Presenters

Adrian Lawrence, Partner, Baker McKenzie
Adrian Lawrence is the Co-Head of Baker McKenzie's Global FinTech Initiative and also leads Baker McKenzie's Technology Media and Telecommunications Group in the APAC region. Adrian regularly advises clients across the sector, from established technology companies, to financial services institutions and early stage disruptors. He advises on a range of issues relevant to the FinTech space, including on privacy and data utilisation, regulatory compliance, commercial partnerships and product creation and distribution. Adrian also regularly assists large international clients with their requirements for entry into a range of APAC markets. He is a regular speaker on technology, privacy and digital media issues including as a lecturer in the postgraduate program at the University of New South Wales.

François FF Salama, Barrister, 13th Floor St James Hall
François F.F. Salama was called to the NSW Bar in 2006 and is both a Barrister and Nationally Accredited Mediator, accepting briefs and appointments across all Australian jurisdictions (trial and appellate). He conducts a general commercial and equity practice, with expertise in succession, trusts, real property, building and construction and corporations law. François is a national Board Member for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Australia and Deputy Chair of the NSW Chapter. He is also a member of the NSW Bar Committees for Succession & Protective Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution. François is consistently recognised by his peers in legal directories such as Doyle's Guide(Estate Litigation) and The Legal 500 (Commercial Litigation) as a leading Barrister. In 2026, François was awarded the Coptic Orthodox ‘Nayrouz Medal of Hope’ from the NSW Premier and Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions, for Professional Excellence and Leadership.

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.

Caitlin Whale, Partner, Baker McKenzie
Caitlin Whale is a Partner in the IPTech team at Baker McKenzie. She advises on technology, data issues, cybersecurity, privacy, procurement and telecommunications issues. Her practice focusses on complex commercial transactions, particularly those which involve technology, data or cybersecurity issues. Caitlin has practised as a technology and intellectual property lawyer in both Sydney and London for over 17 years.

Wai Kaey Soon, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Wai Kaey was admitted as a solicitor in 2010 and called to the Bar in 2014. His practice encompasses advising and appearing in contract and commercial disputes, insolvency and bankruptcy, complex corporations litigation and insurance law disputes. Wai Kaey has represented individuals, banks, insurance companies and multi-national corporations in a broad range of jurisdictions across Australia, including in New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria. Prior to being called to the Bar, Wai Kaey gained experience at several large law firms and governmental statutory bodies, including Clayton Utz, Baker & McKenzie and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.