Get across key student visa reforms and the ESOS Bill 2024, alongside recent legislative changes targeting visa integrity, employer compliance, and foreign property rules. Stay informed on what these developments mean for your clients and your immigration practice.

Presenters

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.


Ndi Ruppert, Principal & Founder, Ruppert Legal
Ndi Ruppert obtained her Bachelor of Business and Law with a Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Newcastle in 2010 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor in 2011. In 2017, Ndi obtained her Master of Laws from the University of Newcastle, majoring in Human Rights and International Business; her master thesis was published in the African Journal of International and Comparative Law. Ndi is the Principal Solicitor & Founder of the law practice, Ruppert Legal and was formerly a solicitor with Hicksons Lawyers. She also currently uses her immigration expertise to assist refugee clients one day a week through Mosaic Multicultural Connections. Ndi has significant experience with the Australian Migration system, both personally and professionally and was honoured by being listed on the 2021 and 2022 Doyles Guide list of leading New South Wales Immigration Lawyers. She is also the Vice Chair on the Board of the Hunter Community Legal Centre and is part of the executive leadership team of the Centre for African Research, Engagement & Partnerships at the University of Newcastle.


Wajiha Ahmed, Partner and Mediator, Buttar, Caldwell & Co
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Wajiha came to Australia with her family at age five. As a third generation lawyer, Wajiha is committed to the plight of social justice and rights of women in Australia and ensuring access to justice. She joined Buttar, Caldwell & Co. Solicitors in March 2001. She is a NMAS mediator and sits on a number of panels. Her main practice areas are civil litigation, family law, employment and immigration. In 2006, Wajiha was appointed as a part time Commissioner with the Community Relations Commission of NSW for six years. She served on the NSW Police Multicultural Advisory Council for a number of years. Since 2012 she has been a member of the Human Rights committee of the Law Society of NSW. She has served as an Officer for the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association since 2018. Wajiha has taught “Business, Law and Ethics” and “Contemporary Business Law” at University of Technology, Sydney from 2005 until 2019 and other private Colleges in Sydney. Wajiha has written opinion pieces in the Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald and the Guardian with respect to her views on various human rights issues over the years.


Alex Kaufman, Senior Solicitor – General Counsel, Playfair Legal
Alex Kaufman is a qualified Solicitor (formerly also a Registered Migration Agent with the registration number #0601370 under the previous regulatory scheme). With over two decades of experience, he specialises in business, investment, and employment-related migration, along with providing associated legal services. Alex's extensive migration experience encompasses: - Advising and representing clients from the public sector, corporations, and individuals to achieve the best employment-related outcomes through Australia's Temporary Business Entry program. - Assisting corporate clients and entrepreneurs in facilitating trade and investment activities through Australia's Business Skills program. - Advising and representing individuals in obtaining Permanent Residence and Australian Citizenship. - Representing private clients before Tribunals and Courts in visa decision review proceedings. - Advising and acting for employers of overseas workers in relation to employment law and Departmental monitoring and auditing processes. - Assisting clients with ancillary and post-settlement legal services, including Customs and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service requirements, Foreign Investment Review Board applications, business or real property purchases, commercial premises leasing, and referrals to integrated taxation and accounting services. Alex's client base includes mining interests, health and aged care service providers, financial institutions, recruitment businesses, education providers, and high net worth individuals. Qualifications / Certifications and experience: - Barrister and solicitor in NSW since 2006 - Accredited Educator – Migration Institute of Australia - Former VP of the Migration Institute of Australia NSW/ ACT Branch – 2 years, and Committee Member for over 10 years - Doyles Guide – Leading Immigration Lawyers in NSW (2021/2022/2023) - Contributor to senate committee and departmental immigration enquiries since 2013 - Immigration legal commentator in numerous free to air, subscription, and online resources over the preceding decade - Conversational in Mandarin Chinese.