All times are in Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
Monday 7 August, 2023
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | Opening Keynote | Maintaining a Strong Focus on Enforcing the Law with ASIC Deputy Chair, Sarah Court
Central to ASIC’s mission to support a fair, strong and efficient financial system for all Australians is enforcement of the law. In 2023, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) made a significant shift in how it approaches this task by signalling to the community and other stakeholders its enforcement priorities for the coming year. Join ASIC Deputy Chair, Sarah Court for an in-depth conversation about ASIC’s 2023 Enforcement Priorities and what’s already been achieved.
Sarah Court
ASIC Deputy Chair
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM | Partner Keynote | Risk, Responsibility and Reputation – Critical Lessons for GCs from Recent High Profile Proceedings
When it comes to disclosure and oversight, the spotlight on GCs has never been greater. ASIC’s prosecution of directors and officers of The Star Entertainment Group should not be viewed as a one off, and is indicative of their approach towards enforcing breaches of directors’ and officers’ duties, including those of GCs. This session unpacks the critical governance lessons for GCs in the wake of these and other proceedings and the steps that need to be taken to mitigate future risk.
Sandy Mak, Head of Corporate - Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Supported by: Corrs
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | Outlook Panel | The Path Ahead: Navigating the Evolving Regulatory & Enforcement Landscape
A single change or even rumored upcoming changes in regulation can affect numerous aspects of a business, requiring them to transform their current operations and shift practices in order to comply. In a fast-paced, complex and uncertain world, the Australian legal industry continues to face a number of challenges in managing the impact of recent regulatory changes. Join this session as the esteemed panel explores the trends and priorities of the largest regulatory agencies, and offers insights into how to stay protected and out of the firing line of enforcement activities.
Nathan Hinde, Head of Legal, Compliance & Stakeholder Relations (Australia) - Points BetScott Stierli, General Counsel – Financial Services - REA Group
Merinda Timpany, Legal, Risk & Compliance Counsel - mycar Tyre & Auto
Luke Barrett, General Counsel - UniSuper
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Morning Networking Break
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | Partner Keynote | Global Landscape
Supported by: ContractPodAi
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | Strategy Panel | The Great Realignment: Structuring Your Legal Department to Thrive in an Uncertain Climate
As primary problem solvers for many corporate issues, legal departments are forced to constantly adapt to changing business priorities and deliver high-quality service more efficiently. Having the right structure for your team can help you focus on the work of greatest strategic importance, avoid becoming captive to low-value work, enable your team to work at a sustainable pace, and enhance your sense of purpose and culture. Join this session as expert panelists discuss ways to realign your legal team structure to leverage efficiencies and facilitate business growth in the current economic environment.
Michael Antaw, General Counsel - Nestle AustraliaNatalie Buck, General Counsel and Head of Policy - Screenrights
Bianca Lau, Head of Legal - Youi
Ben Farmer, Head of Legal - Arthur J. Gallagher
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM | Lunch Roundtables
Roundtable 1
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 1: Cyber Crisis Management
Roundtable 2
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 2: Amendments in Labor & Employment Laws
Roundtable 3
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 3: Mastering Emotional Intelligence & Transparent Communication
Roundtable 4
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 4: Influencing Decisions with Business & Board Buy-in
Roundtable 5
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 5: Economic Impact & Insights - Navigating Through Uncertainty
Supported by: Yarris Dazy Chain
Roundtable 6
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 6: The Big Picture - M&A Trends Expected for 2023
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM | ESG Panel | Leveling Up: Successfully Integrating ESG into your Risk Framework
ESG is multifaceted and continues to be an important priority for legal departments, so many in-house counsels are trying to find their way to shape the foundation of a successful ESG program. Effectively building ESG considerations into your strategy and risk management framework will help support better financial performance and long-term business success. Attend this session to discover the value of involving ESG into your risk appetite, learn how to influence and hold decision-makers accountable for ESG goals, and ensure your business is prepared for the challenges ahead involving ESG regulations and consumer expectations.
Aarti Raniga, Chief Legal & Risk Officer - Charter Keck CramerNick Willetts, General Counsel - iQ Renew
Louise Horrocks, Partner and Head of McR ESG - McCullough Robertson
Peta Jones, General Counsel - OSINT Combine
Supported by: McCullough
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM | Partner Keynote | Current Trends in Disputes GCs Should Know About
In this session, leading disputes lawyer, Trevor Withane will highlight the key trends in disputes in 2023 and beyond. This session is designed to give GCs and in-house counsel an insight into the key risks which their organisations need to be aware of, with some practical tips to address these risks.
Trevor Withane, Partner - Ironbridge LegalSupported by: Ironbridge Legal
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Partner Keynote | Technology Leading Legal Industry Transformation
Although legal technology is developing rapidly, is there a sufficient focus on outcomes as opposed to process? Why do lawyers so often go into reactive mode rather than proactively respond to their client’s needs?
