Between new AML/CTF obligations, tighter foreign investment rules, and legislative changes, even the simplest transaction now carries risk. From option agreements and s 88B instruments to foreign investment compliance, commercial property sales, complex tax, and GST structures, there’s pressure at every stage. Add disputes, electronic certifications, and new verification and cyber requirements, and it’s easy to see why practices are stretched. This always sold-out symposium brings together NSW’s leading experts to make sense of the reforms, disputes, tax traps, AI and AML scrutiny reshaping daily work, and to give you the practical tools and confidence to manage every transaction in 2026.

Presenters

Shanna Kruger, Partner, Mills Oakley
Shanna has over 20 years’ experience which spans all stages of the development lifecycle, from acquisition to development sales across all development types, including residential, community, strata, industrial, mixed use, land lease subdivisions and master planned developments. She advises a range of property owners and developers in relation to the preparation and negotiation of acquisition contracts, project structuring, sales contracts, land lease documents, title structuring and off-the-plan conveyancing. Her clients value her commercial advice and strategic thinking.

Caroline Marshall, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Caroline specialises in investigations and inquiries, with a particular focus on corporate or financial crime matters. She acts for corporations facing allegations of bribery and corruption, money laundering, sanctions violations and integrity issues, and has represented clients facing regulatory enforcement by AUSTRAC, ASIC and APRA. Her practice covers the full regulatory lifecycle, from regulatory advice to strategy, compliance, enforcement and remediation. She is also an expert in ESG. Caroline works with domestic and international clients across a variety of industries, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, technology, media and telecommunications, energy and natural resources. She is a dual-qualified lawyer in Australia and England & Wales, and has previously worked in London and Hong Kong. Caroline is a company secretary and director on the board of the Australian Compliance Institute.

Marcus Clark, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Marcus Clark is a partner of Johnson Winter Slattery, based in Canberra. He has previously practised law in Bangkok, Gold Coast, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore and Sydney. Marcus is an author of Foreign Investment in Australia, published by Thomson Reuters, and serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Investment Committee of the Law Council of Australia

Matthew Mckee, Partner, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Matthew McKee is an experienced tax and trusts lawyer who provides tax and commercial related advice to accountants, financial planners, SMEs and private clients. Matthew advises on income tax, capital gains tax, fringe benefits tax, GST, stamp duties, payroll tax and superannuation law. Matthew has a particular expertise on the tax issues associated with trusts. Matthew regularly provides advice on the structuring of businesses and family wealth through discretionary trusts and unit trusts.

Gary Newton, Partner, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Gary Newton is a partner in the Property and Development Group of HWL Ebsworth Lawyers. He has been practising in the area of property law since 1983, providing advice on a wide range of matters to business, government and individuals. Gary has been an Accredited Specialist in Property Law since 1994. Gary is a long standing member of the Property Law Committee of the Law Society of NSW. Gary is the co-author of "Land Acquisition" 7th edition by Gary Newton and Christopher Conolly and "Real Property Law Case Summaries" Newton’s 4th edition and the sole author and editor of the LexisNexis Butterworths NSW Conveyancing Service (loose-leaf). He is also sole author and editor of the book ‘Annotated Conveyancing & Real Property Legislation in NSW’ 2024-2025. Gary has been listed again in the 2024 and 2025 edition of Best Lawyers and Doyles Guide for Leasing Law and for Real Property Law.

Caitlin Bowman, Partner, Turnbull Hill Lawyers
Caitlin is a Partner in the Business and Property team. Caitlin supports her clients with legal and commercial matters by adopting a problem-solving approach which focuses on the best possible outcomes for the client, including providing commercial analysis, and the fostering of productive ongoing client relationships with relevant parties. Her expertise for simple advice in complex situations revolves around agreements for corporate governance and structuring, management and exit strategies for businesses and companies, and advice on all types of commercial and corporate transactions. Caitlin has extensive experience advising clients across all of these areas.

Robert Schneider, Consultant, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Robert has extensive experience acting and advising in commercial disputes and has specialised in retail and commercial lease disputes and other property related litigation. Robert has assisted a broad range of clients in the property industry, including owners of shopping centres, owners of other retail properties, owners of commercial properties, large retail and commercial tenants and property developers and investors. Robert regularly chairs and has previously presented at external seminars on commercial and retail leases and other property related seminars. Robert has been listed in Best LawyersTM Australia for Alternative Dispute Resolution in the 2020 and 2021 editions as well as the 2022 and 2023 editions.

Judy Bliss, Principal Licensed Conveyancer, Bliss Conveyancing
Judy Bliss has been in the industry since 1984. She started Bliss Conveyancing when she saw the need for a conveyancing service that spoke plain English, not legal jargon. Her mission is to help people buy property with peace of mind for the future. Her professional experience is extensive, beginning in 1984 as Personal Assistant to the Chief Magistrate of NSW, then clerking at the Nowra Local Court and the Milton Local Court. She has been a Coroner, Registrar and Marriage Celebrant. Over 10 years ago, she earned her conveyancing license and entered legal private practice so that she could use her extensive legal experience to help people buy property. Judy is a current NSW State Representative in the Pexa Advisory Board.

Brendan Maier, Partner, Colin Biggers & Paisley
Brendan Maier is a partner in the property team of Colin Biggers & Paisley. Brendan provides high quality legal advice on major commercial, industrial, residential, tourism and agricultural projects throughout Australia. He is a leading property lawyer who enjoys applying his industry knowledge and networks to drive commercial value for his clients. He has been: listed as a recommended lawyer in real estate by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2016; listed as a recommended property and real estate lawyer in Sydney in Doyle's Guide 2016; elected as a councillor of the Urban Development Industry of Australia (NSW); elected as a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

Anthony Autore, Director and CEO, A.I Revolution 4 Technologies Pty Ltd
With an extensive background in both law and technology, Anthony holds a Bachelor of Computing Science & Information Technology (Cybersecurity & AI) from the University of Wollongong , a Diploma of Information Technology , and an Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology . These qualifications have provided him with expertise in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity frameworks, data science, and software engineering. In addition to his technical qualifications, He is also a qualified legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws from Sydney University (1984), and I have been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of NSW (1985) and the High Court of Australia (1988). His combined technical and legal expertise enables me to address AI risk management, compliance, and ethical AI governance. Chaired by Micheal Kirby High Court Judge and Justice Dennis Mahoney of the NSW Supreme Court, Anthony was part of the first Corporate Law Database created at University of Wollongong in 1983; see publication https://www.sclqld.org.au/catalogue/records/5689 Student Organiser of Computers and the Law at University of Sydney 1983. Moreover, as CEO of AI Revolution 4 Technologies Pty Ltd, he has been at the forefront of Agentic AI system development, pioneering autonomous AI-driven decision-making and task orchestration. His expertise includes designing multi-agent orchestration frameworks, integrating LLMs into intelligent, adaptive workflows, and leveraging AI-powered automation for enterprise solutions. Through advanced self-learning AI agents, he has contributed to innovations in AI governance, intelligent automation, and AI security protocols, ensuring robust and trustworthy AI implementations. His professional qualifications, coupled with extensive industry experience, make him well-suited for AI-driven roles that require leadership, strategic planning, and deep expertise in cybersecurity, AI, and data engineering.