Today's in-house counsel are expected to do far more than provide legal advice. They must navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, manage legal and commercial risk, support strategic decision-making and help their organisations respond to rapid technological and societal change. This practical webinar series has been designed specifically for in-house legal professionals, delivering timely guidance on the issues shaping legal practice and corporate governance. Across eight focused sessions, gain practical insights into employment law developments, privacy reform and AI governance, ESG and climate reporting, financial literacy, regulatory investigations and corporate misconduct, as well as the ethical, commercial and operational challenges facing modern legal teams. Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage risk, enhance organisational resilience and deliver greater strategic value to your business.
Description
Attend the complete series and earn 10 CPD units including:
5 units in Substantive Law
3 units in Professional Skills
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management and Business Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
*The full series is running from Thursday, 17 September 2026 to Thursday, 26 November 2026
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
Practical Guidance on Employment Law Updates
Thursday, 17 September 2026
In-house counsel are increasingly being called on to navigate complex employment issues while balancing legal risk, employee wellbeing and organisational objectives. This practical employment law update will equip you with practical strategies to deal with the latest insights on key legal developments, psychosocial safety obligations and emerging workplace risks. Minimise the risks in managing investigations, disciplinary processes and handling employee complaints, and effectively support HR and leadership teams through sensitive workforce matters. Ensure you and your organisation are prepared for the employment challenges ahead.
1.00pm to 2.00pm Practical Guidance on Employment Law Updates
- Recent employment law developments and emerging risks
- Psychosocial hazards and workplace compliance obligations
- Managing investigations, disciplinary issues and employee complaints
- Practical guidance for in-house counsel supporting HR and management teams
Presented by Sarah Ralph, Employment Law Partner, Ernst & Young
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Cynthia Elachi, Partner, Clayton Utz
Presenters
Cynthia Elachi, Partner, Clayton Utz
Cynthia brings holistic and commercially attuned experience across all aspects of employment law, ranging from strategic employment advice, unfair dismissal and adverse action claims, to defending large-scale employment-related litigation. Cynthia regularly undertakes the role of workplace investigator for clients, dealing with issues involving bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and intoxication at work. Cynthia's investigation experience is extensive and highly sought after, crossing a variety of industries including technology, entertainment and tertiary education. Cynthia often appears on behalf of major corporate clients across all jurisdictions including the NSW Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Australia on a variety of issues, such as restraint of trade matters and breach of contract cases. She works closely with her clients to promote positive workplace culture, assisting with drafting employment policies and conducting client workshops on a variety of topics including managing poor performance, termination of employment and providing EEO and bullying and harassment training. Cynthia is a keen speaker having presented a number of seminars and workshops on a variety of employment law issues. On account of her particular interest in workplace investigations, she has presented seminars and conducted all day training workshops on the fundamentals of workplace investigations for both clients and for external organisations.
Sarah Ralph, Employment Law Partner, Ernest & Young
Sarah is a trusted adviser to her clients well known for her pragmatic and strategic advice. She advises in all areas of employment law including public sector employment, investigations, compliance and underpayments, discrimination and sexual harassment, executive employment and termination of employment. Sarah has a significant background in industrial relations including strategic planning, enterprise agreements and industrial disputes. Sarah also has an impressive record in employment litigation, successfully defending claims against employers in discrimination, general protection and unfair dismissal claims. Sarah has a Bachelor of laws and Master of Laws. She has previously worked in the manufacturing and government sectors and she brings her unique experience to the employment law advice she provides clients. Prior to joining EY she worked in a leading global law firm.
