Join an in-depth exploration of the sweeping changes reshaping Victoria’s construction landscape. This comprehensive program covers critical reforms introduced by the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025 and the Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Act 2025. Gain practical drafting strategies for managing contractual risks drawn from expert experience and an analysis of recent case law. Navigate dispute resolution forum choice and the implications plus address the challenges when faced with insolvency within the project, with insights drawn from real-world cases and legislative updates. Presented by expert practitioners, this is an essential event for lawyers advising clients in construction - don’t miss the opportunity.

Presenters

Albert Monichino KC, Arbitrator & Mediator, Owen Dixon Chambers
Albert Monichino KC practices as a barrister, arbitrator and mediator. Appointed senior counsel in 2010 he has over 30 years of experience in commercial dispute resolution. He is a past President of the Australian branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (‘CIArb’), a Chartered Arbitrator, and is accredited as an advanced mediator. He has consistently been listed by Doyle’s Guide between 2017 and 2023 as one of Australia’s leading arbitration barristers. Albert has acted as arbitrator or as counsel under various arbitration rules in wide-ranging commercial disputes throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes. He has lectured and/or tutored in the CIArb Diploma Course in International Commercial Arbitration since its inception in 2016. In 2006 he was the Co-Course Director of the inaugural CIArb Asia-Pacific Diploma Course held in Singapore. Albert is the lead lecturer of the subject “Arbitration of International Commercial Disputes” offered by Monash University in June 2023 in its postgraduate law program. Albert also has a broad commercial litigation practice in the superior courts in Australia, including in the area of building and construction. He recently appeared for Amcor in a 45 day Supreme Court trial involving the remediation for asbestos contamination of the former Amcor paper mill site in Alphington, which Amcor sold to the developer, Glenville (judgment in favour of Amcor: [2023] VSC 637).

Kerry Ioulianou, Partner, Colin Biggers & Paisley
A partner in the Construction & Engineering team in Melbourne, Kerry's practice focuses on construction law with a particular emphasis on large scale, complex multi-party disputes. With over 17 years of experience as a legal practitioner across multiple jurisdictions, including South Africa and Australia, Kerry has developed a deep expertise in construction and engineering law. Before joining Colin Biggers & Paisley, Kerry practised exclusively as a barrister from 2006 until 2018. Kerry's practice encompasses construction and engineering advice, as well as handling contractual disputes arising from a wide range of projects in industries such as construction, energy, mining & resources, road & rail, and aged & community care. Kerry is a member of the Building List Users Group of the County Court of Victoria and has been recognised as a leading Construction and Infrastructure Lawyer - Victoria, 2024 by Doyles Guide. He was previously recognised as a rising star in Australia and Infrastructure (2020 and 2022) by Doyles Guide.

Harriet Warlow-Shill, Founding Partner, Warlows Legal
Harriet is Founder + Principal of an innovative firm with a focus on client service and legal excellence. Warlows Legal has been rapidly growing since being established on 1 March, 2021. Harriet has significant experience interacting with clients at senior management and board level as well as practicing in the areas of charities, construction, start-ups, and litigation. Harriet has worked on numerous Security of Payment Act matters for over 15 years. As a consequence of Harriet’s work, Harriet is well known to and respected by her clients, other lawyers and key regulators. Harriet’s expertise and reputation has made her a natural first stop for clients, some of whom she has worked with for more than a decade. Harriet is currently a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Building and Construction Working Group and the Law Institute of Victoria Human Rights Committee. Harriet is also Honorary Secretary of Australian Friends of Ariel University. Harriet is a member of the Society of Construction Lawyers Australia, the Building Disputes Practitioners Society, the Charity Lawyers of Australia and New Zealand and the Law Institute of Victoria. Harriet regularly presents on topics of construction law, charity law and start ups to members of the legal profession and the public.

Donna Abu-Elias, Director and Principal Lawyer, Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants
Having worked in private practice at Clayton Utz and as an in-house general counsel for both commercial builders and residential builders, Donna Abu-Elias founded Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants as she was passionate about the building and construction industry. Donna was admitted as a lawyer in April 2004. Donna has worked from some of the major volume builders in Australia including Burbank Group, Carlisle Homes and Simonds Group. Donna has been a member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) IR & Legal Committee from 2013 and was appointed as the Deputy Chair in 2020. Donna completed her Diploma in Construction Law in 2013. Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants specialises in building and construction advice and dispute, and represents owners and/or builders in Courts, VCAT and before the Building Appeals Board.

Jamie O’Regan, Barrister, Dawson Chambers