Presenters

Sydney Jacobs, Barrister, 13 Wentworth Chambers
Sydney Jacobs is a barrister at 13 Wentworth Chambers and an accredited mediator, with additional credentials as a BarADR-accredited arbitrator and expert determiner. An LL.M graduate from Cambridge, Sydney’s commercial equity practice spans property, partnership, corporate law, building and construction, and strata disputes. He brings particular expertise in easement and covenant disputes, including matters involving both Torrens and Old System land. Sydney also has extensive experience in leasing disputes, off-the-plan contracts, rescission, termination, specific performance, relief against forfeiture, and the recovery of deposits. Sydney advises on restraint of trade matters, as well as disputes involving options, rights of first refusal, and notices to perform or complete. Beyond his practice, Sydney is the sole author of two leading publications—Commercial Damages and Injunctions: Law and Practice—and was a key contributor to Commercial & International Arbitration (Thomson Reuters). Outside of work, Sydney enjoys time with family, competing in tennis, snowboarding, and exploring the arts.


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.