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Mastering Business Sales Symposium

Acting on a business sale demands expertise across multiple areas of law to effectively manage the myriad risks in today’s highly regulated corporate environment. The reality? No one can be an expert in everything—until now. Join an in-depth exploration of practical strategies and critical insights shaping modern transactions. Learn from leading experts as you understand how sustainability requirements are influencing transactions and how to take ESG into account in your transactions, navigate workforce transitions and Fair Work Act provisions, identify the data and privacy compliance pitfalls and master taxation strategies. Gain the business valuation skills, examine the common traps in business sale valuations plus gain your practice management and ethics points keeping you compliant. All in a day!

Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Session 2: Ethics, Practice Management & Professional Skills in Business Law

Chair: Amanda Comelli, Partner, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers

Ethics & Professional Responsibility
2.00pm to 3.00pm A Practical Guide to Ethical Challenges in Business Sales

 

  • Legal duties and ethical obligations in commercial sales with various stakeholders
  • The duty of disclosure and conduct in disclosure
  • The duty to correct, mistakes whether common, mutual, or unilateral,
  • Conflicts of interest and what these mean in a transactional sales environment
  • An analysis of recent key decisions
  • Case studies and ethical dos and don’ts for lawyers negotiating business contracts

Presented by Andrew Pavuk, Executive Principal, Pavuk Legal

Practice Management & Business Skills
3.00pm to 4.00pm AML/CTF Compliance in Business Sales

 

Compliance with AML/CTF reforms are due to apply for lawyers on 1 July 2026. These reforms will significantly impact your pratice, giving them less than 6 months to prepare for the changes. How can you get ready for compliance and what are the considerations for your practice?

  • Delve deep into what legal professional practices need to consider in the development of AML/CTF policies and procedures, highlighting key considerations and effective implementation practices

Presented by Katherine Shamai, Partner, Grant Thornton

10.00am to 11.00am Employment Law and Business Sales

 

  • Understanding the significance of employment factors in business sales
  • Navigating workforce transition: provisions within the Fair Work Act (FWA)
  • Due diligence must-dos
  • Nuances of adjustments

Presented by Michael Byrnes, Partner, Swaab

11.00am to 11.15am Morning Break
11.15am to 12.15pm Cyber Security and Technology (Including Generative AI) Issues in Business Transactions

 

  • How are privacy, data and cybersecurity risks legally governed?
  • What are some privacy, data and cybersecurity legal risks that seasoned technology and cyber lawyers look out for when providing legal assistance?
  • Once the sale has concluded, what are the compliance regimes that need to set-up to comply with the privacy, data and cybersecurity laws?

Presented by Dalvin Chien, Partner, and Malcolm Liu, Senior Associate, Mills Oakley

4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Break
9.00am to 10.00am ESG Requirements for Business Sales

 

  • Learn how to integrate ESG considerations into your client's business transactions and the significance this holds for your deals.

Presented by Alison Choy Flannigan, Partner, Hall & Wilcox; Best Lawyers 2008-2024, Biotechnology Law, Health Law, Preeminent Health Lawyer, Doyle's Guide 2024

12.15pm to 1.15pm Taxation Issues in Business Sales

 

Take a deep dive into the key tax considerations in relation to medium to large business sales, including:

  • Asset vs share sales
  • Pre-sale restructures
  • CGT roll-overs
  • Deferred and contingent consideration
  • Key tax clauses in sale contracts

Presented by George Bassil, Senior Associate, Arnold Bloch Leibler

Description

Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
4 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories 

Session 1: Strategies for Inter-disciplinary Legal Issues in Business Sales

Chair: Mayank Gupta, Director, Cowell Clarke

Professional Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Understanding Business Sale Valuations

 

  • When valuations are required
  • The difference between price and value
  • Valuation approaches and methods
  • Discounts and premiums
  • What are value drivers?
  • What about synergies?
  • Common traps and pit falls

Presented by Fiona Hansen, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Presenters

Malcolm Liu, Senior Associate, Mills Oakley 
Malcolm specialises in advising on technology transaction deals and privacy, AI and cyber security compliance, including in the digital consumer and business to business industries. He has extensive experience advising technology clients on the application of the Australian Consumer Law, and advising on the intersection between consumer protections, privacy obligations, data and cyber security laws. Malcolm comes from a litigious background, which is woven into his contract drafting and negotiation techniques so as to provide contractual advice from both a front-end technical and back-end litigation perspective.