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Privacy Reform, AI and Data Governance
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Privacy regulation is evolving rapidly and your organisation is facing increasing pressure to adopt AI responsibly and strengthen your management of data. Navigating the intersection of privacy reform, AI governance and data management is critical to reducing risk, maintaining compliance and supporting innovation. Gain practical guidance on emerging legal obligations, governance frameworks and accountability measures, helping you manage the complex and fast-changing regulatory landscape.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Bronwyn Furse, Partner, Thomsons; Recognised in Doyle's Guide for Privacy and Data Security Law, Intellectual Property Law and Franchise Law, Intellectual Property and in Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law
1.00pm to 2.00pm Privacy Reform, AI and Data Governance
- Key privacy reform developments and evolving compliance obligations
- Managing AI governance, accountability and emerging legal risks
- Building effective data governance frameworks across the organisation
- Practical strategies for in-house counsel overseeing privacy, data and AI compliance
Presented by Olga Ganopolsky, General Counsel – Privacy and Data, Macquarie Group
Presenters
Olga Ganopolsky, General Counsel – Privacy and Data, Macquarie Group
Olga Ganopolsky is Macquarie Group’s General Counsel - Privacy and Data and is versed in the subject of data protection with extensive experience in detailed privacy policy challenges, law reform and ongoing management of legal and strategic issues. Much of Olga’s work involves implementing new technologies and addressing privacy requirements in an increasingly complex co-regulatory and sometimes contentious environment. Most recently this has included work on implementations of recent changes to the Privacy Act 1988 and the reforms to Security of Critical Infrastructure Act and related regimes, automated decision making and artificial intelligence, CPS 234, the Consumer Data Right and addressing cross border issues considering the Schrems II Decision of the European Court of Justice and the newly updated Standard Contractual Clause as approved by the Commission.
Bronwyn Furse, Partner, Thomsons
Bronwyn Furse is a commercial lawyer with specialist expertise in the areas of privacy, data protection and cybersecurity, and intellectual property amongst others. Her practice traverses public and private industry sectors including financial services, government, health, health tech and other technology providers, manufacturing, automotive, higher education, health, manufacturing, energy and resources, from start-ups through to multinational groups. Working with multinational groups means Bronwyn's work involves complex cross border work, and understanding of relationships between various local and offshore privacy regimes. In relation to privacy, data protection and cybersecurity she routinely provides advisory services, manages data breaches, complaints and investigations, assists with contractual negotiations, develops compliance frameworks, undertakes audits, conducts privacy impact assessments, and delivers tailored training. Bronwyn is on the Australia and New Zealand advisory board for the International Association of Privacy Professionals, as well as the Licensing Executives Society. She is routinely recognised by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in Australia in the areas of Privacy and Data Security Law, Intellectual Property Law and Franchise Law, and in Doyle’s Guide as a recommended lawyer in the areas of Intellectual Property and in Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law.
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Recognising and Dealing with Legal and Commercial Risk
Thursday, 22 October 2026
As an in-house counsel you are expected to advise on risk every day, but the greatest challenge is often balancing legal exposure against commercial objectives. This practical session will help you identify, assess and respond to legal and commercial risks in a way that supports decision-making and business outcomes. Explore risk and reward trade-offs, understand the legal environment in which clients operate, and gain practical tools for managing risk while protecting both the organisation and those responsible for its governance and oversight.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Professional Skills
1.00pm to 2.00pm Recognising and Dealing with Legal and Commercial Risk
- Risk: What is it?
- Legal environment of risk for clients
- Risk return trade off
- How to deal with risk
- Possible tools to use in deal with striking the balance of legal and commercial risk and reward
- Personal risks of advisors and officer’s
Presented by Steven Brown, Chairman, Ettienne Lawyers; Steven has lectured at UTS in Corporations and Securities Law and Macquarie University in Banking Law Course; Lecturer, College of Law Masters of Law in commercial drafting and business structuring
Presenters
Steven Brown, Chairman, Etienne LawyersSteven Brown is highly experienced lawyer with an extensive knowledge in all aspects of commercial law, with an intimate knowledge of the Corporations Law and the Australian Securities Exchange business and listing rules, being involved in corporate structuring, compliance, corporate takeovers, company floats, the preparation of prospectuses, employee share schemes and advising on directors' duties, and insolvency and securities law and practice. Steven currently lectures: in the Masters of Banking Law Course conducted by Macquarie University; in the Master of Finance for FINSIA in the areas of securities and insolvency and contract law and law, regulation and ethics; and for the Property Investors Association of Australia in security law and practice. Steven has published a number of articles on commercial subjects. He has lectured for the Australian Institute of Company Directors from 1989-2008, lectured in the Master and Doctorate courses at UTS in corporations, finance and securities law from 1989-1995, and is currently lecturing in the College of Law Masters course in commercial drafting and business structuring.
