martin Bullock Lawyers and a senior solicitor of 35 years' experience. He has practiced in litigation for the whole of his career, including criminal law, personal injury, family law, wills and estates and extensive commercial litigation. Greg lectures in law at Western Sydney University, lecturing in Contracts, Advanced Torts, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Criminal Law. Greg is passionate about legal education, mentoring and coaching younger lawyers and law students, and approaching legal problems from outside the square to present cost effective and timely solutions for his clients. Greg was formerly an Accredited Specialist with the Law Society of NSW. Greg loves politics, art, and poetry and is eagerly awaiting the next Sydney Swans premiership. Greg is happy to advise you and to answer any of your questions.


Alistair Marshall, Founder and Director at Professional Services Business Development
Alistair Marshall has huge empathy with professionals who never get taught how to build their practice and his inspirational approach encourages people to stop just thinking and start doing. He has more than 30 years of experience in business development, helping hundreds of organisations to become easier to buy from. His fast and proven solutions help law firms, accountancy practices, engineers, banks, digital agencies and other professionals to quickly attract new clients and win more new business in a consistent and predictable manner. He has worked in national business development roles for multi-national corporations, with responsibility for budgets in excess of A$100m.


Chris Naughtin, National Director, Capital Markets, Research, Savills Australia
Chris Naughtin is a property economist, specialising in macroeconomic and capital markets research. Chris started his career as an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia in 2007, where he worked for 8 years in the Bank’s financial markets and monetary policy departments. He left the RBA to work at an investment consultant, providing advice on asset allocation and investment strategy to some of Australia’s largest superannuation funds. Chris transitioned to a career in the commercial property sector in 2018, firstly at Knight Frank Australia, focusing on macroeconomic and capital markets research, and office market research and forecasting. Currently, Chris works for Savills Australia & New Zealand as the National Director for capital markets research, assisting with research on key macroeconomic and investment market trends in commercial property.


Michael Byrnes, Partner, Swaab
Michael Byrnes is a partner of Swaab. He is a workplace relations lawyer with over 20 years' experience in assisting clients navigate employment and work health and safety issues. Michael runs specially tailored training programs and seminars for clients (including at board level). He also drafts and reviews workplace policies and undertakes complex and sensitive workplace investigations. As well as regularly presenting at conferences, Michael is often called upon for expert opinion in the media. He has appeared on numerous radio segments and regularly quoted in publications including The Australian Financial Review, The Age, Lawyers Weekly, Workplace Express, OHS Alert, SmartCompany, HRM Online and InTheBlack on workplace relations and WHS law issues. Michael is also a co-author of the LexisNexis publication "Annotated Fair Work Act & Related Legislation".


Malcolm Heath, Practice Risk Manager, Lawcover Insurance Pty Ltd
Malcolm Heath commenced with Lawcover in August 2012. He conducts practice management risk reviews of law practices involving onsite visits and interviews with principals, employed solicitors and senior support staff. Malcolm promotes risk management strategies through the Lawcover Risk Management Education Program, on-site at law practices, at the CPD of The Law Society of NSW, ACT Law Society, Regional Law Societies, universities, Legalwise Seminars, and other events. He also provides pastoral care to solicitors in need. Prior to joining Lawcover, Malcolm was a director of his own company for 20 years providing consulting services to the general insurance industry and the legal profession.


Owen Hayford, Principal, Infralegal
Owen has over 25 years experience advising on contracts, with a focus on infrastructure projects. Owen commenced his legal career at Clayton Utz, where he became a senior partner. He also led the infrastructure teams at PwC Legal and DLA Piper before graduating from the Big Firm model to establish Infralegal. Infralegal’s business model allows Owen to specialise in providing strategic legal and commercial advice without the overheads and constraints associated with the BigLaw business model. Owen has drafted and negotiated more clauses that limit or exclude liability than he cares to remember. He brings technical understanding to this topic, seasoned with commerciality.


Shanna Mahony, Barrister, Lachlan Macquarie Chambers
Shanna Mahony is a member of the NSW Bar practicing at Lachlan Macquarie Chambers specialising in family law and care and protection matters. Prior to coming to the Bar she was the Director of Mahony Family Lawyers, a local Parramatta firm specialising in Family Law, Care and Protection and Wills and Estates. Shanna is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and has extensive experience in both litigation practice and non litigious matters. Shanna is a passionate advocate for the protection of women and children from violence and am a regular presenter at CLE seminars and conferences on Family Law practice and in particular issues involving family violence and child abuse.


