This highly practical, focused session equips you with proven strategies to navigate Commonwealth ICT procurement requirements and also best practice for procurement that requires robust evaluation due to high‑risk, high‑value contexts and avoid costly contracting and delivery pitfalls. Learn directly from leading practitioners through real‑world case studies, hard‑won lessons from past procurement failures, and actionable guidance you can apply immediately to improve outcomes, governance and confidence across the procurement lifecycle.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
2.00pm to 3.00pm Navigating Commonwealth ICT Procurement: Avoiding Key Legal Risks
- Navigating key compliance and legal risks commonly arising in Commonwealth ICT procurements
- Planning ICT procurement for success, including risk identification, governance and early decision‑making
- Avoiding key contracting and delivery risks, including liability allocation, use of AI, data and information management and performance management
Presented by Louise Parry, Partner, Lander & Rogers; Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia since 2025 in Government Practice
4.00pm to 4.15pm Break
4.15pm to 5.15pm Prickly Procurement Issues: Examples from Past Procurements and Lessons Learned
An in-depth presentation taking you through real life examples of procurement failures and issues, how they were remedied and mitigated and lessons and take-aways.
Presented by Scott Alden, Partner, Mills Oakley; member of the Australian Advisory Board for World Commerce and Contracting Association and has been appointed by the Law Society of NSW as the Head Assessor for that Specialist Accreditation this year and lectures two procurement courses for the Masters Programs at both College of Law and the University of Melbourne.
3.00pm to 4.00pm Best Procurement Practice for Conducting Evaluations in High-Risk, High-Value Contexts
- Ensuring a fit-for-purpose and transparent evaluation process
- Selecting the best evaluation methodology for your procurement
- Managing multi-staged evaluation processes
- Writing an effective evaluation report
- Key evaluation risks and issues (eg, probity, evaluation criteria alignment, and supplier communications)
Presented by Rory Alexander, Managing Director, Aldermane; Finalist - Government Partner of the Year, Partner of the Year Awards (2023 and 2024), Winner - Innovator of the Year, Australian Law Awards (2023), Winner - Projects, Energy and Resources Partner of the Year, Partner of the Year Awards (2024), and Samuel Baker, Associate, Aldermane
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 advice to Commonwealth departments on all aspects of the procurement process. Rory works for both public sector and private clients. 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.
Scott Alden, Partner, Mills Oakley
With over 25 years of experience, Scott specialises as a legal advisor on significant projects and procurements for government clients. Scott’s role of lead advisor to significant projects often incorporates legal and procurement expertise on the same transaction, as well as strategic probity advice. In recognition of his position as a leading government lawyer, Scott was one of the first Law Society Accredited Specialists in Government and Administrative Law, both Commonwealth and State (with a focus on government commercial and procurement transactions), and has been appointed by the Law Society of NSW as the Head Assessor for that Specialist Accreditation in 2024. Scott also writes and lectures two procurement courses for the Masters Programs at both College of Law and the University of Melbourne. Scott is currently on an international committee that is in the process of drafting international Modern Slavery guidelines. He is experienced in drafting and implementing key project documents including market sounding/engagement documents, industry briefings, RFTs, tender evaluation plans, tender evaluation reports, commercial contracts and agreements and legal advices and resolutions to support decisions.
Louise Parry, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Louise is a recognised expert in government procurement and commercial law, with particular expertise in care services and technology projects. Louise has over a decade experience in providing strategic procurement and commercial advice to both public and private organisations, with a focus on the Commonwealth government. Louise’s approach is pragmatic, timely and solution-focused, with an emphasis on risk management. She is known for delivering actionable advice that enables confident decision-making.
Samuel Baker, Associate, Aldermane
Sam is a personable and highly motivated lawyer with over two years’ experience in the legal field having worked at leading family law firms in Sydney prior to joining Aldermane. During this time, Sam developed strong skills in preparing legal advice, drafting contracts, and effectively managing clients’ needs and expectations. Sam brings a diverse range of experiences including running his own business and working in remote areas overseas. These experiences have enabled him to approach complex problems with unique perspectives and practical solution focused thinking, while demonstrating a strong ability to work independently and efficiently. Sam graduated from Macquarie University in early 2025 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Environment. Since graduating, he has completed his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted as a lawyer in April 2026.