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Ethics, Professional Skills and Practice Management for In-House Counsel
Thursday, 29 October 2026
In-house counsel must navigate a complex mix of ethical responsibilities, commercial pressures and rapid technological change. Strengthen your ability to identify and manage risk, maintain professional independence and deliver strategic value to your organisation. Explore common ethical dilemmas and professional responsibility issues, develop stronger contract drafting and negotiation skills through a focus on indemnities and risk allocation, and gain insight into how AI and legal function transformation are reshaping the delivery of legal services. Leave with practical tools and strategies to help you address today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities.
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
2.00pm to 3.00pm Ethical Dilemmas You May Face as In-House Counsel
- Managing conflicts of interest, including unconscious bias
- Managing “unethical” or difficult people
- Taking on too much – when you need to step back
- How to identify an ethical issue
Presented by Ines Kallweit, Principal & Notary, KHQ Lawyers
Professional Skills
3.00pm to 4.00pm Practical Contract Drafting: Indemnities and Risk Allocation
- Draft indemnity clauses that appropriately allocate risk
- Why insurance clauses are a new battleground in risk allocation
- Rely on case law examples to negotiate with greater confidence
- Identify common drafting pitfalls and apply practical strategies to better protect your organisation's interests
Presented by Daniel Gosewisch, Legal Practice Director, NPAA Law & Consultant, Work Pac
Practice Management and Business Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Legal Function Transformation and AI for In-House Counsel
Presented by Matthew Morosin, Australia and Asia Pacific Lead, Deloitte
4.00pm to 4.15pm Break
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD units including:
1 unit in Professional Skills
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management and Business Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Marcelo De Farias, Senior Legal Counsel, Auto & General Insurance Company
Presenters
Matthew Morosin, Australia & Asia Pacific Lead, Legal Function Transformation, DeloitteMatt leads Deloitte’s Australian and Asia Pacific Legal Management Consulting and Legal Managed Services practice. Matt is passionate about transforming and optimising the delivery of legal services, including through process improvement, utilising technology, right sourcing and harnessing the power of data to drive strategic decision making. He is also a Teaching Fellow at the College of Law, delivering the Legal Operations unit as part of the Masters of Legal Business.
Daniel Gosewisch, Legal Practice Director, NPAA Law & Consultant, Work Pac
Daniel Gosewisch is the Legal Practice Director at NPAA Law Pty Ltd, and boutique commercial and employment law firm. He also continues to act as consulting General Counsel for the WorkPac Group. In total he has spent 25 years in-house working across government, resources, retail, and general corporate sectors. He holds degrees in Law and Environmental Science from Griffith University, a Master of Laws from Queensland University of Technology, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute. He also publishes regularly on associated legal topics, including as editor of lawofcontract.com.au.
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Marcelo De Farias, Senior Legal Counsel, Auto & General Insurance Company
Marcelo de Farias has more than 25 years of experience as lawyer across two jurisdictions. He holds a degree in Law in Brazil and a Master of Laws from Bond University. Marcelo is senior legal counsel at the Auto & General Group, which provides general insurance products, including the Budget Direct brand. Marcelo has been advising Auto & General on a wide variety of matters since 2019, such as large technology contracts and regulatory compliance. He has previously worked for many years in law firms in Brazil and Australia, including HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Corrs, Chambers & Westgarth. Marcelo has significant experience in advising businesses on Intellectual Property, complex IT projects, procurement, supply agreements and financial services regulatory compliance.
Ines Kallweit, Principal Lawyer, KHQ Lawyers
Ines Kallweit is a Principal Lawyer and leads the Wills & Estates team at KHQ Lawyers. She is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates (Law Institute of Victoria), a Notary Public, and a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners. Ines advises clients across all aspects of estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation. Her practice includes the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, advanced care directives, succession planning, asset structuring, and the administration of estates. She adopts a practical, solutions‑focused approach to comprehensive estate planning. Ines has extensive experience in estate litigation, acting for estates and individuals in disputes involving wills, trusts, property, guardianship matters and family provision claims. She also handles applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, guardianship and administration proceedings including VCAT appearances, charitable gifts and cy‑près applications, resealing interstate and international grants, and complex estate administrations, including court‑appointed roles. Ines has a strong interest in legal education and holds a Master of Teaching. She is a former adjunct lecturer at the College of Law and regularly presents for professional education providers. A native German speaker, she is recognised as a leading Wills & Estates practitioner and a pre‑eminent litigation lawyer.