Katelin Whitley, Principal, Bestic Law
Katelin Whitley is the principal of Bestic Law located in Sydney and the Hunter Valley and practices primarily in succession, trust, and property law matters. She was admitted to practice in 2001 and was recognised by the NSW Law Society as an Accredited Wills and Estates Specialist in 2011 and as an Accredited Property Law Specialist in 2021. She works on both simple and high-level estate planning and acts on estate administrations including for large and complex estates. She has considerable experience advising and acting on contested estate litigation including lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence cases, family provision claims, construction of will litigation, and application of the Forfeiture Act. Katelin has represented estates, applicants, and beneficiaries. Katelin has completed her Master of Laws at the University of Sydney and Master of Forensic Mental Health in the UNSW School of Psychiatry. She has been lecturing in the College of Law Wills & Estates Master of Applied Law program since 2017, is a member of the Law Society NSW Property Law Committee, and was a member of the Law Society NSW Accredited Wills & Estates Specialists Committee from 2012 to 2022. Katelin is also a Notary Public and serves as a Council Member with the Society of Notaries of New South Wales Inc.


David Ash, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
David Ash is a mediator, arbitrator and barrister practising from Frederick Jordan Chambers in Sydney. Admitted as a barrister in NSW in 1998, David has maintained a broad civil practice. He has regularly advised and appeared in state and federal Courts and statutory tribunals including courts of appeal and the High Court of Australia. He is a part-time general member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. David is approved by BarADR as an arbitrator and as a mediator. David is the author of Three Sydney Judges, a history of three Sydney appointments to the High Court. He blogs at jurisprude.net . David is a consulting editor for the Federal Court Reports and writes for the NSW Civil Procedure Handbook. David has worked as a research officer with the Judicial Commission of NSW and as a legal editor with the Law Book Company. He holds a Master of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney. Contact David at d.ash@fjc.net.au or connect via his chambers.


Ian Dunwoodie, Consultant, Benchmark Lawyers
A commercial property and business lawyer since 1981, working first in large and medium sized law firms, experienced in high value private, government, business and property transactions, Ian established a boutique CBD business, property law and wealth management firm, moving to Edgecliff in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs in 1999. Dunwoodie Legal provides quality, clear and experienced legal advice to businesses, property owners, ordinary and high net worth individuals, company directors and corporations on business, property, wealth management, trusts, wills, estates and superannuation matters, and often works closely with financial planners and specialist advisers. Ian is a Notary Public (NSWSN and AANZCN), a long time board member of the Bondi and District Chamber of Commerce, a regular presenter of seminars in Sydney and overseas for Legalwise, APAC, AALC and CPE whose interests include motor racing, skiing, travel and the environment.


John Clifton, Barrister, Edmund Barton Chambers
John Clifton came to the Bar in 2004. Prior to that he worked in litigation at small and medium firms since his admission as a solicitor in 1994, including 2 years in the United Kingdom. John has worked on a wide variety of matters in his career, but in recent years his practice has consisted mainly of commercial litigation arising from contractual disputes. He also practises in Wills and Estates litigation including Family Provision claims and has a particular interest in that area.


Steven Brown, Chairman, Etienne Lawyers
Steven Brown is highly experienced lawyer with an extensive knowledge in all aspects of commercial law, with an intimate knowledge of the Corporations Law and the Australian Securities Exchange business and listing rules, being involved in corporate structuring, compliance, corporate takeovers, company floats, the preparation of prospectuses, employee share schemes and advising on directors' duties, and insolvency and securities law and practice. Steven currently lectures: in the Masters of Banking Law Course conducted by Macquarie University; in the Master of Finance for FINSIA in the areas of securities and insolvency and contract law and law, regulation and ethics; and for the Property Investors Association of Australia in security law and practice. Steven has published a number of articles on commercial subjects. He has lectured for the Australian Institute of Company Directors from 1989-2008, lectured in the Master and Doctorate courses at UTS in corporations, finance and securities law from 1989-1995, and is currently lecturing in the College of Law Masters course in commercial drafting and business structuring.


