Presenters

Marianne Barker, Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers West
Marianne has had extensive experience in all areas of intellectual property, trade practices, general commercial law and sports law. Her practice has encompassed appeals, trials and various types of interlocutory applications for orders including injunctions, civil search and seizure orders and contempt orders. Her clients in the trade marks area have included various owners of famous trade marks. She has also acted in copyright and design matters. Marianne has also acted in mechanical and pharmaceutical patent matters. She has also acted in allied areas such as breach of trade secrets, Crown use of IP, the IP aspects of tax appeals (R & D) and in the trade practices area she has acted in various consumer law and price fixing matters. Her sports law practice grew out of her pro-bono work for Olympic athletes and she was, for several years, the President of the Taekowondo Appeals Tribunal and was awarded the Denis Callinan prize in 2019 which recognises members of the Australian New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA) who render commendable community service in the field of sports law.) Marianne has acted in non-selection cases for athletes and coaches as well as in matters concerning member protection and more recently in safeguarding matters brought against coaches. Finally, she also practises as a Mediator. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has had various board positions on not-for-profit boards.

Nikki Dryden, Senior Lawyer, Game Legal
Nikki supports grassroots and community sport organisations to build safe, participant-centred environments. With extensive legal and governance expertise, she helps clubs strengthen governance, protect members, resolve disputes, and ensure safe, legally compliant environments for all participants. With increasing complexity across child safety, member protection, and privacy laws, Nikki helps sport administrators and Boards reduce risk and strengthen trust – from local clubs to state and territory wide structures.