With seismic reform to the structure of the NDIS and the Senate Committee Report on the proposed reforms to NDIS due to be released on 14 August 2026 gain a comprehensive understanding of the implications of the reforms. Legal practitioners, advisors and providers will gain critical insights into the reforms and what they mean in practice, including the rollout of the “Thriving Kids” framework, shifting funding responsibilities and implementation impacts for children, families and services. With a strong focus on practical outcomes and emerging risks, be equipped with the knowledge and strategies needed to confidently advise clients navigating change. Hear directly from leading experts on participant perspectives, estate planning considerations and the potential increasing role of family support, before diving into recent case updates. Gain essential procedural knowledge on NDIS reviews and appeals directly from the Administrative Review Tribunal and from a legal expert.

Presenters

Alison Choy Flannigan, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
With over 25 years of corporate, commercial and regulatory experience, Alison has specialised in advising clients in the health, aged care, retirement living, disability, life sciences and community sectors. Alison co-leads the Health & Care Practice at National Law firm, Hall & Wilcox. Alison has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia (and the Australian Financial Review) since 2008 for Health & Aged Care and also Retirement Living and Biotechnology. She has been recognised in the Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as a Leading Health and Aged Care Lawyer each and every year since 2017 and Chambers for Life sciences. Alison has been a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year in Health every year since 2016 and won this prestigious award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly, Women in Law Awards, Partner of the Year - Big Law, 2019 and 2021.


Angela Cox, Principal Lawyer, Special Voices Disability Law & Advocacy
Angela is a Victorian-based disability lawyer. She specialises in solving the unique legal and system challenges faced by parents and siblings of people with intellectual disability, autism and other complex disabilities. Growing up with a brother with Down syndrome, drove Angela's passion to help families in a similar situation by establishing her legal practice, Special Voices, in 2017. Angela has represented many NDIS participants and their families in their appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal and advocated for them in other aspects of the NDIS. She has developed a reputation as an expert in NDIS matters related to children with autism, and early childhood intervention.


Kim Boettcher, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Kim is a Barrister at Frederick Jordan Chambers in Sydney.  Kim practises in Equity, Property Law, Protective and Guardianship Law, and in the Probate and Succession List.  Prior to coming to the Bar, she practised as a Solicitor in commercial and civil litigation law in London, Sydney and Brisbane.  Kim was appointed to the NSW Minister of Fair Trading's Retirement Villages Advisory Council in 2013 and also to the Minister's Expert Committee on Retirement Villages Standard Contract Terms and Disclosure Documents in 2011.   Kim was a member of the inaugural Legal Services Council in 2014 and reappointed from 2017-2020.   She was a Member of the NSW Bar Association’s Succession and Elder Law Committee from 2021-2024, and the Human Rights Committee in 2025 2026.   She is a member of NSW Regional Women Lawyers even though she usually has to work in Sydney.


Shannon Finegan, Barrister, Greens List
Shannon Finegan was called to the Victorian Bar in 2020 and practises in administrative law, merits review, and appellate proceedings. She appears regularly in the Administrative Review Tribunal across multiple Commonwealth jurisdictions, including NDIS, Comcare, and migration matters, and has conducted proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Federal Court, the Full Federal Court, and in High Court proceedings led by senior counsel. Before coming to the Bar, Shannon worked for fifteen years as a registered nurse, and specialised in renal care, holding postgraduate qualifications in that field. Her clinical background in chronic and complex disease management informs her practice in disability and health law, including the assessment of functional capacity evidence and expert medical reports, and a working understanding of the clinical dimensions of complex support needs in NDIS proceedings. Shannon has a particular interest in the statutory construction of the NDIS Act and the developing jurisprudence of the ART in disability support disputes. This session draws on her experience in contested NDIS review proceedings involving specialist disability accommodation, the amended reasonable and necessary criteria, and the interaction between informal supports and funded care.

