Meet Our Authors

  1. Andrew Christopher

    Andrew Christopher

    Partner, Webb Henderson

    Andrew Christopher

    Andrew Christopher

    Partner, Webb Henderson

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Andrew has practised as a competition, consumer & regulatory lawyer and litigator for almost 25 years.

    Throughout his career Andrew has acted for a wide range of clients in diverse industries Andrew has also represented the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other State and Commonwealth agencies and departments in some of their most important assignments.

  2. Ashleigh Cole

    Ashleigh Cole

    Counsel, White & Case

    Ashleigh Cole

    Ashleigh Cole

    Counsel, White & Case

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Ashleigh is a Counsel in White & Case’s Global Commercial Litigation Practice. 

    Ashleigh advises on substantial construction disputes, with particular expertise in the infrastructure, energy and resources sectors. 

    Ashleigh has over 10 years’ experience in top-tier construction practices in Melbourne and London. Her broad practice includes assisting with contract administration and claims development, mediation, adjudication, litigation and domestic and international arbitration.

    Ashleigh has extensive in-house experience, including secondments with INPEX, Built and the National Broadband Network. 

    Speaking Engagements
    Ashleigh lectures in ‘Avoid and Manage Construction Disputes’ in the Master of Construction at the University of Melbourne. 

  3. Leanne Dorricott

    Leanne Dorricott

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Employment. Former Senior Associate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

    Leanne Dorricott

    Leanne Dorricott

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Employment. Former Senior Associate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Leanne is a Senior Associate in the Corrs Workplace Relations Group. She specialises in workplace relations law, including: Managing employees, including dismissals, injured employees and disciplinary and performance issues, Compliance with minimum standards under the Fair Work Act, including modern awards and the National Employment Standards, Strategic advice on workplace change, Drafting employment agreements and policy and procedure manuals.

    In employment litigation, Leanne has advised and represented clients in respect of a wide range of disputes including dismissals, discrimination claims, breach of contract and enterprise agreement claims, industrial action, right of entry and workplace health and safety.

  4. Joanne Emerson-Taqi

    Joanne Emerson-Taqi

    Partner, White & Case

    Joanne Emerson-Taqi

    Joanne Emerson-Taqi

    Partner, White & Case

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Joanne is a Partner in White & Case’s Global Project Development and Finance practice and based in Sydney. 

    Joanne is a project development lawyer with over 25 years of experience advising on a wide range of construction and project agreements in the infrastructure, utilities and real estate sectors. She advises on all types of developments, including commercial, industrial, domestic, and public-private partnerships and a wide range of development contracts, including the FIDIC suite of agreements and the Australian Standards. 

    Joanne regularly advises and negotiates complex supply and procurement documents with contractors, suppliers and service providers (including OEMs) and operators in the mining, renewable (including power transmission and offshore wind sectors), and infrastructure (including water, waste, digital and social) sectors.  She also advises on project strategy and structuring, tendering, bid evaluation and bidder negotiation for government and private sector lenders and sponsors. 
     
    Joanne has been a named individual in Chambers and Legal 500 independent legal directories.

    Memberships
    IPFA 
    Law Society (NSW)

    Speaking Engagements
    Delivering Water Infrastructure Projects – opportunities and learnings – IPFA – Thursday 21st March 2024 

  5. Anthony Forsyth

    Anthony Forsyth

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Employment. Consultant, formerly at Corrs Chambers Westgarth

    Anthony Forsyth

    Anthony Forsyth

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Employment. Consultant, formerly at Corrs Chambers Westgarth

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Anthony has been a Consultant in the Melbourne Workplace Relations Group at Corrs since 2005. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Law & Taxation at Monash University. Anthony's past legal experience includes working as in-house counsel at the Transport Workers' Union, as a policy adviser to a federal politician, and as a lecturer in the law schools at the University of Melbourne and Australian National University. He has published widely on Australian employment and labour law, particularly in the areas of collective bargaining, workplace dispute resolution and comparative labour relations.

