Take a practical journey with the Registrar of Probate & leading experts in wills & estates in this comprehensive program that will set you up for the year. The latest cases from the Courts, updates for estate planning, the impact of superannuation, probate & trusts litigation, will be decoded for you & actionable solutions provided. In the afternoon, pick up your ethics, practice management & professional skills points with topics specifically tailored for wills & estates lawyers & practices.

Presenters

Mr. Greg Russo, Principal Solicitor, Greg Russo Law
Greg Russo has almost 30 years’ experience in succession planning, administration and litigation and is one of Victoria’s most experienced and respected succession law solicitors. With a background in pure mathematics, Greg not only understands the implications of planning decisions on future taxation, SMSF, trust and estate administration, he is also able to break down complex concepts and structures logically and explain options to clients in a way that empowers them to take positive action and ownership for their decisions. Using the knowledge and insights that he has acquired over three decades, he crafts unique solutions to complex succession problems. Greg teaches both mathematics and law, regularly presents CPD succession events to solicitors, accountants and other professionals in Victoria, Queensland, and online. Greg is an LIV Wills & Estates Accredited Specialist, a chairperson of the LIV Specialist Accreditation Education Advisory Committee, a board member of the Mount Eliza Community Bank, a member of STEP, and is recognised in Doyle’s Guide, in Victoria, as a Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Lawyer and a Leading Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Lawyer


Ms. Ingrid Braun, Barrister,
Ingrid’s practice in VCAT is in Guardianship and Administration, including the new Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (Vic), and the new Guardianship and Administration Act 2019. Ingrid has acted in a number of matters concerning donors’ capacity and declarations as to validity. She also undertakes other work in the the Human Rights list. Ingrid also appears in all other jurisdictions, notably the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Prior to being called to the Bar, Ingrid held senior positions in the State Government including Manager of Information and Privacy at the Department of Justice. She has presented on FOI at the Leo Cussen Institute and has prior experience in commerce and the visual arts. Ingrid enjoys participating in the Victorian Bar Choir and is also an accomplished artist.


Anna Hacker; Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates
Anna has been practising as a legal practitioner for almost two decades and is an accredited specialist in the area of Wills & Estates. In a career spanning both private practice and within two of Australia’s largest trustee companies, Anna now assists private clients within the Family Office of Pitcher Partners, one of Australia’s eighth largest accounting and business advisory practice, with their estate planning strategies and goals. By working with external law firms to develop and engage clients, Anna’s approach of demystifying the complexity of estate planning is highlighted by her hosting of Australian Unity’s podcast “What Happens When I Die?” as well as her role as consultant on season two of the ABC’s “Fisk”. Anna serves as a member of STEP, the Law Institute of Victoria as well as on the Macleod College School Council.


Joshua Sheppard, Barrister, Greens List Barristers
Joshua practices in trusts, equity and probate at the Victorian Bar. He was an associate to the Honourable Justice Moore of the Supreme Court of Victoria and assisted his Honour with family trusts and wills and estates matters. Prior to being called to the Bar, Joshua practised as a solicitor at Allens and the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office in litigation. He has taught constitutional law to undergraduate students at Deakin University. Joshua read with Tom Clarke and his senior mentor was Richard Knowles KC.


Simon Pitt, Barrister, Green’s List
Although he has a broad commercial trial-based practice, Simon specialises in complex litigation in the Trusts, Equity and Probate List of the Supreme Court, usually involving questions regarding deceased estates, family trusts, superannuation, the Corporations Act or testamentary capacity. Simon regularly prepares and presents papers in the areas of wills and estates; trusts, equity and probate; commercial litigation and Supreme Court practice and procedure. Simon is available to advise and appear in all State and Federal jurisdictions.


Mr. David Davis, Principal, David Davis & Associates
David is the head of David Davis & Associates, and practices in all aspects of estate and business succession planning, estate administration and estate litigation including Superannuation Complaints Tribunal, VCAT and the Supreme Court. He has contributed to the development of succession policy as state and federal levels, has led training and education intensives for professional groups including accountants, financial planners and solicitors, and presented at state and national conferences. He is past chair of the Law Institute of Victoria Elder Law Committee, a Certified Tax Adviser with the Tax Institute of Australia, and a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee at La Trobe University.


Ms Ines Kallweit, Principal Solicitor, KHQ Lawyers
Ines Kallweit leads the Wills & Estates team at KHQ Lawyers. She is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates (with the Law Institute of Victoria) and Notary Public. She is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners. Ines advises clients in all areas of estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation. Ines’ practice ranges from estate planning, the preparation of Wills and powers of attorney to complex estate administration and estate litigation. Her broad knowledge in this area and solutions-focused approach allows her to assist clients with the preparation of comprehensive estate plans and the administration of complex estates. Her estate litigation work involves both defending estates and representing individuals in resolution of disputes involving Wills, property, estate and guardianship matters. Ines’ expertise includes succession planning and asset structuring, advice in relation to and preparation of powers of attorney, appointment of medical treatment decision makers and advanced care directives. She also looks after applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, guardianship & administration matters (including VCAT appearances), will and trust disputes, family provision claims (seeking further provision from deceased estates) and resealing international & interstate grants of probate. Her expertise also includes charitable gifts & cy-prés applications, and complex estate administration (including as court appointed administrator). Ines also has a keen interest in promoting legal education. She has a Master of Teaching and is a former adjunct lecturer at the College of Law. She speaks for various professional development providers including the Law Institute of Victoria, Leo Cussen Institute and Television Education Network. Ines is a native German speaker. Ines is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading practitioners in this area of law, and has been recognised as a preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer for Victoria in Doyles Guide for seven consecutive years (2015-2022).


Hayley Hunter, Senior Associate, Suzanne Lyttleton Lawyers
Hayley practises principally in estate and succession planning, estate disputes and litigation, and elder law disputes, including guardianship and administration. She takes a particular interest in matters relating to elder abuse and misconduct by attorneys. Hayley is the vice-chair of the Law Institute of Victoria’s Elder Law Section Executive Committee, represents the LIV at Elder Abuse and Safeguarding Advisory Group convened by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, is a member of the Seniors Rights Victoria Advisory Committee and has recently been appointed as a Director of the Board of Governance of COTA Victoria.


Dan Coombes, Barrister, Castan Chambers
Dan practises in commercial litigation, insolvency, estate litigation and property disputes in the Family Law jurisdiction. He completed his law degree at Melbourne University and holds a BA and GDLP from the ANU. Prior to coming to the bar, Dan was a judge’s associate in the Supreme Court of Victoria. He also holds the ARITA Advanced Certificate in Insolvency. Dan is regularly briefed in TFM matters, statutory will applications and Superannuation disputes.


Tim Staindl, Barrister, Greens List
Tim has a broad practice across the common, commercial and administrative law. He has particular expertise in equity, trusts and probate. Prior to the Bar, Tim was Senior Lawyer of the Personal Injuries, Institutional Liability, Dust Diseases and Civil Circuit Lists at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Before this, he was Associate to the Honourable Justices McMillan and Gorton. He assisted their Honours in all types of matters within the Common Law Trial Division. Tim began his career as a solicitor at a boutique firm in Hawthorn. Tim is reading with Roslyn Kaye SC and his senior mentor is Georgina Costello KC.