James Marshall, Consultant, Cardillo Gray Partners
James gained his initial experience and expertise in commercial law as a solicitor in private law firms in Sydney. He subsequently served as an Associate Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre before working as a consultant solicitor in a city-based legal practice. James also completed a Master of Laws (LLM) by research with First Class Honours. In 2008, James commenced an in-house legal role with Newcastle City Council, where he remained until 2023. During his tenure, he spent 14 years managing complex litigation and providing legal advice on planning appeals, criminal and civil prosecutions, contractual matters, and issues arising under the Local Government Act, including statutory advice and orders. James is currently engaged as a consultant lawyer with Cardillo Gray Lawyers in Newcastle.


Michael Perkins, Special Counsel, Long Saad Woodbridge
Michael Perkins is a Special Counsel at Long Saad Woodbridge with over three decades of experience in trusts, estates and private client practice. Michael has received TEP Designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the MICW designation from the Institute for Collaborative Working. He leads the Professional Services Special Interest Group at the Institute fir Collaborative Working Australia. His practice focusses on helping clients build a sustainable and inclusive future for themselves, their supporters and successors, in the areas of Private Client Wealth Conservation, Governance and Succession, Business Structuring, Estate Planning & Administration, Probate, Estate Administration & Disputes, Corporate & Commercial Operations.

Belinda Kochanowska, Principal, Intrepidus Law
Belinda Kochanowska is an award winning NDIS law and disability law expert. She is a passionate advocate for disability rights, known for founding and leading Intrepidus Law, Australia’s foremost NDIS and disability rights law firm. Her dedication is fuelled by her personal experience as the mother and carer of an NDIS Participant, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating the NDIS and disability rights issues. With over 20 years of legal experience, Belinda’s career spans top-tier private practice, government roles at both the state and federal levels, corporate in-house positions, and advocacy work at a not-for-profit disability human rights organisation. Her commitment to the inclusion of neurodivergent children in mainstream schooling drives her ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive society. Belinda’s expertise has been recognised at the highest levels, including her invitation to provide evidence at the Senate Hearing Committee inquiry on key NDIS legislation amendments. Belinda Kochanowska’s blend of professional excellence and personal commitment makes her a powerful force in the fight for disability rights. Belinda was awarded the prestigious 2025 Queensland Law Society Solicitor of the Year Award (Small Firm) and is a finalist for the illustrious 2025 Australian Human Rights Commission Award (Law Award). Belinda completed a Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma PLEAT at the University of Queensland in 2003 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2003 and the High Court of Australia. Belinda’s 20 year legal career ranges from being a solicitor in top tier private legal practice, a lawyer in government (both State and Commonwealth) and as a corporate in-house Lawyer at various corporate entities, publicly listed and government owned, and a not-for-profit human rights organisation. Belinda has built a specialisation in NDIS Law and Appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal.


Andrea de Smidt, Principal Solicitor, NDIS Advocacy Practice, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
Andrea has worked for over twenty years as a lawyer, largely within the Queensland community legal sector. Andrea’s experience includes coordinating the Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic and Self Representation Service, both initiatives of LawRight, and working as a Senior Lawyer for Legal Aid Queensland representing clients in anti-discrimination complaints and National Disability Insurance Scheme appeals. Andrea now leads the NDIS Advocacy Practice at Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, and is committed to working with others to achieve the greatest possible impacts both at an individual and systemic level.

Kruna Dordevic, Deputy President, Jurisdictional Area Leader- NDIS and Social Security, Administrative Review Tribunal
Kruna Dordevic was assigned as the jurisdictional area leader for the Social Security and the National Disability Insurance Scheme jurisdictional areas from 14 October 2024. She was appointed as a deputy president on 22 July 2024. Deputy President Dordevic was first appointed as a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal in 2006 and was appointed as a senior member of the AAT in 2022. She served as a practice leader in the AAT’s Social Services and Child Support Division prior to her appointment as a deputy president. Previously, Deputy President Dordevic has undertaken various roles in the social services sector for government and charitable organisations, including the Service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, child protection and with women and children fleeing family violence.