Presenters

Ric Birkett, Principal Lawyer, Aitken Partner
Ric Birkett is a principal lawyer in the Commercial and Property Section of Aitken Partners and has been in practice for over 25 years. His practice covers a broad range of corporate, commercial and property work in the commercial and not for profit sectors, including particular involvement in the aged care and retirement living industry (with recognition in the Health and Aged Care list in Doyle’s Guide). His work includes advising a range of clients in respect of governance, compliance, structuring and a range of commercial and property transactions including mergers and the purchase and sale of businesses and business interests.

Antony Berger, Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers East
Antony has a broad commercial practice and appears in all jurisdictions. He is regularly briefed to appear (whether led or unled), to draw pleadings, and to provide strategic and considered advice in all commercial matters. He is also regularly briefed to appear in and assist with the preparation of; applications for freezing orders, security for costs, injunctions, summary judgment and strike outs. His specific experience includes: Commercial law: Corporations Act matters (eg oppression proceedings), contract disputes, Australian Consumer Law matters, loans, fund misappropriation and accessorial liability issues, sales of businesses, and restraint of trade. Property: leasing, relief against forfeiture, sale of land, estate agents, planning and restrictive covenants, caveat removal, adverse possession, easements, owners corporations, recovery of land, and land rateability; Insolvency: set aside statutory demands, contested winding up applications, advice on voidable transactions, meetings proceedings, and personal bankruptcy; and Building and construction: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002, domestic building disputes, Building Act and BCA issues. He is undertaking a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. He also tutors in Obligations, Contracts and Property at Ormond College at the university. He read with Roslyn Kaye. His senior mentor is Philip Crutchfield QC. As a solicitor, he practiced in insurance law and commercial litigation across Victoria and NSW.