Presenters

Mick Batskos, Executive Director, FOI Solutions
Mick has over 37 years experience acting for government departments and agencies at all levels. That includes Commonwealth agencies, State government departments, statutory authorities and local councils. Mick has appeared or instructed in hundreds of proceedings in areas including freedom of information, privacy, appeals, and judicial review. Mick is the Executive Director of FOI Solutions, an accredited specialist firm in administrative law. He received a Law Institute of Victoria Certificate of Service in 2005 for demonstrated professional excellence and making a special contribution to the legal profession in the area of administrative law. He was named in the Doyles guide as a leading administrative lawyer in Victoria or Australia in 2021,2023 and 2024.

Natalie Blok, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Natalie Blok has been a lawyer for over 15 years, and a barrister for 7. Natalie has a background in administrative and employment law, focusing more recently on planning and environment law. Natalie regularly advises and appears for government agencies (including water authorities and local councils) and private parties in planning appeals, regulatory & penalty proceedings, inquiries & inquests and merits & judicial review proceedings. Her practice involves frequent appearance work in courts and tribunals, including VCAT, the Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the AAT, Boards and Panels. Before becoming a lawyer, Natalie worked in the disability sector. Natalie is hard working, systematic and thorough with a personable approach. She is known for attending to both detail and broader strategy. Natalie has an excellent understanding of government systems and administrative processes and is adept at making them easily understandable. She is passionate about the law, and the environment (both natural and urban) and brings strong research, writing and problem-solving skills to her work. Natalie is compassionate and sensitive to peoples’ needs. In 2018, Natalie completed a Masters of Public and International Law at the University of Melbourne and is currently undertaking post graduate studies in Planning and Environment at RMIT. Natalie is also a reporter for the Victorian Reports. Natalie regularly works with Senior Counsel, most recently with Daniel Star QC, Dominique Hogan-Doran SC, Kristen Walker QC (Solicitor-General), Malcolm Harding SC and Christopher Canavan QC. She has also worked with Richard Niall QC (now of the Court of Appeal), Melinda Richards SC & Steve Moore QC (both now of the Supreme Court), Susan Brennan SC, Paul O’Grady QC, Guy Gilbert SC, Sarah Porritt and Emrys Nekvapil. Natalie welcomes electronic briefs and direct access briefs.