Biography:

Harry practices for the most part in common law/personal injury. He has a particular interest in medical negligence and intentional torts, including police battery and institutional childhood sexual abuse claims.

Prior to being called to the bar, Harry worked for 6 years as a personal injury lawyer in NSW. He has represented health agencies and individual medical practitioners in clinical negligence matters and coronial inquests. He has extensive public liability, workers compensation and CTP experience, having managed a high-volume practice of both litigated and unlitigated claims. He has advised in relation to complex multi-party insurance disputes and appeared on behalf of plaintiffs and insurers in settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations.

Harry also has an interest in administrative/public law and has experience instructing in Supreme Court judicial review applications.

Memberships

NSW Bar Association

Professional Organisation

https://7gbc.com.au/barrister/harry-black/

Professional Contact

hblack@7gbc.com.au

Modules:

• Commercial

Biography:

Simon practises in Piper Alderman's Corporate division. He utilises his drafting skills on a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions for major Australian corporations, Australian and international private clients and SMEs.

Simon has been involved in many business and share sale and acquisition projects, as well as general corporate and commercial advisory work, having drafted and negotiated a broad range of commercial documentation including Government funding agreements, supply contracts, commercial collaboration and alliance agreements, service agreements and licensing and distribution arrangements.

Modules:

• Property

Biography:

Paula was admitted in 2009 and has spent her whole career at Penmans Lawyers, the second oldest law firm on the Central Coast of NSW and a firm of which she has been a principal since 2012.

She has practised in various areas, including litigation and succession but ultimately found her niche in property, commercial and business law, the areas in which she now exclusively practices.

Paula has a love for writing and history, a passion that ties beautifully with property law. She is a strong proponent of plain English drafting and believes that legal documents should be easy for non-lawyers to understand.

Paula is an Accredited Specialist in property law.

Awards & Recognition

Accredited Specialist (Property Law)

Speaking Engagements

President, Central Coast Regional Law Society

Professional Organisation

Penmans Lawyers
Paula Roberts | LinkedIn

Professional Contact

Email: roberts@penmans.com.au

Biography:

Matthew Hall is an experienced intellectual property, information technology and e-commerce lawyer and a registered trade mark attorney. He has expertise in identifying, protecting and commercialising intellectual property rights with a particular interest in digital content and rights management. Matthew has a deep understanding of intellectual property law and policy throughout the Asia-Pacific region, especially copyright, designs & patents and is an experienced (and successful) patent litigator.

Matthew also assists clients to respond to emerging issues affecting strategy, policy and industry regulation. He undertakes compliance audits and develops compliance programs and training and has developed and reviewed legislation, government regulatory schemes & co- and self-regulatory codes of practice for industry. He has particular experience with privacy compliance and data protection.

Matthew also has significant practical experience in the corporate governance of mutuals and other not-for-profit companies as well as higher education institutions, working to improve board processes and director performance, establishing and reviewing governance frameworks and compliance systems and setting strategy.

A regular presenter at industry conferences and workshops, Matthew is an industry fellow in the TC Beirne Law School at the University of Queensland, where he teaches practically based subjects dealing with IP management and commercialisation. Matthew is the chair of the Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture and the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. He is also a member of the advisory board of Have A Voice Pty Ltd. He is a former director of the Mardi Gras Film Festival, the Australian Association of National Advertisers, the Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association and the Brisbane Writers Festival.

Modules:

• Immigration

Biography:

Charles is Special Counsel in Fragomen’s Asia Pacific Advisory and Compliance, Practice. He is a Solicitor 15 years of experience, as well as an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law with the NSW Law Society.

Charles partners with corporate clients to assist in reviewing internal policies and processes in order to implement best practices and ensure compliance with obligations under local immigration laws. He also provides strategic immigration advice as part of broader workforce planning, talent attraction, mobilisation and retention and in situations where immigration law may intersect with other areas of law, such as family law, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, or business restructures.

Charles speaks fluent English and Indonesian and conversational Japanese and Chinese.