Amanda Comelli, Partner, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Amanda Comelli is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Business Law and currently sits on the Law Society's Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee for Business Law. With more than 15 years' experience as a business lawyer, Amanda provides commercial and corporate law, tax law and estate planning advice to businesses and business owners. Amanda likes to keep her practice broad, to provide her clients with well-rounded and practical legal advice. Amanda has acted for a range of clients including both private and public companies, accountants, financial planners, retailers, business owners, manufacturers, individuals (including high net worth individuals) and not-for-profit organisations. She is also a founder of the Women in Tax Discussion Group, which is hosted monthly by Brown Wright Stein, as a forum for female tax professionals to meet and discuss recent key changes in tax law in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Alison Choy Flannigan, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
With over 25 years of corporate, commercial and regulatory experience, Alison has specialised in advising clients in the health, aged care, retirement living, disability, life sciences and community sectors. Alison co-leads the Health & Care Practice at National Law firm, Hall & Wilcox. Alison has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia (and the Australian Financial Review) since 2008 for Health & Aged Care and also Retirement Living and Biotechnology. She has been recognised in the Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as a Leading Health and Aged Care Lawyer each and every year since 2017 and Chambers for Life sciences. Alison has been a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year in Health every year since 2016 and won this prestigious award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly, Women in Law Awards, Partner of the Year - Big Law, 2019 and 2021.

Mayank Gupta, Director, Cowell Clarke
Mayank brings a wealth of expertise, with over 20 years’ of international experience in corporate finance, distressed lending, restructuring, leveraged finance, asset finance, real estate finance and project finance. He has acted for large financial institutions and corporates spanning jurisdictions including Australia, United Kingdom, United States, South and South East Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Over the last few years, Mayank has worked closely with alternative capital investors, providing strategic advice to debt funds providing financing in distressed situations, purchasers of non-performing loans and funds providing equity capital in large scale project financings. Mayank has spent significant time in the UK and Asia working on some of the largest transactions in the world, including the largest bond issuance in Bangladesh and the largest non-performing loan acquisition in Eastern Europe at the time. He has also had experience being inhouse counsel at a large investment bank in London and as General Counsel for one of Australia’s premier asset finance companies.

Andrew Pavuk, Executive Principal, Pavuk Legal
Andrew Pavuk is the Executive Principal of Pavuk Legal. Andrew specialises in Corporate and Financial Services Law including Business and Practice Succession, as well as Financial Services including Superannuation, Funds Management and Financial Products for over 20 years. Andrew has acted for a range of corporate clients includes SMES's family businesses and professional practices in respect to Business and Practice Succession. In respect to Financial Services, Andrew has acted on many large transactions on such diverse matters such as the drafting of the Life and Superannuation Acts on behalf of the World Bank for the Government of PNG, ING Business Life Insurance Product and the AMP Estate Planning Project. Andrew regularly presents to clients and industry associations on topical issues relating to Financial Products and Distribution, Tax and Revenue. Andrew's clients include private clients, small and large businesses, financial intermediaries, accountants, superannuation trustees and financial institutions. Andrew has also written the book Nobody Else's Business outlining strategies used by successful Business Owners to keep, sell or close their businesses for a profit.

Fiona Hansen, Senior Managing Director. FTI Consulting
Fiona is a Senior Managing Director and leads FTI Consulting’s Valuation Advisory practice in Australia. She has over 28 years' experience in corporate finance and business valuations having held senior roles in the Big 4 accounting firms working in Australia, Europe and South Africa. Fiona specialises in valuations of businesses, intangible assets, equity and debt instruments, executive options, impairment testing and independent experts reports. She has prepared numerous valuation reports for a range of purposes, including mergers and acquisitions, accounting, taxation, stamp duty, Corporations Act and ASX requirements. Fiona’s valuation reports comply with the relevant standards or professional requirements. They are succinct, easy to read and give clients confidence in the final outcome. Fiona has also undertaken numerous corporate finance assignments involving mergers and acquisitions, divestments and financial due diligence.

Michael Byrnes, Partner, Swaab
Michael Byrnes is a partner of Swaab. He is a workplace relations lawyer with over 20 years' experience in assisting clients navigate employment and work health and safety issues. Michael runs specially tailored training programs and seminars for clients (including at board level). He also drafts and reviews workplace policies and undertakes complex and sensitive workplace investigations. As well as regularly presenting at conferences, Michael is often called upon for expert opinion in the media. He has appeared on numerous radio segments and regularly quoted in publications including The Australian Financial Review, The Age, Lawyers Weekly, Workplace Express, OHS Alert, SmartCompany, HRM Online and InTheBlack on workplace relations and WHS law issues. Michael is also a co-author of the LexisNexis publication "Annotated Fair Work Act & Related Legislation".


Dalvin Chien, Partner, Mills Oakley
He has deep expertise in technology contracting, privacy, cybersecurity, security of critical infrastructure, data sharing, e-commerce and Artificial Intelligence. He has led deal teams for significant technology transactions and advised on novel and complex cybersecurity and technology issues for a broad range of clients. Teams Dalvin leads has ranked in Legal 500 for Technology. Dalvin was a finalist for Cybersecurity Partner of the Year in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and for Technology Law Partner of the Year in 2022, 2023, 2024  and 2025 at the LawyersWeekly Partner Awards. He was a finalist for Partner of the Year at the LawyersWeekly Law Awards in 2024 and 2025 Dalvin is a member of the NSW Law Society Data and Privacy Law Committee. Dalvin previously taught Information Technology Law, Commercial Drafting, Commercial Law, and Negotiation at a tertiary level. He is frequently called upon to provide workshops and thought leadership pieces on procurement, technology transformation, cybersecurity, innovation, data sharing, and Artificial Intelligence.


