In the current regulatory environment directors face heightened scrutiny and personal exposure under the Corporations Act, ASIC enforcement and emerging obligations with risks of both civil penalties and criminal sanctions. Gain a deep analysis of current ACCC investigations and enforcement priorities. Examine the practical risk frameworks, compliance requirements, risk mitigation strategies and case law insights of privacy legislation, data and technological risks relating to AI, taxation and personal guarantees and personal liabilities arising from insolvency situations.

Presenters

Suzanne Howari, Senior Associate, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Suzanne Howari is a highly regarded corporate and commercial lawyer specialising in regulatory enforcement and investigations (including ASIC, ACCC and ASX investigations), legal risk management, governance, corporate and commercial law and competition and consumer law. Suzanne holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney with particular focus on corporate and commercial law, and a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney. Suzanne is a recognised Risk and Governance Professional and a Fellow Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, and has been awarded the Certificate in Governance & Risk Management from the Governance Institute of Australia. In her practice, Suzanne leads highly complex regulatory investigations and develops risk management frameworks for her clients to reduce their exposure to legal risks and cultivate a culture of compliance. Noting her unique skills and extensive experience, Suzanne has been distinguished in the 2024 Women in Law Awards as a 'Thought Leader' for her work in regulatory investigations and legal risk management. As a trusted advisor to business leaders and their teams, Suzanne works closely with her clients and their professional advisors to formulate effective strategies and comprehensive solutions to achieve their objectives while managing their risks.


Marcelo de Farias, Acting Head of Legal, Auto Group
Marcelo de Farias has more than 25 years of experience as lawyer across two jurisdictions. He holds a degree in Law in Brazil and a Master of Laws from Bond University. Marcelo is the acting Head of Legal at the Auto & General Group, which provides general insurance products, including the Budget Direct brand. Marcelo has been advising Auto & General on a wide variety of matters since 2019, such as large technology contracts and financial services compliance. He has previously worked for many years in law firms in Brazil and Australia, including HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Corrs, Chambers & Westgarth. Marcelo has significant experience in advising businesses on Intellectual Property, complex IT projects and supply agreements.

Rhys Williamson, Partner, Mahoneys
Rhys is a Partner in our commercial team who specialises in commercial, corporate and intellectual property matters. Admitted as a solicitor in 2017, Rhys has experience assisting SMEs, large private businesses, research institutes, technology companies and start-ups with their commercial matters, including advising on negotiating and drafting buying, selling, distribution, manufacturing, consultancy and supply agreements, shareholder agreements; intellectual property licensing; software licensing; and privacy issues.

Chris Dobbs, Barrister, Rightful
Chris Dobbs is a corporations and commercial barrister. He can tell you whether Justice Black is likely to go for your scheme of arrangement and how to make ASIC turn into a playful kitten. He also tells us that a phoenix isn’t just a bird it is also a company and that winding up actually means winding down. He is particularly good at strategy and the long game. Having worked as a lawyer at ASIC, American Express, Gilbert & Tobin and the ASX, it is not a huge shock that he cooked up Rightful over many years. He comes across as too laid back for someone in advocacy but it is all a ruse. His opponents frequently fall for it though.

Dino Travaglini, Director, Travaglini Corporate Advisory
Dino is a director of Travaglini Corporate Advisory, a boutique corporate advisory and chartered accounting firm. The firm specialises in advising on business restructure, business turnaround, bank debt restructure, insolvency advice, independent expert reports and Safe Harbour advice. Mainly working with businesses which are experiencing financial distress. Prior to establishing Travaglini Corporate Advisory, he was a partner and principal for over 30 years with national chartered accounting and restructure firms, undertaking formal corporate and insolvency administrations and restructuring assignments. Relevant to today’s presentation, is that as part of providing restructuring advice, Dino needs to understand not only the financial position of the companies, but also the personal exposure and liability of its directors.