Trevor Withane, Partner, Ironbridge Legal
Trevor is a highly regarded lawyer you want on your side. He is the founder and principal of Ironbridge Legal and is a specialist commercial litigator and insolvency lawyer with deep experience in his areas of practice. Prior to founding Ironbridge Legal, Trevor was a partner of a successful Sydney based boutique law firm. Clients have described Trevor as extremely insightful, friendly, practical and pragmatic. Trevor founded Ironbridge Legal to provide in-depth specialist and conflict free advice in the disputes space – starting a law firm with true specialism in just two key areas: Commercial Litigation and Insolvency and Bankruptcy. Trevor started his legal career at global top three firm, Allen & Overy LLP, where he trained and spent several years advising a multitude of corporates and high-net-worth individuals in connection with complex disputes and regulatory matters often straddling more than one jurisdiction. Before moving to Australia from the UK for family reasons, Trevor was a barrister in London, acting for corporates and high-net-worth individuals in complex commercial litigation and insolvency matters in the High Court. This experience, coupled with Trevor’s accountancy studies and his earlier practice as an accountant, gives him a rare depth and breadth of experience to apply to his clients’ matters.


Selwyn Black, Partner, Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers
Selwyn Black is one of Australia’s most experienced commercial law partners. He has significant business acumen, enabling him to work together with clients to achieve practical solutions. Selwyn listens carefully to clients to get the best understanding of their business, industry and goals. This enables him to help clients succeed. Selwyn has particular expertise in the establishment, sale and/or purchase and restructuring of companies, trusts and businesses. He has worked in the pharmaceutical, food, media, IT, engineering and transport industries. Selwyn is also a determined advocate and strategist in any dispute including business, compliance and estate disputes. He has also provided legal advice to a range of property developers and investors and has undertaken an extensive range of projects involving hotels, shopping centres and offices. Selwyn closely understands the needs of not-for-profit organisations. He acts for 2 industry associations, and has carried out innovative restructures, managed acquisitions and other commercial complex arrangements. He also assists with fiduciary, disciplinary, compliance and outsourcing issues. Selwyn is on the board of St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, and carries out significant pro bono work for charities.


Marial Lewis, Principal Solicitor and Founder, Crossover Law Group
Marial Lewis is one of Australia's top immigration lawyers. She is an accredited specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of NSW as well as the winner of the prestigious 2021 and 2022 Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 and the 2020 John Gibson Award - Young Migration Lawyer of the year by the Law Council of Australia. In 2023 she was recognised as one of the Most Influential Leading Lawyers in Australia and listed as the only woman in the Oceania region in the Women of the Future- 50 rising stars in ESG. In 2022, Marial was listed in the Forbes list under 30 for social impact. Since 2022, she was recognized yearly by her international peers in the Who’s who Legal- Corporate Immigration Future Leaders and in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2023 and 2024- Immigration Law. Marial has also been a finalist in various national awards including, innovative of the year (individual), rising star of the year for the Australasian Law Awards and Women in Law, regional/suburban lawyer of the year and 30 under 30 since 2019. Marial is also a lecturer and unit coordinator in the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and a Teaching Fellow at UNSW for subjects such Administrative law. Marial is an international and national speaker on various matters from migration law to innovation to entrepreneurship. Marial is also a mother of two little ones whom she adores dearly, keeping her always on the go. After many years in private practice including being a partner in a specialist migration law firm, Marial founded Crossover Law Group, a Newlaw migration law firm focusing on servicing private and corporate clients migration law needs by delivering a fast, efficient and transparent excellent service whilst using innovation, technology and new ideas for better delivery. Crossover Law Group has been recognised as innovative law firm of the year finalist as well as Newlaw firm of the year finalist in various awards since its inception. Marial is a passionate lawyer who works with a wide range of clients assisting them with their immigration legal goals. She is also very experienced with complicated migration law matters such as refusals, cancellations, detention, character cases, review matters at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as well as being a litigator in migration court cases.


