Presenters

Bettina Mangan SC, Francis Burt Chambers
Bettina’s practice covers insurance, contract, general and professional negligence, professional disciplinary matters, occupational health and safety prosecutions and coronial inquiries, workers’ compensation and assessment of damages including in catastrophic personal injury and fatal accidents claims. Bettina provides legal opinions, including for insurers and, in support of applications for leave to compromise claims of persons under disability. She acts as counsel at trial and appeal hearings, as well as pre-trial conferences and mediations. Bettina provides strategic and liability advice on historic child abuse matters. Bettina has appeared as counsel in a variety of jurisdictions including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Coroner’s Court of Western Australia, District Court of Western Australia, High Court of Australia, State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, and Supreme Court of Western Australia. Bettina completed the ACDC Mediators Course and accepts briefs as a mediator. She has acted as an independent arbiter on a private dispute. Bettina regularly presents papers for continuing legal education. Bettina is a member of WA Bar Chambers Limited Board of Directors (Francis Burt Chambers).


Sunila Peterson, Owner, Managing Director and Senior Psychologist at Synergos Counselling and Consulting
For over 30 years, Sunila has worked across the public and private sectors. She has worked as a: researcher, contributing to local, national, and international publications in areas of population statistics, mental health, and disability; team leader and consultant managing corporate teams and core functions in a law enforcement agency and the CPD needs of lawyers in a criminal justice agency; and tutoring and teaching research methods and professional practice to allied health and medical students at university. She was, for the last 8 years, working as a subcontractor Senior Psychologist and Director in private practice, and recently started her own private practice - Synergos Counselling and Consulting. Sunila’s primary area of work is with clients who have experienced trauma associated with domestic violence, motor vehicle accidents, and/or workplace bullying, harassment, accidents and/or violence and related psychological injuries. In clinical practice, Sunila mentors’ mental health practitioners to engage best practice adhering strongly to the principles of the scientist-practitioner approach to provide effective mental health services aligned to legal, ethical, and professional practice standards within the profession and general community. Lastly and importantly, Sunila engages in social, recreational, leisure and relaxation activities to sustain a balanced, satisfying, and quality life in the presence of the disabilities she lives and to embrace the strong and loving connections she has with family, friends, and partner.

Presenters

Bettina Mangan SC, Francis Burt Chambers
Bettina’s practice covers insurance, contract, general and professional negligence, professional disciplinary matters, occupational health and safety prosecutions and coronial inquiries, workers’ compensation and assessment of damages including in catastrophic personal injury and fatal accidents claims. Bettina provides legal opinions, including for insurers and, in support of applications for leave to compromise claims of persons under disability. She acts as counsel at trial and appeal hearings, as well as pre-trial conferences and mediations. Bettina provides strategic and liability advice on historic child abuse matters. Bettina has appeared as counsel in a variety of jurisdictions including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Coroner’s Court of Western Australia, District Court of Western Australia, High Court of Australia, State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, and Supreme Court of Western Australia. Bettina completed the ACDC Mediators Course and accepts briefs as a mediator. She has acted as an independent arbiter on a private dispute. Bettina regularly presents papers for continuing legal education. Bettina is a member of WA Bar Chambers Limited Board of Directors (Francis Burt Chambers).


Sunila Peterson, Owner, Managing Director and Senior Psychologist at Synergos Counselling and Consulting
For over 30 years, Sunila has worked across the public and private sectors. She has worked as a: researcher, contributing to local, national, and international publications in areas of population statistics, mental health, and disability; team leader and consultant managing corporate teams and core functions in a law enforcement agency and the CPD needs of lawyers in a criminal justice agency; and tutoring and teaching research methods and professional practice to allied health and medical students at university. She was, for the last 8 years, working as a subcontractor Senior Psychologist and Director in private practice, and recently started her own private practice - Synergos Counselling and Consulting. Sunila’s primary area of work is with clients who have experienced trauma associated with domestic violence, motor vehicle accidents, and/or workplace bullying, harassment, accidents and/or violence and related psychological injuries. In clinical practice, Sunila mentors’ mental health practitioners to engage best practice adhering strongly to the principles of the scientist-practitioner approach to provide effective mental health services aligned to legal, ethical, and professional practice standards within the profession and general community. Lastly and importantly, Sunila engages in social, recreational, leisure and relaxation activities to sustain a balanced, satisfying, and quality life in the presence of the disabilities she lives and to embrace the strong and loving connections she has with family, friends, and partner.