Day two: Government Law Room

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Government Law Room

Navigating the Shift: Transitioning between Government and Private Sector Roles

1pm, Thursday 14 March 2024  |  1 CPD point in core area 3

Explore the transition between government and private sector roles in this insightful panel discussion. Our panelists will share experiences, challenges, and successes, offering practical insights for those contemplating a move. From understanding sector cultures to leveraging transferable skills, learn the essentials for a successful transition. Gain valuable guidance from our esteemed panelists

Sarah Byrne, Partner, Holding Redlich

In her nearly 35 years of practice, Sarah has moved from private practice to in-house roles for the Qld Courts and Qld public service, then to the Commonwealth public service, the Australian Government Solicitor, General Counsel for two Commonwealth Departments, BigLaw private practice, in-house with a major non-profit, legal policy in the ACT Government, back to the APS, and then after a flirtation with the Bar, several years in NewLaw forms. Much, much older, and definitely wiser, she’s now very happy to be a partner in national firm Holding Redlich, still working closely with government, practising in all aspects of administrative law and ready to share how to find the workplace that’s best for you.

Lyndal Buik, Principal Legal Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Lyndal is an experienced, well-known and well-respected ‘generalist’ Commonwealth government lawyer with a depth of experience in multiple areas of law (including commercial, statutory advisings, FOI and privacy). She has practiced Commonwealth government law in Canberra for over 20 years, and managed teams of lawyers in a number of roles across different Departments. Lyndal transitioned to an inhouse government position in 2012 after 10 years in private practice and has a wealth of experience in, and perspectives about, both sectors.

Carla Stocks, Director of Legal Services, Women's Legal Centre

Carla Stocks has recently made the transition from government to the Women's Legal Centre, a Canberra community legal centre. Carla has two decades of diverse experience across government and private practice. Graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the Australia National University, she further honed her skills with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Masters in Applied Family Law and Graduate Certificate in Management. Carla's journey includes roles in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, Department of Health and Aged Care, private practice, and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, demonstrating her commitment to social justice. Her leadership and strategic insight, coupled with a deep respect for legal advocacy, ensure the delivery of exceptional services wherever her expertise is applied.

Daniel Tracey, Assistant Secretary and Senior Executive Lawyer, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Dan leads a branch of around 20 lawyers providing legal policy advice to Government on key elements of the workplace relations framework, including minimum employment standards, casuals, labour hire, and the modern award system. Before joining DEWR, Dan was an employment and integrity practitioner in the Agriculture and Climate Change portfolios.Before joining the Australian Public Service, Dan was a senior associate in the Canberra Employment team at Ashurst, having practised at Clayton Utz and several smaller firms prior.
Dan has a Master of Labour Law and Relations from Sydney Law School, and this year will submit his PhD on the impact of the Federal Court’s class action jurisdiction on employees and the recovery of unpaid wages.

Gregory Burn, Deputy Public Trustee and Guardian of the ACT

Gregory Burn is a Deputy Public Trustee and Guardian of the ACT, and Senior Director of the Public Trustee and Guardian’s Wills, Deceased Estates and Trusts unit. A lawyer of over 30 years’ experience, Gregory operated a private legal practice in Sydney for over 20 years before joining the NSW Trustee and Guardian. Now at the Public Trustee and Guardian (PTG), Gregory is responsible for PTG’s administration of over 600 trusts with capital exceeding 180 million dollars, over 150 deceased estates with capital exceeding 150 million dollars and all assets restrained or forfeited to the Territory under the confiscation of criminal assets regime. Gregory is a member of the Legal Aid Review Committee, the ACT Law Society Elder Law & Succession Law Committee and the Society’s Pro Bono Assessment Panel. Gregory was the recipient of the ACT Law Society Government Law Award in 2021.

Government Lawyers and the Anti-corruption Commission

2:10pm, Thursday 14 March 2024  | 1 CPD point in core area 4

Gain insights into their challenges, strategies, and successes in upholding integrity and combating corruption. Discover how legal professionals navigate complex legal landscapes while safeguarding public trust and promoting accountability within government institutions

Powerpoint slides

 

The Hon Paul Brereton AM RFD SC, Commissioner, National Anti-Corruption Commission

Paul Brereton, a distinguished legal figure, began his career as a solicitor in New South Wales in 1982 before transitioning to the Bar in 1987 and becoming Senior Counsel in 1998. Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2005, he served primarily in the Equity Division, later becoming a Judge of Appeal. Brereton retired in 2023 to assume the role of inaugural Commissioner of the new National Anti-Corruption Commission. With a notable military career, he served in various roles, attaining the rank of Major General. Brereton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010.

Procurement and Contract Management Cybersecurity

3:30pm, Thursday 14 March 2024  |  1 CPD point in core area 2

This session will educate you on how to defend against supply chain breaches. With an emphasise on integrating 'security by design' into procurement processes and equipping lawyers to manage cybersecurity obligations effectively. Transforming the supply chain from a significant risk to a valuable asset. 

Powerpoint slides

Annie Haggar, Principal, Cyber CG

Annie Haggar is the founder and principal of Cyber GC, a law firm dedicated to aiding Australian businesses and government in cybersecurity preparedness, defense, and recovery. With a multi-award-winning background, she's been recognised as General Counsel of the Year (Australian Law Awards - Lawyers Weekly - 2021), Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year (Corporate Counsel Awards - Lawyers Weekly - 2021), and Australian In-House Counsel of the Year (Australasian Law Awards 2021). Annie brings 6 years of experience as global legal counsel for Accenture Security, and has 20+ years of expertise in technology and law, advising on global issues for corporate and government entities.

Amanda Wescombe, Special Counsel, Cyber CG

Amanda Wescombe is a corporate and commercial lawyer, specialising in cybersecurity and technology. Having worked as in-house counsel for global brands, government, and in private practice, she has seen procurement and contract management from each of the sales and procurement side, across the spectrum of low-to-high risk and tiny-to-mega deal.

 

 

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