Brenda Tronson, Barrister, Level 22 Chambers
Brenda Tronson is an education focused Senior Lecturer and 2025 Nexus Fellow at UNSW Law and Justice and a barrister at Level 22 Chambers. As an academic, she primarily teaches ethics, and is currently leading an education research project. As a barrister, Brenda acts in matters concerning ethics, professional conduct and administrative law, advising and representing a range of clients in a variety of courts and tribunals. Before starting at the Bar in 2008, Brenda worked for Freehills in Sydney and as an associate to Justice Crennan in the High Court. She completed her undergraduate degrees at UNSW, where she won the university medal for Chemistry. She also holds a BCL (Dist) and MPhil in Law from Oxford University.


Campbell Bridge SC, 7 Wentworth Selborne Chambers
Campbell Bridge SC was admitted to the NSW Bar in July 1977 and appointed Senior Counsel in 1998. His practice has predominately involved complex commercial, product liability, public liability and professional indemnity cases both as a mediator and counsel. He has acted in major inquests and as Counsel Assisting in a Royal Commission. Campbell has acted as a mediator in several hundred major mediations in both Australia and Asia. He has spoken at numerous international conferences in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia on negotiation, culture and mediation of commercial and professional liability disputes in Australia and Asia. He has also taught on aspects of mediation, negotiation, culture and professional negligence disputes at the Dispute Resolution in Asia LLM course at Sydney University, the Indonesian Mediation Centre, and the Melbourne Law Masters Program. He is on the panel of Arbitrators of BANI (Indonesia National Board of Arbitration). He is an Accredited Mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) of Australia and is as a Mediator and Arbitrator by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. He is a guest international mediator of the Pusat Mediasi Nasional (Indonesian Mediation Centre).


Paul Evans, Partner, Makinson d’Apice Lawyers
Paul is a Partner at Makinson d'Apice and has over 20 years' experience in the area of Private Clients. He is an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates Law and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Paul is a regular speaker on Wills and Estate Law at Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Superannuation seminars providing continuing legal education for solicitors and other professionals. Paul qualified as a Solicitor in England in 1992 and in NSW in 1994 and has degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney. Paul specialises in wills and estate planning, disputes to wills, protecting assets for future generations and estate administration. Paul lived in London for 18 years and during that time specialised in inheritance tax mitigation. He also acted for charities, including Save the Children Fund and The King Edward's Hospital Fund for London. Before joining Makinson & d'Apice in 2011 Paul worked at National Australia Trustees Limited (part of Nabprivatewealth) where he was Manager Northern States, Estate Planning. Paul is highly experienced in assisting a range of clients including high net worth individuals in transferring and protecting their wealth. He has also helped many clients with a blended family to create solutions to provide for all family members. Paul has been listed in the 2021 Doyles Guide as a Leading Estates Litigation Lawyer and a Preeminent Wills Estates and Succession Planning Lawyer in New South Wales.


Sam Darwish, Principal, Civic Lawyers Australia
Sam has a diverse commercial disputes practice, specialising in property, technology and corporations disputes. He often acts for hotel owners and operators, major retail shopping centre landlords, commercial and retail tenants, property developers and property investment funds. Sam has advised on property disputes relating to leases, hotel management agreements, easements, put and call options, adverse possession, and land sale contracts. Sam has appeared and also instructed counsel in a range of Australian courts, including the Federal Court of Australia, all NSW State Courts, and also in arbitrations and mediations.


Robert O'Neill, Barrister, Lachlan Macquarie Chambers
Robert O’Neill is a practicing barrister of over 48 years and currently his Chambers are in Lachlan Macquarie Chambers at Parramatta. He has practiced over the years in most jurisdictions but in recent years has mainly practiced in the District and Supreme Courts in both Common Law and Equity. Robert is also a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant (FCPA).


Geovanna Jammo, Director, Evolve Family Lawyers
Geovanna is an Accredited Specialist in family law with 22 years experience as a solicitor, focusing on family law over the last 20 years and practicing exclusively in family law over the last 17 years and she is collaboratively trained. Along the way she has acquired not just family law experience but also commercial, trusts & property legal experience giving her an understanding of complex property, financial & commercial structures, as well as a degree in psychology giving particular insights in handling high conflict disputes (including complex parenting matters).She is highly capable and known for her practical, pragmatic, compassionate, and no-nonsense approach to resolving legal issues.