Presenters

Diane Skapinker, Principal, Skapinker Law
Diane works on her own account as a principal of Skapinker Law as well as consulting to the Ashurst real estate group where she specialises in property developments, strata and community titling, acquisitions, disposals, leasing and the property aspects of telecommunications and infrastructure projects. Diane was formerly an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Sydney lecturing in Real Property, Conveyancing and Equity and is a member of the NSW Law Society’s Property Law Committee and its subcommittee responsible for drafting the NSW standard form contract for the sale and purchase of land. Diane is recognised as a real estate lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Doyle's Guide and Best Lawyers Australia.

Emma Beechey, Barrister, New Chambers
Ms Beechey practises in commercial litigation, with specialisations in domestic and cross-border insolvency, banking and financial regulation. She regularly acts for local and foreign insolvency practitioners, major financial institutions, corporations, investors and regulators in complex commercial and insolvency matters. She appears in all Australian courts, principally in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of New South Wales at both trial and appellate levels. She has appeared unled in significant cases at both first instance and on appeal. Her recent briefs have included appearing in the High Court (led) and in the NSW Court of Appeal (unled) for Garuda Indonesia in a successful claim of foreign state immunity; appearing for SMBC in relation to the Forum Finance fraud; and appearing unled in the NSW Court of Appeal in Caron v Jahani (No 2) (2020) 102 NSWLR 537, one of the leading Australian decisions on tracing into a deficient trust fund. Her cross-border insolvency briefs have included acting for Thai Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Exactech Inc, Astora Women’s Health, and the liquidators of GetSwift and Caledonian Bank. Ms Beechey also acts for financial regulators including ASIC and APRA, including in cryptocurrency-related matters and superannuation matters. She has a detailed understanding of cryptocurrencies, DeFi, smart contracts, blockchain technology and NFTs. Ms Beechey is recognised annually in each of the Australian ranking guides. She is a Fellow of INSOL International and the lecturer for the Australian module of the INSOL Foundation Certificate in International Insolvency Law.

Philip Bambagiotti, Barrister, Tenth Floor St James Hall Chambers
Philip Bambagiotti is a barrister / arbitration counsel based in Sydney, Australia. He has over twenty years' experience as an advocate specialising in Commercial and Construction Law matters. This experience also extends to the provision of representation in Alternative Dispute Resolution matters. He practices in all aspects of commercial law, including: contract disputes, tort disputes, Building & Construction disputes (including Home Building Act matters), Security of Payments disputes and adjudications, Arbitration law, Trade Practices law, Corporations Law, Insurance, Environmental Law, Planning & Local Government Law, Property and Strata matters, appeals and judicial review as well as Occupational Health & Safety, International Sale of Goods matters and Taxation appeals.


Alice Ruhe, Managing Principal – Queensland. SMB Advisory
Alice has practised in the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Industry for over 20 years and is a Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy and a Registered Liquidator. Having experience in all forms of corporate and personal insolvency administrations, Alice is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, a member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) and the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). Alice was honoured to have received the "WIRQ" Award for 2021. Alice acts as Trustee in Bankruptcy and Liquidator in a number of complex and litigious matters, often at the request of creditors or other authorities. With extensive experience in investigations into voidable transactions, recovery of property and referrals of misconduct, Alice has been involved in numerous legal proceedings resulting in positive recoveries and returns to the respective Bankrupt Estates and Liquidations, for the benefit of creditors. Alice has had experience dealing with external administrations involving the building, hospitality, information technology, accounting, legal, medical, retail and various other industries. A true believer in providing clear and relevant communication to stakeholders, Alice acknowledges that more often than not things are not always quite as they seem.

Natasha Novo, Barrister, New Chambers
Natasha accepts briefs in all areas of law. She has experience in both commercial and public law. Before coming to the Bar, Natasha was an Associate at the High Court of Australia to the Hon Justice Jagot and at the Federal Court of Australia to the Hon Justice Abraham. Natasha practised as a solicitor at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and at the Australian Government Solicitor. In those roles, Natasha advised and acted for large commercial organisations, government bodies and group members in representative proceedings. Natasha has experience in a broad range of areas including competition law, class actions and regulatory law as well as criminal law, acquisitions and takeovers, conflict of laws, insurance and insolvency. Natasha holds a Bachelor of Laws, from which she graduated with Honours, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney.

David Jury, Partner, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
David has practised in building and construction industry for 25years and has particular expertise in adjoining landowner issues including proceedings under section 88K of the Conveyancing Act. David’s clients include Contractors, Developers and specialist subcontractors. David provides advice on tendering, project delivery, contract administration and dispute resolution including processes under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act.


Penny Thew, Barrister, State Chambers
With over 25 years’ experience in advocacy, advising and dispute resolution, Penny is recognised by Legal 500 and Doyle’s Guide as leading in her areas of expertise, including all aspects of employment and discrimination law. Further details about Penny’s experience can be viewed here: https://statechambers.net/penny-thew/