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ESG: Managing Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance
Thursday, 5 November 2026
ESG obligations are no longer confined to sustainability teams. In-house counsel are increasingly expected to advise on governance, climate reporting, disclosure obligations and the commercial implications of ESG across the organisation. This practical session will help you navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, manage greenwashing and disclosure risks, and provide effective advice to boards and senior leaders on ESG-related obligations. Explore how ESG considerations are shaping contracts, supply chain management, mergers and acquisitions, and broader business operations, and gain practical insights to help your organisation manage risk while responding to growing stakeholder and regulatory expectations.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Linda Martin, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Integrated Waste Services
1.00pm to 2.00pm ESG: Managing Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance
- Exploring current and emerging legislation and regulation
- Governance and director duty obligations, advising boards and managing ESG risks
- Managing ESG risks including greenwashing and disclosure obligations
- ESG from a commercial lens with contracts, supply chain due diligence, mergers and acquisitions and business operations
Presented by Emma Peters, Director, Cowell Clarke; ESG specialist lawyer
Presenters
Linda Martin, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Integrated Waste Services
Linda is the General Counsel & Company Secretary of Integrated Waste Services Group and prior to that was General Counsel for another waste and resource recovery business. She has held senior legal roles in property development, asset management and corporate governance with a top tier law firm and in-house with ASX listed Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd, Optus, Stockland and Colonial First State Global Asset Management. Linda specialise in contract delivery and risk management across Integrated Waste Services Group’s businesses in SA, NSW & WA, and liaises with regulators and customers and government authorities in relation to existing operations and new projects. Linda enjoys working in the circular economy where waste is a recyclable resource.
Emma Peters, Director, Cowell Clarke
Emma Peters stands out as a visionary ESG specialist lawyer, whose expertise and innovative approaches make her an invaluable asset to businesses navigating the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility and compliance. Her blend of practical experience and deep legal acumen positions her as a leader in her field, dedicated to fostering responsible and sustainable business practices across the globe Emma’s speciality relates to compliance and strategy pertaining to environment, social and governance matters with particular expertise regarding modern slavery compliance, bribery and corruption, whistleblowing and sustainability. She dedicates her practice to advising entities on implementing systems and process including policies procedures and conducting investigations. She has also developed an online platform to facilitate entities undertaking supply chain due diligence. Emma also advises on general commercial matters including contractual negotiations and tender reviews With experience as in-house legal counsel, Emma has a real-world understanding of businesses operating on a global scale and the regulatory, compliance and legal framework associated with international operations Emma is regularly sought out to present on the evolving ESG landscape in Australia and Asia Pacific region.
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Managing Regulatory Investigations and Reducing the Risk of Enforcement Action
Thursday, 12 November 2026
When regulators start asking questions, the way you respond in the first hours and days can significantly influence the outcome. Whether dealing with an ASIC inquiry, ACCC scrutiny, or allegations raised through a whistleblower complaint, in-house counsel play a critical role in managing risk, protecting privilege, and guiding organisations through regulatory pressure. Gain practical insight into current enforcement priorities, the year's most significant settlements and court decisions, emerging theories of systems and accessory liability, and the key issues facing directors and officers. Leave with a clearer understanding of how to respond strategically to investigations, reduce the risk of enforcement action, and provide confident, commercially focused advice when the stakes are high.
1.00pm to 2.00pm Managing Regulatory Investigations and Reducing the Risk of Enforcement Action
- ASIC and ACCC enforcement priorities, and what they signal for the year ahead
- The year's significant settlements and decided cases, and the lessons in them
- Systems liability and accessory liability for directors and officers
- Practical points for in-house counsel responding to regulatory scrutiny
Presented by Peter Travis, Barrister and Mediator, Gibbs Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Rowan Kendall, Counsel, Ashurst Perkins Coie
Presenters
Peter Travis, Commercial Barrister and Mediator, Gibbs Chambers and Hemmant’s ListPeter Travis is a commercial barrister at Gibbs Chambers and Hemmant’s List, specialising in banking and finance litigation and financial services regulatory enforcement. He has practised at the Queensland Bar since 2008 and appears in the trial and appellate courts across Australia. Peter advises on regulatory compliance issues, especially in the financial services industry, and represents parties during regulatory examinations and enforcement proceedings, including civil penalty litigation. His commercial practice focuses on contested securities enforcement, commonly involving allegations of unfair contract terms, unconscionable conduct, contractual penalties and accessorial liability. Peter is an accredited mediator (AMDRAS) who mediates a broad range of commercial and civil disputes nationally. He is also a California attorney who practised as a trial attorney in Los Angeles representing media clients in complex First Amendment, intellectual property and commercial litigation. Peter studied law at the University of Queensland, where he took the University Medal for Law.