George Bassil, Senior Associate, Arnold Bloch Leibler
George advises on a broad range of taxation matters such as tax structuring, transactions and advisory. George has acted for many of Australia's leading private groups, large corporate entities, private equity and large family groups. Prior to joining the firm in 2021, George was a Manager in KPMG’s Corporate Tax Advisory practice and was admitted in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting, a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University and is currently undertaking his Master of Laws at Sydney University.

Katherine Shamai, Partner, Grant Thornton
Katherine is a governance, compliance, internal audit and risk management expert with over 17 years' experience supporting federal, state and local government agencies, not-for-profits, ASX-listed and private companies. She specialises in governance reviews, risk assessments, internal control reviews, and drafting policies and procedures. Her expertise spans Board maturity assessments, governance structures, succession planning, internal audit programs, compliance reviews against legislation and agreements, enterprise and project risk assessments, and anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) services from advisory to independent reviews. Katherine has led AML/CTF risk assessments for government agencies, designed compliance programs for the National Disability Insurance Agency, developed internal audit programs for public and not-for-profit entities, and conducted Board governance reviews for major national organisations. She’s also managed reviews of third-party suppliers for multinationals and led analyses of legislative misapplications at public sector agencies. Katherine’s blend of industry and professional services experience ensures her recommendations are both pragmatic and effective.




This seminar is part of a series

Ethics, Professional Skills & Practice Management for Commercial Lawyers (11 March 2026)

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

Practice Management & Business Skills
3.00pm to 4.00pm AML/CTF Compliance in Business Sales

 

Compliance with AML/CTF reforms are due to apply for lawyers on 1 July 2026. These reforms will significantly impact your pratice, giving them less than 6 months to prepare for the changes. How can you get ready for compliance and what are the considerations for your practice?

  • Delve deep into what legal professional practices need to consider in the development of AML/CTF policies and procedures, highlighting key considerations and effective implementation practices

Presented by Katherine Shamai, Partner, Grant Thornton

4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Break
Professional Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Understanding Business Sale Valuations

 

  • When valuations are required
  • The difference between price and value
  • Valuation approaches and methods
  • Discounts and premiums
  • What are value drivers?
  • What about synergies?
  • Common traps and pit falls

Presented by Fiona Hansen, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Ethics & Professional Responsibility
2.00pm to 3.00pm A Practical Guide to Ethical Challenges in Business Sales

 

  • Legal duties and ethical obligations in commercial sales with various stakeholders
  • The duty of disclosure and conduct in disclosure
  • The duty to correct, mistakes whether common, mutual, or unilateral,
  • Conflicts of interest and what these mean in a transactional sales environment
  • An analysis of recent key decisions
  • Case studies and ethical dos and don’ts for lawyers negotiating business contracts

Presented by Andrew Pavuk, Executive Principal, Pavuk Legal

Chair

Amanda Comelli, Partner, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers

Description

Attend and earn 3 CPD units including:
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

 

View series listing

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Mastering Business Sales Symposium

CHOOSE YOUR SESSION AND
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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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All Sessions
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
9.00am to 5.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 7
$795.00
Online 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
On Demand 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
[{date=11/03/26, zoom_event_id=dTBNfaNqRnuVop7C4r6zfA, seminar_description_for_website=

Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Morning Session
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
9.00am to 1.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 4
$505.00
Online 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
On Demand 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
[{date=11/03/26, zoom_event_id=dTBNfaNqRnuVop7C4r6zfA, seminar_description_for_website=

Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Afternoon Session
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
2.00pm to 5.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 3
$420.00
Online 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
On Demand 20260518 20260311

Interactive On Demand

Register
Register
Claim uncapped CPD units from this interactive program.

*Check your rules on interactive recordings.
[{date=11/03/26, zoom_event_id=dTBNfaNqRnuVop7C4r6zfA, seminar_description_for_website=

Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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Join leading commercial practitioners for a focused core units program addressing the legal, ethical and compliance pressures shaping business sales in 2026. Examine the ethical duties that arise in commercial transactions, including disclosure, mistakes, conflicts of interest and professional conduct, supported by recent case law and practical scenarios. Prepare for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms applying to lawyers from 1 July 2026, with clear guidance on developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. Build stronger commercial capability with a practical session on business sale valuations, including valuation methods, value drivers, synergies, and common pitfalls that can derail a deal.

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