To respond rather than react would mean asking a client what success looks like for them and what risks they are prepared to consider. If lawyers always ask these questions, they will enjoy stronger relationships and legal spend confidence because legal costs will be aligned to agreed strategic outcomes. Technology can facilitate this critical mindset and behavioural shift to achieve collaboration on strategy and transparent/accountable legal costs.
This session will explore how technology can facilitate behavioural change that will transform the legal industry.
Joanne Rees, Founder & CEO - AllyOneSupported by: AllyOne
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Networking Break
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Data Privacy & Security Panel | Don’t Be the Next Headline! Staying Ahead of the Next Data Breach & The New World of Privacy Laws
In light of the significant data breaches seen in Australia recently, it is more important now than ever before that GCs take the right steps to avoid data incidents and extra scrutiny. With breaches becoming more frequent, GCs are expected to lead the way in data governance and retention, as well as safeguarding their organisations from falling into cybersecurity traps. During this session, our expert panelists will share best practices and resources to support in house counsel to drive compliance and prepare for new amendments to privacy laws that are coming into effect.
Eli Fisher, Senior Legal Counsel - Paramount Network TenJames North, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications - Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Ivana Kovacevic, General Counsel - Formerly Aristocrat
Supported by: Corrs
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Partner Keynote | Regulatory
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Afternoon Keynote - Protecting Your Legal Headspace: Managing Through Blurred Boundaries
Shoshana Shields, Director of Legal - Google Australia and New Zealand5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Networking Drinks Reception
6:00 PM | Close of Day One
Tuesday 8 August, 2023
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | Day Two Keynote | A Conversation with ACCC Deputy Chair, Catriona Lowe
Join this keynote as Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair, Catriona Lowe shares key enforcement priorities and how this will impact organizations going into 2024. This session will spotlight issues and expectations for green claims for corporations, as well as provide insight on how to mitigate risks and avoid misleading consumers.
Catriona Lowe
ACCC Deputy Chair
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM | Partner Keynote | Employment Law
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | Leadership Panel | How Many Fires are Too Many Fires? Future Proofing Your Organization to Avoid Crisis after Crisis
As a present-day legal leader, it may feel like you are facing one crisis after another and while you have become adept to handling these situations, it’s important for GCs to take a proactive approach to prevent future crisis rather than believing their value lies in the quality of their response to the crisis. This panel will focus on strategies leaders should implement to help their teams get ahead of crisis, minimize its impact and avoid it as much as possible overall. While you can't always predict what's coming around the corner for your organisation, you will walk away from this session with tools that help leaders shift to rewarding efforts in preparing for and minimizing future crisis.
Michael Guilday, General Counsel & Head of Property - Sydney Fish MarketsKaren Healey, General Counsel and Company Secretary - Cashrewards
Anna Sutton, General Counsel - Syngenta Australia and New Zealand
Amy Barwick, General Counsel - Sharetea
1100 AM - 11:30 AM | Morning Networking Break
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | Partner Keynote | Mitigating Corporate Risks
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | Legal Operations Panel | The Uphill Battle of Change Management: Implementing Technology to Optimize the Modern-Day Legal Department
When change is the only constant, it’s impossible to predict precisely how the legal market will look in the future, but it’s clear that effective change management is essential to achieve operational efficiency. Creating a culture of change is essential and that creates the foundation for analysis, planning and implementation to facilitate the redesign of legal processes. Panelists will explore the value of combining critical change management strategies and implementing the right technology to drive legal team performance and overall business success, no matter the size of your legal department.
Ethan Doan, Head of Legal Operations and Technology - APA GroupSacha Kirk, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer - Lawcadia
Marc Nethercot, Legal Automation Manager - Nutrien Ag Solutions
Supported by: Lawcadia
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM | Lunch Roundtables
Roundtable 1
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 1: Challenges for Businesses with Global Operations
Roundtable 2
Roundtable 3
Roundtable 4
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Roundtable 4: Addressing Reputational Risk
Roundtable 5
Roundtable 6
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM | Talent Panel | Thinking Outside the Box to Recruit & Retain In-House Legal Talent
The talent war continues to plague legal departments with many organisations struggling to retain their talent, but also attract quality legal professionals. As candidate and employee expectations have shifted, organizations are being forced to identify their employee value proposition or face the risk of missing out on quality talent. Join this panel session as our experts consider the trends driving the talent war and explore creative ways to showcase your organization’s culture and recruit new talent when money isn’t the sole decision driver.
Angela Martinelli, Legal and External Relations Director ANZ - General MillsSerryn O'Regan, Executive Manager Governance & General Counsel - Evolve College
Danielle Keyes, Group General Counsel - NOVA Entertainment