Presenters

Julia O'Connor, Barrister, 35 West Chambers
Prior to being called to the bar in 2015, Julia spent 8 years as a solicitor practising almost exclusively in complex commercial litigation. Upon commencing at the bar, Julia continued to practise in commercial litigation and has appeared in disputes in competition and consumer law, commercial property, insolvency, corporations law and contract. Her experience has included appearances in courts and tribunals in both state and federal jurisdictions, as well as appearances in commissions of inquiry such as the Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Julia has also developed a significant practice in mining, energy and resources, and environmental law. She regularly appears in cases before the Land Court of Queensland and the Land Appeal Court for mining proponents, statutory parties, and objectors. Julia has acted in environmental appeals, mining compensation disputes, land access disputes and mining objections proceedings. Her experience includes appearances in two of the largest and most complex objections proceedings before the Land Court – the New Acland and Waratah Coal objection proceedings. Currently, Julia is a member of Queensland Environmental Law Association and sits on the Bar Association of Queensland’s Environmental, Planning and Property Law Committee.

Dean Aitchison, Special Counsel, Shannon Clark Tuhtan
Dean has acted for a broad range of clients including Government departments and private companies in their roles as a principal, head contractor or subcontractor in commercial construction projects and multi-residential building projects. Having started his career in the trades, Dean completed a carpentry apprenticeship and later worked as a site foreman before moving into law. This hands-on industry experience gives him a practical perspective that clients value, particularly when navigating complex project and contractual issues. A graduate of Griffith University and holder of a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne (majoring in construction law), Dean also sits on several State and National dispute resolution committees and regularly presents at industry seminars for construction professionals. Dean advises developers, builders and homeowners across all stages of construction projects — from front-end contract negotiation and project delivery to dispute resolution and litigation.