Day one: Tips and Tricks Room

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Tips and Tricks Room, Wednesday 13 March 2024

Binding Financial Agreements: What you and your clients need to know

1:00pm, Wednesday 13 March 2024  |  1 CPD point in core area 3

An interactive session with two senior family lawyers aimed at educating lawyers outside of family law practise on the basics around Binding Financial Agreements including what they are, how they work, who should get one and how a BFA may help your clients protect their assets.  We will also touch on processes that may assist your clients to have ‘the hard conversation’ with their partner around firstly having a BFA and then negotiating its contents. We will keep this interesting and pepper our session with some good old fashioned war stories.

Powerpoint slides

Averil Foster, Partner, Foster Johnson Family and Collaborative Lawyers

Averil started her legal career in Melbourne in the mid 2000’s as an Associate in what was then the Federal Magistrates Court. She has worked at a number of well known and respected private firms in the years between then and now, and is one of the owners of Foster Johnson Family and Collaborative Lawyers. Averil’s skill set is founded upon her can-do attitude, ability to engage with people from all walks of life and her pragmatic and client-focussed approach to conflict resolution. Averil’s passion is to help family law clients resolve their matters. Averil co-chairs the Family Law Committee with Kasey. 

Kasey Fox, Director, Farrar Gesini Dunn

Chair of the ACT Law Society Family Law Committee, Kasey Fox has worked exclusively in family law for the whole of her career and has been a director of Farrar Gesini Dunn for more than 10 years. Specialising in complex financial cases and agreements, as well as multifaceted children's matters, Kasey has extensive experience in both litigation and out-of-court solutions. Kasey often recommends Binding Financial Agreements (also known as pre-nups) to her clients as a means of asset protection and avoiding future litigation.

Mastering Communication: Strategies for Complaint Mitigation

2:10pm, Wednesday 13 March 2024  |  1 CPD points in core area 3

Join a panel led by Rob Reis, Professional Standards Manager at the ACT Law Society for an insightful session on effective communication skills. Explore practical strategies to enhance communication and minimise the risk of complaints. Through real case studies, uncover the importance of clear communication in avoiding common pitfalls. This session offers a valuable opportunity to refine your communication toolkit and foster professional growth.

 

Rob Reis, Professional Standards Manager, ACT Law Society

Rob has responsibility for Chapter 4 investigations into allegations of misconduct by practitioners including conflicts of interest, breach of confidentiality and trust account misappropriation and defalcation. Rob has been in this role since the commencement of the Legal Profession Act in 2006, and prior to that was in private practice from 1985. In addition to his statutory role Rob also presents risk management and trust account seminars. He is also a sessional lecturer at the University of Canberra and a tutor in Ethics for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University.

Sally McGuinness, Co-founder, Robinson & McGuiness Family Law

Sally is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Recognised for six consecutive years as a leader in the ACT family law market in the Doyle’s Guide, she excels in complex property matters, including financial agreements and third party disputes. She also has expertise in parenting matters, child support, and international cases, using her negotiation skills in both litigation and in alternative dispute processes including collaborative law. She fosters warm, professional relationships, empowering clients to make informed decisions. Sally has been active in professional associations within the ACT for 15 years and has been a member of the Professional Conduct Committee of the ACT Law Society since 2018. Sally is committed to delivering exceptional service and mentoring and supporting early-career lawyers.

Stuart Bryson, Associate, Moray & Agnew

Stuart recently concluded a two-year term as chair of the New Lawyers Committee. Stuart is a tutor of Lawyers, Justice and Ethics at the Australian National University and practices in civil litigation including professional negligence claims, insurance, credit and consumer law, and pro bono. Stuart provides pro bono assistance to the ACAT as a duty lawyer with CARE Consumer Law and assists Canberra Community Law in disability discrimination matters. Stuart is an adventurous sailor having completed two Sydney to Hobart races and is a board member for the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.

Leah Hovenden, Head of Government, Business Development, Maddocks

Leah Hovenden is a Business Development Professional with nearly two decades of experience in the professional services industry, with a particular focus on the legal sector spanning over 15 years. Throughout her career, Leah has remained steadfast in her commitment to delivering exceptional client service and fostering enduring client relationships. In her current role as the Head of Government Business Development at Maddocks, Leah brings a wealth of expertise in account strategy and planning, as well as proficiency in account management, client engagement, and relationship development. Her skill set extends to pipeline and pursuit management, industry engagement, thought leadership and brand positioning. Before joining Maddocks, Leah held several positions within prominent law firms in Canberra.

Dispute Resolution - Tips and Tricks

3:30pm, Wednesday 13 March 2024  |  1 CPD point in core area 3

Join members of our Dispute Resolution committee for insightful tips and tricks. Learn practical strategies and expert insights for effective conflict resolution. Explore negotiation, mediation and more with seasoned professionals. No matter your area of practice, this panel offers valuable tools to enhance your practice.

New Powers for the Fair Work Commission: Commercial Contracts in Play

Richard Calver

Richard Calver has had over 40 years broad experience in law, having previously conducted his own legal practice in the state of Victoria, Australia, taught law at the Faculty of Law Monash University, the RMIT University and the University of Canberra as well as having had roles in government and industry.  He has had experience as a director of not for profit organisations as well as private and public companies. Richard is now practicing in employment and contract law and is conducting his sole practice from Canberra. He can assist with contractual, unfair dismissal, and harassment issues which can make life miserable. Richard is now a sole practitioner practicing in employment and contract law. 

Graeme Blank, Barrister, Blackburn Chambers

Graeme practises predominantly in the areas of succession and guardianship, commercial/equity, insolvency, and family law. He has been recognised by Doyles Guide as a leading junior counsel in those areas since 2016.  He regularly appears in State Supreme and Federal Courts. Graeme is also a nationally accredited mediator and conducts mediations in the areas of estates and family provision, commercial / corporate, family law and personal injury disputes. Graeme was also a member of the ANU Law School faculty for 20 years teaching in the GDLP and in Masters courses on advocacy, family law and insolvency law. He is now a sessional lecturer with the College of Law.

Drew Buckley, Senior Associate, Minter Ellison

Drew Buckley is a Senior Associate in MinterEllison’s Dispute Resolution team.  He advises and represents a broad range of government and private sector clients in commercial disputes and litigation. Drew has extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution processes, including negotiations, mediations, expert determinations, and neutral evaluations.  He understands the value of these processes and how to use them to achieve pragmatic, timely and cost-effective resolutions.

Principal, Claire Naidu & Co

Claire Naidu is a mediator, arbitrator, lawyer, conflict management coach and collaboration coach. She graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). She also completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Master of Laws (LLM). Claire is admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and is registered in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory and the High Court of Australia. Claire is accredited as a Family Law Specialist, a nationally recognised Mediator, and Arbitrator. She is also an Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) and is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) registered with the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department. Trained in reconciliation and resolution, Claire brings her training and decades of experience and her reflective approach to relationship transitions

Debra Parker, Founding Director, Parker Coles Curtis

Debra Parker is accredited in both family law and dispute resolution. With a decade as Registrar of the Family Law Courts, she brings extensive expertise. Debra's practical approach, influenced by her international experiences and professional background, simplifies family law matters. Specialising in complex family issues and contested relocations, she provides tailored solutions. As an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, arbitrator, and collaborative divorce lawyer, she prioritises her clients' interests. Debra's membership in the International Academy of Family Lawyers underscores her dedication to providing exceptional legal support and advocacy.

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