Presenters

Stephen Wright SC, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Stephen Wright is an experienced barrister who specialises in native title, taxation, trusts and mining law. Stephen joined the Western Australian Bar in 2010 and was appointed senior counsel in 2017. Prior to joining the Bar he was a Judge’s associate, a commercial litigator at Malleson, worked for 11 years at the Western Australian State Solicitor’s Office, and had his own private practice. Stephen has a wealth of experience in native title related issues dating back to 1996. He is a leading native title barrister, having been counsel in many native title claims and in ‘future act’ litigation and arbitrations at all levels, and more recently in compensation claims. He represents native title parties and representative bodies, government and mining interests. He is also an experienced and effective negotiator having provided advice and representation to various parties involved in numerous ILUA and other native title agreement negotiations, including in relation to the establishment of benefits management (trust) structures and taxation issues. Stephen also provides stamp duty and other tax advice (including income tax and GST) and appears in tax cases in the Court of Appeal (WA), Federal Court, and State and Commonwealth Tribunals.


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