What are you looking for from CPD? Updates? Insights? Subject matter experts sharing wisdom? Look no further. Hear about the latest in workers compensation and abuse law, claims involving multiple injuries at work and obtain guidance on assessing the merits of a medical negligence compensation claim plus bespoke presentations for personal injury lawyers on ethics, professional skills and practice management. 

Presenters

Mr. Asanka Gunasekera, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Asanka is a Barrister at Francis Burt Chambers and specialises in personal injury law. Since 2015 Asanka has appeared in matters relating to historical child sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation injury, occupiers’ liability, public liability and fatal accidents. Between 2009-2015 Asanka was the principal of Personal Injury Law Services which represented numerous stakeholders in personal injury claims. Asanka is also experienced in employment and OH&S law having been a sessional lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety (Industrial Relations) at Curtin University and has appeared in the Fair Work Tribunal. Asanka was admitted to practice in 2009 following completion of a 10 year “Managing Clerkship” under the Legal Practitioners Act 1893. Asanka is also experienced in Not-For-Profit Governance having been Chairperson of the WA AIDS Council (Inc) for six years and Secretary of the WA Bar Association (Inc) for three years. Asanka is also a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and serves on its Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Committee. In November 2023 Asanka was appointed a legal member of the Legal Services and Complaints Committee by the Legal Practice Board of WA for a two year term commencing 1 February 2024.


Ms. Rebecca Sorgiovanni, Partner, Soul Legal
Rebecca is a co-director at Soul Legal which firm had its inception in 2018. Prior to that she spent 10 years as Principal at Sorgiovanni Legal. Rebecca has worked for both Plaintiff and Defendant firms in Personal Injuries and Insurance law, since being admitted in 1998. Rebecca has previously been involved in the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association, WA Branch (now known as the Australian Lawyers Alliance) as head of the Education Committee and as Branch Secretary arranging CPD events, lobbying and assisting in arranging State Conferences. Rebecca is a registered family law mediator and a believer in alternative dispute resolution. At Soul Legal Rebecca and Kevin aim to combine strong litigation skills with a client focused approach, preferring cost effective holistic solutions where possible.


Mr. John-Paul Wilson, Principal, Gilchrist Connell
John-Paul has more than 30 years’ experience in insurance litigation and advice, acting for insurers, insured and self-insured. He is an authority in WA workers’ compensation and employers’ liability and acts in the defence of public liability, CTP, property damage (first party and liability), motor vehicle property, industrial disease and professional indemnity claims. He has advised and represented insurers and insured in complex indemnity disputes. He co-authored the ‘Workers Compensation – Western Australia’ chapter of Halsbury’s Laws of Australia. John-Paul is an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Insurance Law Association. In 2019 he was awarded the Lexology Client Choice Award for Insurance.


Mr Roger Sands, Barrister, Arundel Chambers
Roger commenced his legal practice as a general practitioner, gaining experience in many areas of the law. He developed a speciality in personal injury, insurance, compensation and litigation. Roger was a founding partner of law firm Marks and Sands and subsequently he was the managing partner and consultant for the national law firm Sparke Helmore in their Perth Office. Roger recently set up his own barristers chambers, known as Arundel Chambers, practicing in personal injury, insurance, compensation and litigation. Roger was acknowledged in 2024 Best Lawyers for the category of Personal Injury Litigation Western Australia.


Mr Neil Morrissey, Barrister, Albert Wolff Chambers
Growing up on a remote pastoral property, Neil broke family tradition by choosing a career in the legal profession. Neil's practice is predominantly in the area of civil litigation with a focus on personal injuries cases. Prior to joining the independent bar he was a solicitor at Bradford & Co. In 2013 Neil completed a Master of Laws at the University of Western Australia with his primary research area being negligence liability. He has a special interest in trial and appellate advocacy and has appeared on behalf of clients in most courts. Neil is a LexisNexis Author co-authoring Practical Guidance for the Western Australian Supreme and District Courts. Neil's notable cases include New South Wales v DC [2017] HCA 22 (led) (abuse of minors), Engine Protection Equipment Pty Ltd v Miller [2018] WASCA 55 (workers' compensation), Cullen v Woodside Energy Pty Ltd [2021] WADC 56 (workers' compensation), Gentle v Wright [2021] WADC 63 (landlord and tenant), Jenner v Mundrabilla Roadhouse Pty Ltd [2021] WADC 59 (occupiers' liability), RLA Morgans v Vrebac [2022] WADC 86 (workers' compensation/statutory construction), Delgado v Bevchain Pty Limited [2022] WADC 98 (discovery) and Praetz v Sodexo Australia Pty Ltd [2023] WADC 48 (pleadings). Neil is a member of the RSPCA's pro bono legal panel and is the current Western Australian State President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance. Outside of work Neil is a qualified aerial mustering pilot and has spent time mustering in the East Kimberley region and in the Northern Territory.


Dr. Rob Guthrie, Adjunct Professor at School of Business Law, Curtin University
Rob Guthrie was admitted to practice in 1982 and worked in private practice for about 10 years and continued to practice whilst an academic at Curtin University for 20 years. He practiced, researched and lectured in employment issues and in particular workers compensation matters. He was appointed an Assessor of Criminal Injuries Compensation in 2010 and retired from that position in 2023. He is currently on the Board of the Aboriginal Family Legal Service and is assisting various Community Legal Centres with CIC claims. He is also a trades assistant in his son's carpentry and landscape business a job for which he has no qualifications.


Ms. Maria Saraceni, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Maria Saraceni is a barrister practising in regulatory and compliance law - particularly in workplace relations; employment-related matters and occupational safety and health. She is also an active non-executive director an accomplished public speaker and an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University.


Dr. Neil Ozanne, Consultant Occupational Physician,
Dr Ozanne is a Consultant Occupational Physician (Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine – Royal Australasian College of Physicians), and a WorkCover WA Approved Medical Specialist for permanent impairment assessment. He combines his specialist Occupational Physician experience with his background of over 25 years specialist General Practice experience to provide a comprehensive, holistic, biopsychosocial approach to undertake Independent Medical Assessments including Permanent Impairment Assessments.


Mr Robert McCabe, Barrister, Albert Wolff Chambers
Robert McCabe was admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2008 and joined the Bar in 2013. Robert's practice has been predominantly in personal injury litigation. Robert has represented individuals and employers in various Courts and Tribunals including Work Cover WA, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the District Court and the Western Australian Court of Appeal.