Rowan Kendall, Counsel, Ashurst
Rowan Kendall has in-depth experience in competition law, regulated infrastructure (including third party access), compliance and bribery, and consumer law. Rowan has practised competition, regulatory and projects law in Australia, the United Kingdom (focusing on the European Union cartel, merger and energy regulation regimes), and Myanmar (with broader experience across South-East Asia). A key part of Rowan's careers has involved working on and managing significant national and cross-border projects, including regionally-funded infrastructure concessions and developing greenfield third party access regulations, multi-jurisdictional compliance investigations and major merger filings. Rowan has dealt directly with a range of regulators in both developed and emerging economies, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Queensland Competition Authority, the European Commission, the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority, and the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce (Competition Division).
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Financial Literacy for In-House Counsel: Beyond the Financial Statements
Thursday, 19 November 2026
Strong financial literacy enables in-house counsel to move beyond identifying legal risks and become trusted commercial advisers. Gain practical skills to interpret the financial information that drives executive and board decision-making, recognise early warning signs of financial stress, and assess the commercial implications of contracts, transactions and strategic initiatives. Learn how to critically analyse budgets, forecasts and management reports, ask more informed questions of finance teams, and deliver advice that is commercially focused, strategically aligned and better positioned to support business objectives.
Professional Skills
1.00pm to 2.00pm Financial Literacy for In-House Counsel: Beyond the Financial Statements
Building on the fundamentals, this advanced session explores how in-house lawyers can use financial information to identify risks, support decision-making and provide more commercially focused advice. Moving beyond balance sheets and profit and loss statements, delegates will learn how to interrogate financial information, spot warning signs and better understand the commercial realities driving executive and board decisions.
- Identify financial warning signs and assess indicators of financial distress, solvency concerns and business risk
- Interpret cash flow forecasts, budgets and management reports to better understand commercial decision-making
- Use of cash versus non-cash financial information and key instances where commonly interchanged
- Evaluate the financial implications of contracts, transactions and strategic business initiatives
- Ask the right questions of finance teams, executives and boards to provide more commercially focused legal advice
Presented by Ashley Miller, Partner, Grant Thornton
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Ashley Miller, Partner, Grant ThorntonAshley is a Financial Advisory Partner with over 20 years of experience advising both local and international clients on a wide range of transaction types, spanning the mid-market and top-end sectors. His unique blend of transaction and industry experience, includes five years of recent industry involvement and secondments in Asia, Europe and the US, and is what sets him apart from other advisors. Ashley’s expertise spans across a variety of industries, with a particular focus on agriculture, consumer products, food and beverages, health, industrial products and services, Japanese services, and manufacturing. Part of his experience includes acting as an investigating accountant and supporting companies with several ASX IPOs. Additionally, he is particularly adept at helping clients with sales and purchase agreement services, completion processes, and dispute resolution. He has also worked on a number of M&A-related dispute matters, including one of Australia’s largest corporate settlements.
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Corporate Governance, Directors' Duties and Personal Liability
Thursday, 26 November 2026
Directors are under increasing scrutiny and senior executives and in-house counsel are not far behind. As expectations around governance, oversight and accountability continue to rise, legal teams need to be ready to advise clearly on directors’ duties, personal liability and the practical steps needed to reduce risk. Gain a firm, practical understanding of where exposure can arise, how to guide boards and senior executives with confidence and what you can do to strengthen governance before problems escalate. Gain practical insights to help you protect the organisation, support better decision-making and manage your own risk as a trusted in-house adviser.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
1.00pm to 2.00pm Corporate Governance, Directors' Duties and Personal Liability
This practical session will explore:
- Directors' duties and recent developments in the law
- Governance failures and common risk areas for boards
- Responsible use of AI – including recent commentary about how it can be used
- Personal liability risks for directors and officers
Presented by Rhys Williamson, Partner, Mahoneys
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