As artificial intelligence and automated decision-making tools become increasingly embedded in government legal practice, lawyers must navigate a complex landscape of ethical, professional and public law obligations. This session explores the key risks associated with using AI in legal advice, policy development and administrative decision-making, including issues of confidentiality, privilege, accuracy, bias and accountability. Delegates will gain practical guidance on assessing and verifying AI-generated outputs, applying appropriate levels of human oversight, and ensuring professional judgment remains central to legal practice. Presented by Brenton Steenkamp, this session will provide government lawyers with practical safeguards and governance strategies to support defensible decision-making, protect public trust, and enable the responsible use of emerging technologies.
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
12.00pm to 1.00pm Ethics for Government Lawyers: Using AI and Automated Decision Making
- Identifying the ethical risks that arise when using AI or automated decision-making tools in government
- Protecting confidentiality, privilege and sensitive government information when working with AI-generated outputs
- Requirements to assess accuracy, bias, accountability and oversight before relying on AI-assisted advice or analysis
- Implementing practical safeguards to maintain professional judgement, public trust and defensible decision-making
Presented by Brenton Steenkamp, Partner, Clayton Utz; Lead Partner heading up Cyber Security Practice
Presenters
Brenton Steenkamp, Partner, Clayton UtzBrenton Steenkamp is the lead partner heading up the firm's Cyber security practice.Coming from a specialist forensic consulting and cyber risk background, Brenton brings more than two decades of exp erience in coordinating incident response, managing cyber risks and related internal investigations, including assisting stakeholders in regulatory matters. Brenton advises clients on various data security matters including the response and investigation of cyber and data breaches, insider threats, regulatory compliance and stakeholder management. Adept at bringing together and coordinating multi-disciplinary local and global teams, he has led and assisted clients on complex international cybercrime, response and remediation investigations across Europe, United States, Australia and Africa. Brenton has also worked closely with risk advisors, prosecutors and legal representatives, including working alongside law enforcement agencies in Europe and Africa, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US.
This seminar is part of a series
Ethics Lunchtime Series for Government Lawyers
As government lawyers you face a distinct set of ethical and professional responsibilities that require careful judgement, practical decision-making and a clear understanding of your obligations to the public interest. This three-part series explores some of the most significant ethical issues facing government practitioners today, from identifying who the client is and managing confidentiality, privilege and conflicts of interest, to understanding and applying model litigant obligations and navigating the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence. Through practical guidance, real-world examples and expert insights, you will develop the skills to recognise and respond to ethical challenges, minimise risk, and make confident, defensible decisions in complex situations. Leave with a stronger understanding of your professional responsibilities and a practical framework for maintaining the highest ethical standards in government legal practice.
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD units in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
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.
View series listing
