Presenters

Rory Alexander, Managing Director, Aldermane
Rory is Aldermane's founder and managing partner. He is a specialist procurement and major projects lawyer, with a focus on Defence and Government procurement and the acquisition and sustainment of complex military capabilities. He works in Canberra and Sydney and provides pragmatic and commercially-minded advice to Commonwealth departments on all aspects of the procurement process, from the initial approach to market through to negotiation and contract award. Rory founded Aldermane because he wanted to serve his clients flexibly, and without the constraints of working in a traditional law firm. He is passionate about building a team of trusted and friendly advisors who are truly collaborative and outcomes-focused. With over 10 years’ experience in the legal industry, working for both public sector and private clients, Rory is able to balance his clients’ legal risks with their commercial and political realities. Rory provides advice to his clients throughout the whole procurement lifecycle, including: developing contract structures, project designs and procurement strategies, preparing approach to market materials and tender documentation, evaluating tenders for commercial and legal risks, negotiating contracts with preferred tenderers, including in relation to liability frameworks, indemnities, performance management, warranties, intellectual property and insurance, and managing contractual compliance during delivery. During his career, Rory has received the following awards and recognition for his work with Government clients: Finalist - 30under30, Government (2019), Rising Star - Australasian Lawyer Magazine (2020), Finalist - Defence Consultant of the Year, Defence Industry Awards (2023), Finalist - Government Partner of the Year, Partner of the Year Awards (2023 and 2024), Winner - Innovator of the Year, Australian Law Awards (2023) and Winner - Projects, Energy and Resources Partner of the Year, Partner of the Year Awards (2024). Rory holds a Bachelor of Business (Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia, and is a practising member of the Law Society of the ACT and also holds an interstate practising certificate in NSW. Prior to founding Aldermane, Rory was a senior associate at the international law firm, Ashurst.

Dr Jason Donnelly, Barrister, Latham Chambers
Associate Professor Dr. Jason Donnelly is a leading academic and barrister with a strong focus on immigration and public law in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (First Class & University Medal), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Dr. Donnelly completed his studies at the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, and the University of Western Sydney. He began his academic career as a law lecturer at the age of 23 and was called to the bar at 25. Before joining the bar, Dr. Donnelly had the privilege of working for Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG (former Justice of the High Court of Australia) and Justice Peter McClellan AM KC (former Chief Judge at Common Law, Supreme Court of NSW). As a barrister, Dr. Donnelly has been involved in over 287 published cases across Australia, with significant experience in the High Court, the Federal Court, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Administrative Review Tribunal. His practice has seen success in 76 Tribunal trials and 66 judicial review applications. He has also acted in 26 matters before the High Court. In addition to his legal practice, Dr. Donnelly has contributed to numerous legal journals and co-authored several legal publications. He has participated in various Commonwealth statutory inquiries and presented papers at conferences across Australia. Dr. Donnelly has had the opportunity to represent a diverse range of clients, including internationally recognised musicians (i.e. Skepta, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, J Hus, Layzie Bone and Jason Bradley DeFord (Jelly Roll)), politicians, law enforcement officers, sports professionals (i.e. Allen Iverson and Alexander Devyatov), and others from various fields. Currently, Dr. Donnelly serves as an Associate Professor (Level D) in the School of Law at Western Sydney University and practices at Latham Chambers with a national focus.