  6. Paul Edward Freed

    Paul Edward Freed

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Commercial. Formerly Proprietor, Simpson Freed Lawyers

    Paul Edward Freed

    Paul Edward Freed

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Commercial. Formerly Proprietor, Simpson Freed Lawyers

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Paul was admitted as a solicitor in March 1970 and has been practising for over 40 years. Paul was accredited by the NSW Law Society as a business law specialist in 1993 and has continued with that specialty practice for 17 years.

    Paul participated for 8 years as a member of the Business Law Accreditation Committee of the Law Society which conducts the assessments and examinations for accreditation of candidates for specialisation. He also served for a number of years as a committee member on each of the Property Law Committee and the Business Law Committee of the NSW Law Society.

  7. Lisa Gaddie

    Lisa Gaddie

    Partner, Kliger Partners

    Lisa Gaddie

    Lisa Gaddie

    Partner, Kliger Partners

    Modules:

    Biography:

    With over 13 years of experience, Lisa appreciates the commercial drivers of property transactions, and has developed a reputation for being strategic and focused on delivering solutions for clients that are practical and commercially focused.

    Prior to joining Kliger Partners, Lisa was a partner in the real estate area of Lander & Rogers.

    Lisa is recognised in the 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 editions of Best Lawyers (Australia) for her expertise in Real Property law.

    Lisa regularly gives presentations to the property industry and has written practice papers for the College of Law.

  8. Rob Hirst

    Rob Hirst

    Practical Guidance Authors: External Practitioner, Rob Hirst

    Rob Hirst

    Rob Hirst

    Practical Guidance Authors: External Practitioner, Rob Hirst

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Rob is a dispute resolution lawyer specialising in competition law, consumer law and class actions. He has worked on a number of large litigious matters for corporate, government and not-for-profit clients, advised on the competition and consumer law aspects of commercial transactions, and assisted clients to respond to investigations by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other regulatory agencies.

  9. Gowri Kangeson

    Gowri Kangeson

    Partner, DLA Piper

    Gowri Kangeson

    Gowri Kangeson

    Partner, DLA Piper

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Gowri is a tri-qualified (UK, Malaysia and Australia) investigations, arbitration and commercial litigation lawyer. Gowri's investigations and inquiries work has a particular focus on procurement, fraud, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, competition and cyber security.

    Gowri has extensive experience in developing inquiries/ investigation and crisis management strategies, which involve accounting for operational, reputational and financial considerations, and is a specialist in commercial litigation and investigations, focusing on white-collar crime, fraud and corruption investigations and related litigation. Considered by her clients as a ‘safe pair of hands’. Gowri has handled large scale disputes and investigations involving public listed entities, State Governments, statutory corporations, State-owned entities and unions.

    She is commercially focused and understands not only what the law or practice requires, but also the best approach in managing inquiries, advocating positions, negotiating with regulators, and resolving associated issues. She has deep experience in navigating complex intersecting regimes and advising on areas of exposure.

    'Gowri Kangeson is a dedicated partner with impeccable strategic thinking. She puts in the time and effort to obtain results, and her advocacy and willingness to support the client is unquestionable.'
    - Legal 500 (2025) – White-Collar Crime Testimonial

    Awards and Recognition
    Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 - Band 2 : Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

    Memberships
    Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
    Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Victoria
    Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaysia
    Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

    Speaking Engagements
    Asia in Victoria Forum | Communities Shaping our Future in the Region | Asia Society

  10. Sar Katdare

    Sar Katdare

    Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery

    Sar Katdare

    Sar Katdare

    Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Sar is the Practice Group Head for Competition Law at Johnson Winter Slattery.  He has over 25 years’ experience in advising clients on all aspects of competition and consumer law and is known for acting on complex mergers, cartels, ACCC investigations and access to infrastructure issues.  He is regularly ranked as a leading lawyer in international and national directories including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Doyle’s Guide, Who’s Who Legal and Client Choice.

    Sar has acted on transformative deals including illion/Experian, Flinders/Aurizon, Nutrien/Ruralco, Seven West/Bauer, Qantas/Emirates and Yahoo/Microsoft.

    He has also been involved in landmark cases including the first-ever criminal cartel where individuals were sentenced to jail (Vina Money) and the laundry detergent cartel (Unilever) and has represented Qantas and Yahoo! in ACCC prosecutions.

