What are you looking for from CPD? Updates? Insights? Subject matter experts sharing wisdoms? Look no further. From an examination of the new Victims of Crime legislation and workers compensation update to an exploration of personal injury class actions, public and product liability claims and damages, plus bespoke presentations for personal injury lawyers on ethics, professional skills and practice management. 243V14

Presenters

Richard Johnson, Principal, McCabes
Richard has practised solely in insurance law for over 15 years and has been integral to the growth of the Melbourne general liability practice at McCabes. With specialities in personal injury, workers liability and property damage, Richard regularly provides advice to insurers relating to complex indemnity issues and through this work is widely regarded for his exceptional defence and negotiation skills in highly technical matters. He has a special interest in Sports related injury claims and is a committee member of the Law Institute of Victoria Sports Law Committee.


Ms. Janine McIlwraith, Principal, Margalit Lawyers
Before commencing her career in law, Janine worked as a health professional in public and private hospitals. Since commencing her career in law Janine has worked almost exclusively in the health and medical law arena. Janine has worked for both large and small firms. She has co-authored two prominent medical law texts, co-authored the National Disability Insurance Scheme Handbook and has written and edited a number of chapters for Halsbury’s Laws of Australia. Janine has taught Medical Law and Public Health Law at the University of Western Sydney and also taught Health Law to Masters and JD students at Monash University.


Miguel Belmar Salas, Barrister, Green’s List
Since coming to the Bar in 2002, Miguel Belmar has developed a practice in all aspects of land use law including: Town planning; Local government; Compulsory acquisition; Planning scheme amendments; Prosecutions/enforcement; and Environment protection. Miguel has appeared for, and advised local councils, water authorities, objectors and proponents. He also writes the blog http://townplanningbarrister.wordpress.com that provides case summaries and commentary on land development matters decided by VCAT and the courts. Miguel is also experienced in conducting matters involving contractual disputes both in a commercial and workplace context. This has included representing clients appearing before disciplinary tribunals. He is also has significant experience in conducting common law proceedings arising from transport and workplace accidents. He is a member of the Victorian Football Federation Tribunal that hears and determines matters involving infringements of the rules of soccer. Miguel is also a member of the Victorian Bar Student Engagement Committee as well as the Bar's Equality & Diversity Committee. In 2010 he became a nationally accredited mediator and he conducts mediations in his chosen fields of practice.


Dipal Prasad, Director, Law in Check
Dipal is committing to working closely with, and being the voice for, individuals and businesses who have been charged unreasonable legal costs by a law practice. Reducing costs liability for such individuals and businesses is her priority. Dipal is also committed to educating law practices to comply with all their obligations so they avoid having their fees challenged by their clients. Dipal completed her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2012. She obtained a Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of London in 2020, with academic leadership from University College London and Queen Mary University of London. She is currently completing her MBA from the University of New South Wales. Having worked in building and construction, personal injury, insurance, motor vehicle accident, strata and property law prior to establishing herself in legal costing, Dipal’s litigation knowledge is broad and extensive. Dipal has a strong interest in every facet of legal costing with experience in costs disputes arising from the full spectrum of litigation in Family Court, Federal Court, High Court, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Victorian jurisdictions. As part of this interest, Dipal presents lectures on legal costing to law firms and legal organisations and contributes to legal costing academia through writing articles for the ‘Precedent’ journal, and articles for the Blackstone Brief and Australian Lawyer Alliance publications. Dipal is also a Court Appointed Costs Assessor (Supreme Court of Queensland).


Ms. Michel Margalit, Managing Principal, Margalit Lawyers
Michel is the Managing Principal of Margalit Injury Lawyers. She has been recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria as an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, and a second Master of Applied Laws (Wills and Estates) from the College of Law. Michel was recognised by the Doyle’s Guide in both 2021, 2022 and 2023 rankings of Victoria’s Best Lawyers. Michel sits on the Australian Lawyers Alliance Committee and is the Victorian Director. She practices in class actions, TAC, WorkCover, public liability and common law claims including those to recover compensation for victims of violent assault and sexual assault.


Mr. Joshua Reimer, Owner and Managing Director, Johnstone & Reimer
Joshua has more than a decade of experience working in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) jurisdiction. He is Managing Director of Johnstone and Reimer Lawyers, which handles more than 20% of Victoria’s VOCAT matters. He has appeared in hundreds of Hearings and Directions Hearings before the Tribunal over the years, and has handled numerous complex and high profile VOCAT matters. He has also run a number of successful appeals of VOCAT decisions in VCAT. Joshua began his legal career in the United States, working in San Francisco for a plaintiff firm where he gained experience in personal injuries, employment, and small business litigation, and was also involved with national class action lawsuits. Joshua has also previously owned and operated his own retail business in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, providing him with invaluable real life experience which he brings to his practice of law. Since co-founding Johnstone and Reimer Lawyers more than 8 years ago, Joshua has grown the practice to more than 45 staff across Family Law, Wills & Estates, Personal Injuries, Property, and VOCAT teams. Joshua most enjoys mentoring and training junior lawyers and support staff on the team, to ensure the firm is able to provide a consistent, high level of service and legal skills to clients. When not at the office Joshua enjoys spending time with his wife and young family. He follows Essendon in the Australian Football League and Vancouver in the National Hockey League (a throwback to his growing up days in Canada!). He is an active member of his local Lilydale Rats Inline Hockey Club, where he is able to pretend he is still up to playing hockey, with mixed success.


Ms. Emily, Senior Associate & Practice Leader, Margalit Lawyers
Emily is experienced across a broad range of personal injury matters including WorkCover, TAC, public liability and abuse. Emily now practises in class actions and is currently working on two class actions against the Australian Football League. Emily uses her broad ranging litigation experience to drive large and complex matters. Emily is also the practice leader at Margalit Lawyers’ Prahran office. She is a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Women Lawyers.


Jane Campbell, Principal, Aeran Pty Ltd
Jane is a financial adviser (and former lawyer) who specialises in personal injury advice. Most of her clients have suffered very serious injuries and lack financial capacity. She has worked in the area of personal injury compensation since she was studying law/commerce at Uni more than 30 years ago. Jane is the Principal of Aeran Pty Ltd, an independent financial advice practice that is focused on the best interests of clients, not biased or compromised by conflicts of interest. Aeran was founded in order to ensure a client-first approach to advice, investments and service for vulnerable people. The business now has 21 staff and is steadily growing. Jane is a Certified Financial Planner and maintains her qualifications as a lawyer. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two sons.


Nadia Grech, Special Counsel, Maurice Blackburn
Nadia Grech is a Workplace Injuries Special Counsel based at Maurice Blackburn’s Melbourne office. Nadia joined Maurice Blackburn in February 2021 after working in personal injuries law for more than a decade. Nadia is a LIV Accredited Specialist who prides herself on being friendly and hard-working. She was also a former chiropractor for many years so has a great understanding of musculoskeletal injuries. Nadia also speaks Italian.