Modules:

• Commercial

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

Biography:

Fiona has more than eight years’ experience providing legal advice across a variety of sectors. Fiona practiced as a solicitor at Allens and the not-for-profit LawRight (formerly QPILCH) in Brisbane before relocating to the United Kingdom. In London, Fiona worked as in-house commercial legal counsel at the non-departmental government body The Single Source Regulations Office, the multinational jeweller Swarovski and the global news publisher The Guardian. Fiona has diverse practical experience in consumer and contract law.

She is admitted in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Fiona was shortlisted for the QUT Undergraduate Writing Prize in 2011.

Contact

Fiona.thatcher@lexisnexis.com.au

Biography:

Chloe is Head of General Practice Group – Practical Guidance and is responsible for content development for a number of practice areas. She works closely with a team of in-house Legal Writers all with direct practice experience and dedicated to ensuring the content of Practical Guidance reflects the latest developments in law and practice.

Chloe comes from a banking and financial services litigation background, and has worked on a wide variety of proceedings for Australia's largest banks. Chloe previously worked in the Banking and Financial Services and Disputes and Litigation teams at DibbsBarker Lawyers, and has experience in banking and financial services litigation, dispute resolution and consumer credit law.

Contact

chloe.silvester@lexisnexis.com.au

Modules:

• Immigration

Biography:

Chris is a Partner of the Australian Practice of Fragomen. Chris is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist and has practiced immigration law since 1995.

Chris has extensive experience in providing immigration advice and assistance to Australian and global corporations in industry sectors such as construction and engineering, education, electricity and gas, mining, financial and insurance, retail, information technology and telecommunications. His extensive experience extends to representing individuals, as well as local and multinational corporations seeking to establish and/or operate in Australia.

Chris is a committee member of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and Chris also Chairs the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria.

Modules:

• Personal Property Securities

Biography:

Przemek specialises in corporate disputes and insolvency but accepts briefs to advise or appear in commercial matters of all types. He is regularly briefed led or unled in proceedings in Federal and State courts, including in relation to class actions, contractual disputes, corporations law claims, equity and trusts, trade practices, insolvency, personal property securities, public examinations, security enforcement and voidable transactions. Prior to being called to the Bar, Przemek practiced as a solicitor for 16 years at Allens.

Biography:

Joshua works in the Projects & Construction practice group at Piper Alderman, where he assists in construction-related disputes, including security of payment adjudications, and design and building practitioner issues. He also has experience assisting in contract documentation for major infrastructure and development projects.  

Joshua has contributed to legal research and policy development at UNSW Law & Justice and the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform. He has experience as a Research Assistant focusing on the integration of Indigenous perspectives into contract law. He has also contributed to policy analysis in energy efficiency regulation, exploring regulatory gaps and intergovernmental collaboration.

Speaking Engagements
Resolution Institute – Security of Payment Caselaw Update 2024 

Modules:

• Personal Property Securities

Biography:

Diccon is recognised internationally for his work on innovative and ground-breaking finance deals, working for borrowers, lenders and arrangers in which he blends creativity with a strategic and commercial approach and rigorous legal analysis.

He is sought after for his strategic advice, immense knowledge and depth of experience in syndications and corporate financing, project financing, structured financing, takeover financing, tax and asset-based financing and leasing, domestic and overseas capital markets and derivatives. Diccon is recognised in Chambers Asia Pacific 2013 as a 'leading lawyer'. He is a senior and highly respected member of the banking and finance team. A significant part of his work is centred around corporate financing.

Modules:

• Succession

Biography:

Rosemary is a consultant of the firm Tindall Gask Bentley. She is a member of the Succession Law Committee of the Law Society of South Australia and of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. Rosemary was admitted to practice in 2001. Since that time she has predominantly worked in the wills and estates area and for the last three years has worked solely in the area of wills, probate and estate litigation.

Modules:

• Banking & Finance
• Personal Property Securities

Biography:

Steve is a commercial-focused lawyer with over three decades’ experience in banking & finance transactions, including over 20 years as a partner at Allens, where he is now a consultant. His practice has included corporate finance, debt capital markets, project finance and more recently consumer finance work. He is currently based in Melbourne, and has also spent several years practicing in each of Hong Kong and Singapore

Outside the law, Steve also works as a researcher at the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, with a focus on public transport projects.