    He is an expert in access to infrastructure issues in the rail, port and gas sector and is trusted advisor to the gas industry in respect of the Code of Conduct and government policy. Sar is also a leading FMCG specialist.

    Awards and Recognition
    Client Choice Award x 2
    Chambers
    Legal 500
    Best Lawyers
    Doyle’s Guide
    Who’s Who Legal

    Memberships
    Law Council of Australia
    International Bar Association

    Speaking Engagements
    Law Ninjas 2025
    Agribusiness Law Conference 2024

  11. Peter Kelso

    Peter Kelso

    Consultant, Peter Kelso Consultant

    Peter Kelso

    Peter Kelso

    Consultant, Peter Kelso Consultant

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Peter Kelso is an accredited specialist in business law under the Specialist Accreditation Scheme administered by the Law Society of NSW and has practised extensively in the area of commercial law, with an emphasis on a debt recovery and insolvency. He was the author of a manual on "Debt Recovery NSW" published by Butterworths (since discontinued), is the author of the chapter on "Receivers" in Halsbury's Laws of Australia, and is also the author of the chapters on "Winding up", "Receivers and Controllers" and "Voluntary Administration" in the Australian Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents.

    Peter is also an author for LexisNexis Practical Guidance. Peter has lectured extensively in the areas of debt recovery and insolvency, and continues to present an annual seminar on debt recovery practice.

  12. Andrew Lachlan McSpedden

    Andrew Lachlan McSpedden

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Personal Injury New South Wales. Barrister, Sir Owen Dixon Chambers

    Andrew Lachlan McSpedden

    Andrew Lachlan McSpedden

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Personal Injury New South Wales. Barrister, Sir Owen Dixon Chambers

    Biography:

    Publications and Editorial Contacts

    • Personal Injury Litigation New South Wales looseleaf service
    • Young P ed Court Forms, Precedents & Pleadings New South Wales, looseleaf service, Butterworths, Sydney, 1989 – three chapters: “Transfer, Removal and Consolidation”, “Nuisance” and “Trespass”

    Speaking Engagements

    • “Is it a Motor Accident?” CPD Seminar NSW Bar Association 15 March 2012
    • “Is there life after the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999?” Newcastle Bar CPD Conference 29 March 2003
    • “Tortious Liability for Certain Wrongful Actions Causing Psychological Harm” APLA State Conference, 16 March 2001
    • “Outcomes in Common Law Actions” LAAMS Seminar 12 October 1999
    • “Liability for Economic Loss in Tort” NSW Young Lawyers CLE Programme, 28 May 1998

    Professional Organisations & Memberships

    • NSW Bar Association
  13. Bibi Sangha

    Bibi Sangha

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Commercial. Associate Professor, College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University

    Bibi Sangha

    Bibi Sangha

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Commercial. Associate Professor, College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Bibi was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in London, and has been admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in Malaysia, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia. She appeared before the Privy Council in the last case on appeal from Malaysia. Prior to joining Flinders Law School in 1994, she was a lecturer in law at the Australian National University.

    She has done extensive work in teaching and writing in contract, commercial and corporate law as well as comparative law on miscarriages of justice (Australia, Canada and Britain). In 2007 she was commissioned to provide an expert report to the Goudge Commission of Inquiry into Pediatric Pathology in Canada.

  14. Simon Singer

    Simon Singer

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Succession. Director, David Landa Stewart

    Simon Singer

    Simon Singer

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Succession. Director, David Landa Stewart

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Simon gained wide experience at Allen, Allen & Hemsley Solicitors (now Allens Arthur Robinson) working in their Commercial Property and Planning Group for 5 years before joining David Landa Stewart in 1996. He became principal of the firm on 1 July 2002. He is now head of the Commercial Property Group and the firm's Managing Partner.

  15. Joshua Taaffe

    Joshua Taaffe

    Partner and Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, Doogue O'Brien George

    Joshua Taaffe

    Joshua Taaffe

    Partner and Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, Doogue O'Brien George

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Josh has practised exclusively in Criminal Law since beginning practice in 2006. He is now a partner at the firm Doogue O’Brien George, serving as the firm’s in-house counsel.

