Join us for a full-day deep dive into the evolving landscape of evidence and advocacy. This essential conference is designed for litigators seeking to refine their courtroom skills, stay ahead of technological shifts, and master the nuances of presenting and challenging evidence. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or building your litigation toolkit, this conference offers invaluable insights and practical tips.

Presenters

Michael Williams, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin
Michael Williams is the head of Gilbert + Tobin's Intellectual Property team. Michael is ranked in band 1 for Trade Mark and Copyright in Chambers Asia Pacific 2017 (describing him as "formidable, extremely professional and incredibly bright.") He is a well-known practitioner with a passion for copyright. Over the last 2 decades he has acted for a diverse range of organisations affected by copyright, including recording companies, film studios, television broadcasters, software vendors and technology companies. Career highlights include: Cooper v Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd (2005) (right of communication); Universal Music v Sharman Networks (2005) (the "Kazaa" P2P case); IceTV v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (2009) (originality); Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Limited (2012) (authorisation); Perez v Fernandez (2012) (moral rights). Michael is currently the Vice President of the Copyright Society of Australia. He holds degrees in Economics and Law (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Tomislav Bicanic, Barrister, Trust Chambers

Irina Hoskinson, Barrister, Latham Chambers
Irina commenced private practice in 2011. Irina was called to the Bar in 2016 and takes briefs to appear in Supreme Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court and other courts and tribunals. She appeared in family provision, probate, bankruptcy, corporate insolvency, general equity and family law matters. In 2020 Irina took a break from the Bar for 14 months and held a position as Probate Registrar in the Supreme Court of NSW. In that role she was making decisions in relation to complex probate and administration matters; she also sat as a Common Law and Equity Registrar and presided over corporations’ examinations. Upon her return to the Bar, Irina currently practices mainly in probate and family provision matters. Irina is a costs assessor and an associate lecturer at College of Law.

Vera Culkoff, Barrister, 2 Selborne Chambers
Vera Culkoff graduated in law from the University of Technology, Sydney in early 1990 with First Class Honours and the University Medal. Her practice is in commercial law and equity, with an emphasis in building and construction disputes. Such proceedings have commonly involved complex contractual disputes, misleading and deceptive allegations and the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW). She also practices in the area of wills, probate and family provisions disputes, involving complex issues and large estates. She has experience in class actions, having been involved in commercial class actions against Westpac, ANZ, AMP and GIO. Vera has been involved in litigation on both sides of the fence: having worked at Clayton Utz doing defence work before joining Cashman & Partners and becoming an equity partner (now Maurice Blackburn). She remained a partner of the new firm until 2000, responsible for commercial and product liability litigation. She was called to the Bar in 2000. Vera was joint General Editor of the Australian Product Liability Reporter (from 2006 to 2011) and has conducted presentations at seminars on class actions and, whilst at the Bar, in building and construction law.

Alexander Vial, Barrister, 5 Wentworth Chambers
Alexander maintains a national practice in complex commercial and regulatory matters. He is recognised as a Leading Junior (Band 1) for competition law and as a “Rising Star” in regulatory matters in the Legal500 rankings. Alexander specialises in commercial and regulatory litigation that covers all areas of competition and consumer law, trade practices including franchising, class actions, insolvency, intellectual property, and employment law. Alexander regularly advises on and appears in regulatory investigations and enforcement matters, as well as in Royal Commissions and inquiries. Before being called to the Bar, Alexander was a Senior Associate at Clayton Utz in Sydney where he specialised in competition, consumer law, and regulatory investigations and litigation. Earlier in his career, Alexander served as the Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Doyle AC of the Supreme Court of South Australia and, after his Honour’s retirement, the Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Kourakis. Alexander’s education includes a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide. Alexander is a founding author of Zuckerman on Australian Civil Procedure, a leading text on Australian civil procedure that is now in its second edition. He regularly publishes articles in a number of practitioner and academic journals.

Joel Brook, Barrister, 5 Wentworth Chambers
Joel Brook is a skilled and experienced advocate. He has conducted hundreds of contested matters, including appeals, applications and trials. He has appeared both led and unled in appellate proceedings, including proceedings before the Court of Criminal Appeal, and he regularly appears in the Local, District, Federal and Supreme Courts. Joel has a diverse practice and accepts briefs in all areas of law, with a particular focus on industrial and employment law, discrimination, public law, inquests and inquiries, commercial disputes, defamation and all aspects of criminal law, including white collar crime. Joel regularly appears for both applicants and respondents in the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Circuit and Family Court and the Federal Court on general protections, unfair dismissal applications, and penalty provision matters under all relevant legislation, including the Fair Work Act 2009. Joel also accepts briefs in restraint and injunction matters before the Supreme and Federal Courts. Joel is regularly instructed by Government Agencies including the Health Care Complaints Commission and the Crown Solicitor, including in relation to disciplinary proceedings involving professional misconduct. Prior to being called to the bar, Joel was a prosecutor at the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where he conducted complex criminal prosecutions, including for fraud and misconduct in public office. He is an experienced jury advocate regularly appearing for both accused persons and the Crown in all jurisdictions. Having previously advised on the viability of potential prosecutions arising out inquiries (including ICAC inquiries and inquests), he is well placed to guide persons of interest with sound, practical advice.

Fabian Di Lizia, Barrister, 5 Wentworth Chambers
Fabian accepts briefs in a wide range of areas of law. He has a particular experience and interest in all areas of commercial law (including corporations, real property, insolvency, trade practices and private international law), equity and public law (including judicial review and administrative law). Prior to being called to the bar, Fabian was the Associate to the Honourable Justice Farrell of the Federal Court of Australia. He later worked in the litigation practice groups of Gilbert + Tobin and Arnold Bloch Leibler and as a secondee to the Dispute Resolution Group of the ANZ Bank. His work spanned matters in commercial litigation, judicial review, white collar crime, regulatory investigations and commissions of inquiry. Fabian has a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge (with Honours) as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) and a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) from the University of Sydney. He achieved numerous academic prizes and scholarships during his studies. His work has been published in leading publications including the Australian Law Journal and the University of Western Australia Law Review.