Progessional Organisation

www.allens.com.au/people/p/steve-pemberton

Modules:

• Consumer

Biography:

Paul Gillett is a Senior Associate in the Class Actions team of Maurice Blackburn in Melbourne and is currently representing over 160,000 claimants in the bank fees class actions brought against eight of Australia's largest banks, and which resulted in a historic victory in the High Court of Australia which clarified the operation of the doctrine of penalties.

Paul has over 12 years of practice and expertise in retail banking and finance, consumer credit, consumer protection, trade practices, personal insolvency and debt recovery.

Prior to joining Maurice Blackburn, Paul was employed as Director of Legal Practice for the Consumer Action Law Centre where he managed Australia's largest specialist consumer litigation practice, and one of the country's largest public interest law practices.

He has authored consumer and credit law chapters of LexisNexis Practical Guidance online, the Fitzroy Legal Service Law Handbook, and the Lawyers Practice Manual Victoria, and is an experienced speaker and educator, having lectured or spoken at a variety of conferences, seminars and institutions, including the Leo Cussen Institute and in the University of Melbourne Master of Laws program.

Modules:

• Technology & Innovation

Biography:

As an associate and accredited trade mark attorney, Emma brings a wealth of expertise across the full spectrum of intellectual property law. With a career spanning advisory work on complex transactions and contentious matters, Emma has developed a reputation for delivering clear, strategic guidance to clients navigating the intricacies of IP rights. Her experience includes advising on high‑value asset sales where intellectual property formed a significant component of the transaction, ensuring that ownership and transfer of rights were handled seamlessly. In addition, Emma has provided counsel in research and development agreement disputes, including matters involving agricultural innovations such as wheat, demonstrating both technical understanding and practical problem‑solving skills.

Beyond trade marks, Emma has worked across patents, designs, copyright, and confidential information, offering holistic advice that reflects the interconnected nature of intellectual property. Clients value her ability to balance commercial objectives with legal precision, tailoring solutions to protect and enhance business assets.

Committed to supporting innovation and growth, Emma continues to build a practice grounded in professionalism, collaboration, and a deep appreciation of the role intellectual property plays in shaping competitive advantage.

Modules:

• Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy

Biography:

Joy is a lawyer in Gilbert + Tobin’s Technology + Digital group. Joy has varied experience advising clients on their regulatory obligations and new developments involved with new technology offerings and emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of privacy, data protection, and data portability. Joy also has experience supporting clients on strategic contracting, including outsourcings and procurement transactions. Prior to joining G+T Joy worked at the ACCC in the CDR compliance and enforcement team and was involved in developing the CDR participant portal, guidance for applicants, and enforcement policy.

Professional Organisation

Gilbert + Tobin
https://www.gtlaw.com.au/

Professional Contact

jmkim@gtlaw.com.au

Modules:

• Technology & Innovation

Biography:

Nicholas is an innovative and trusted lawyer that develops strong and attentive relationships with his clients. Nicholas is passionate about collaboration and works closely with colleagues to provide wholistic advice and solutions for complex legal issues. Nicholas’ main interests are in payments, digital assets, credit and fintech but advises on all aspects of Financial Services regulation. Nicholas utilises creative thinking to provide innovative and novel solutions and valuable advice for his clients.

Nicholas’ expertise is in providing regulatory and corporate support to emerging Fintechs and disruptors with cutting-edge product and service offerings. Nicholas is also experienced in supporting established financial service providers by managing their regulatory compliance obligations and assisting them to grow their business. Nicholas understands the regulatory environment and is well-placed to advise on regulatory requirements and risk mitigation strategies for businesses of all sizes.

Nicholas regularly acts for major digital currency exchanges on regulatory and corporate matters. 

Nicholas regularly contributes to and informs regulatory reform including drafting submissions on the digital asset licensing and payments reforms, buy-now pay later reform and AML/CTF.

Awards & Recognition

• Lawyer’s Weekly 30 under 30 – Financial Services, Winner 2024
• Lawyer’s Weekly 30 under 30 – Financial Services, Finalist 2022

Memberships

Hamilton Locke is a partner member of the Digital Economy Council of Australia