    Josh has specialised in representing his clients at trial. The bulk of his practice now involves defending clients who are pleading not guilty. This can mean defending clients in Magistrates’ Court hearings or running their cases in jury trials in the County Court. As an advocate, Josh has specialised in indictable crime, including violence (assaults, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries), drug matters, and sexual offences, especially rape charges.

    Josh is the vice-chair of the criminal law section executive of the Law Institute of Victoria. He is accredited as a specialist in the criminal law by the same institute. In 2014 Josh attended the National Criminal Defense College in the USA and completed their Trial Practice course.

  16. Juniper Watson

    Juniper Watson

    Partner, Piper Alderman Lawyers

    Juniper Watson

    Juniper Watson

    Partner, Piper Alderman Lawyers

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Juniper is a highly regarded projects and construction lawyer with extensive experience in leading renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Her expertise spans from offices, warehouses, and defence facilities to major roads and rail infrastructure across Australia. 

    She possesses significant proficiency in amending and negotiating various industry-standard contracts, as well as drafting bespoke terms. Juniper assists clients in managing their risks throughout the development of their projects, including tendering, delivery models, contract management and project execution. 

    Juniper provides clear and prompt legal advice that is attuned to commercial implications and proportionate to the exposures involved. She has completed a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, enhancing her expertise and specialist knowledge in construction law.

    Awards and Recognition
    Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Construction/Infrastructure Law (Adelaide, AU), since 2024 edition 
    Doyle’s Guide – Leading Front-End Construction & Infrastructure Lawyers – South Australia, since 2024 edition 
    Doyle’s Guide – Construction & Infrastructure Rising Stars – Australia, 2015 & 2021 editions 
    The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – named as Next Generation Partner for Infrastructure Projects and Construction, 2025 edition 
    The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Recommended for Energy (transactions and regulatory), since 2023 edition 
    The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Recommended for Infrastructure Projects and Construction, since 2023 edition

    Memberships
    Society of Construction Law Australia Limited 
    Former Board Member – The Defence Teaming Centre 
    Law Council of Australia – Business Law Section: Construction and Infrastructure Committee Member 
    Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring Program – Volunteer Mentor

    Speaking Engagments
    Professional Certificate in Construction Contract Management, University of South Australia 

  17. Gillian Woon

    Gillian Woon

    Special Counsel, Baker McKenzie

    Gillian Woon

    Gillian Woon

    Special Counsel, Baker McKenzie

    Biography:

    Gillian is a key senior member of Baker McKenzie's IP practice. She specialises in advising clients on brand strategy, trade mark clearances and registration and manages global trade mark portfolios on behalf of her clients. She also represents clients in trade mark opposition proceedings and advises in relation to corporate transactional due diligence projects. Gillian acts for key international clients of the firm including a global FMCG corporation which owns one of the largest brands portfolios in the world, a multinational that owns a number of well-known quick service restaurant brands, a global play and entertainment company with familiar games and entertainment brands and corporations which have portfolios of prestige and renowned cosmetics and beauty care brands.

    Speaking Engagements

    • IPSANZ National Conference 2021

    Awards & Recognition

    • Best Lawyers in Australia for Intellectual Property since 2020.

    Memberships

    • Vice-President, Trans-Tasman National committee of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
    • Member of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association NSW committee

    Professional Organisations

    • Baker McKenzie

    Professional Contact

    Mobile: +61 2 8922 5486,  +61 466 752 772

    Email: gillian.woon@bakermckenzie.com

  18. Craig Yeung

    Craig Yeung

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Corporations. Formerly Partner, Piper Alderman

    Craig Yeung

    Craig Yeung

    Former contributor to Practical Guidance Corporations. Formerly Partner, Piper Alderman

    Modules:

    Biography:

    Craig is a corporate law specialist and has extensive experience in advising on corporate and securities law, as well as general commercial matters. Craig has significant experience in corporate advisory, including advising on directors duties, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions for private, public and ASX listed companies in a variety of industries, including mining and resources, technology and financial services.

    In addition, Craig has advised many private and public companies in relation to their capital raising needs, from angel or venture capital funding for early stage entrepreneurs and start-up companies, to IPOs for companies in biotechnology, resources and information technology.

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