Stop drafting on autopilot. Start drafting to win. In one focused half-day, learn how experienced barristers and litigators draft the pleadings, affidavits, costs applications and subpoenas that get results, and walk away with practical skills you can use on your very next file. Hear directly from the people who read, settle and fix court documents every day. Discover how to identify your best points, avoid positions that create unnecessary disputes, make strategic use of particulars and admissions, and draft affidavits that hold up as evidence. Gain the tips, learn the common mistakes and how to fix them, and find out whether AI is friend or foe when it comes to drafting. Whether you are building your skills or sharpening the ones you already have, this is your chance to learn from the bar and the best in commercial litigation, without leaving your desk.

Presenters

Darrell Kake, Principal, Longton Blackwell
Darrell has drafted many court documents. He assists high net worth individuals, business owners and families with complex commercial disputes in a very broad range of commercial situations. Darrell has conducted court proceedings in various state and federal courts especially in NSW, Queensland and Victoria including the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. Darrell is a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in commercial litigation and a member of the NSW Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Commercial Litigation Advisory Committee. Darrell is also accredited by the Queensland Law Society (QLS) as an accredited specialist in commercial litigation. Darrell was previously member of the QLS commercial litigation specialist accreditation advisory committee. Darrell is an adjunct lecturer in the College of Law’s specialist Masters of Law (LLM) in Commercial Litigation educating practicing solicitors and barristers about commercial disputes. He was an officer in the Australian Army Reserve for over 20 years. Darrell regularly amends first drafts of court documents produced by solicitors. His presentation draws on that experience to talk about what works, what doesn’t work and some tips, tactics and techniques you can employ to produce better court documents.

Michelle Campbell, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Michelle was admitted to the Bar in 2007. Her practice has extended to both criminal and civil matters. She had appeared both led and unled in many Courts and tribunals, including in a 5 month criminal trial at the ACT Supreme Court. Currently, her main area of practice is personal injury. Prior to the Bar, Michelle was a police prosecutor then, upon admission as a solicitor, worked in various government departments.


Andrew Bailey, Barrister, Third Floor Wentworth Chambers
Andrew has developed a broad practice as both advocate and adviser, with expertise in: Commercial litigation, building and construction disputes (including Security of Payment matters), bankruptcy and insolvency, equity, wills and estates, administrative law. Andrew maintains a strong commercial and equity-focused practice, appearing in trial courts and alternative dispute resolution forums for a diverse client base, including SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, and government departments. His early exposure to family provision matters at Church & Grace in Sydney laid the foundation for his current work in contested probate and estate litigation, where he acts for both plaintiffs and estates.

Wai Kaey Soon, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Wai Kaey was admitted as a solicitor in 2010 and called to the Bar in 2014. His practice encompasses advising and appearing in contract and commercial disputes, insolvency and bankruptcy, complex corporations litigation and insurance law disputes. Wai Kaey has represented individuals, banks, insurance companies and multi-national corporations in a broad range of jurisdictions across Australia, including in New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria. Prior to being called to the Bar, Wai Kaey gained experience at several large law firms and governmental statutory bodies, including Clayton Utz, Baker & McKenzie and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Maja Cvjetanovic, Barrister, 9 Selborne Chambers
Maja was called to the Bar in 2026, after 10 years of practice in commercial litigation. Her practice at the Bar includes commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, insolvency and restructuring, regulatory actions, professional indemnity, insurance, and administrative law matters. Prior to being called to the Bar, Maja was a Senior Associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, where she acted in large scale commercial proceedings. Before joining Quinn Emanuel, Maja worked in litigation firms in Brisbane and was Associate to the Honourable Justice Peter Murphy in the Appeal Division of the Family Court of Australia. Maja is a sessional academic at the University of Technology Sydney. Maja holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland and a Master of Laws (First Class Honours equivalent) from the University of Melbourne. She is admitted to practise in Australia and is also admitted to the State Bar of New York.