Biography:

Val Gostencnik is a Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, which is the national workplace relations tribunal.

Prior to this appointment in April 2013, Val was Practice Group Leader of the National Workplace Relations Practice Group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. During this time, Val was sought equally by governments, corporations and charitable organisations and was an expert and author on workplace legislation and its impact on business and society.

Val was at the forefront of workplace reforms - leading the Corrs' National Workplace Relations Practice Group to act for major Australian and international companies on enterprise agreements and workplace practices, including Multiplex, Downer EDI, Thiess and Transfield Services, from test cases before the High Court to coronial inquiries. Val worked across all court and tribunal jurisdictions, and was Solicitor Instructing Counsel Assisting the Victorian 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission.

Val's other passion was managing Corrs' Giving Back program, which covered the firm's pro bono legal offerings, philanthropy and staff volunteering.

Val now acts as a consultant for the LexisNexis Practical Guidance - Employment law module.

Biography:

Mark has been involved in advising and representing employers in a wide range of workplace matters including industrial and employment, occupational health, safety and welfare and discrimination matters. Mark has been involved in conducting workplace investigations involving allegations of bullying and sexual harassment as well as representing employers at conciliation conferences before Fair Work Australia and negotiating settlements.

Modules:

• Construction

Biography:

Nabeela is an Associate in the Project Development and Finance practice group based in the Sydney office. 

Nabeela advises clients on the development, financing, construction and maintenance of major infrastructure and energy projects in APAC, with a particular focus on public private partnerships and other privately financed arrangements.

Memberships
Law Society of NSW

Biography:

Ben has more than 10 years of experience at small firms, and in large companies in the finance sector. In his role as a lawyer, he had carriage of a variety of matters from start to finish. Ben has extensive experience in personal injury matters, including workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents, compensation to relatives, medical negligence and public liability claims, plus local and district court litigation, and wills and estates.

Contact

ben.newling@lexisnexis.com.au

Modules:

• Criminal

Biography:

Kristina has worked exclusively in the area of Criminal Defence since her admission. She regularly appears on behalf of clients in the Magistrates Court, Children’s Court, and the County Court.

Kristina is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, and has completed specialist training in Youth Crime. She became a Partner at Doogue O’Brien George in 2014.

Modules:

• Employment

Biography:

Giri advises and represents employees nationally and his clients include unions and their members, senior executives, medical professionals and senior public servants. He is a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in employment and industrial law, a member of the NSW Law Society Employment Law Committee, and is recommended as an Employment Law and Workplace Relations lawyer for employees in NSW in the Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession, 2011 Edition.

Modules:

• Construction

Biography:

Rachel Stanton is an associate in the White & Case Project Development and Finance practice based in Sydney. 

Rachel brings extensive experience in front-end major projects and construction matters across both public and private sectors and is well versed dealing with a range of stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams. She has played a key role in the procurement and delivery of significant infrastructure projects and her diverse portfolio, which includes transport, commercial and residential projects, underscores her versatility and deep understanding of complex project management, and ability to deliver within project budgets and timelines.  

Rachel also has experience in energy and resources projects and has worked on the project financing of renewable energy projects.

Awards and Recognition
University Medal (Faculty of Law)

Modules:

• Competition

Biography:

Brendan is a partner in Maddocks Sydney TMT team and leads Maddocks national Technology Group. He has more than 20 years' experience as a commercial lawyer with a particular focus on technology, telecommunications and intellectual property.

Brendan has advised telecom companies, technology developers, communications infrastructure companies and government agencies on a wide variety of commercial and regulatory matters.

Publications

• LexisNexis - Practical Guidance Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy (Australian chapters)

Awards & Recognition

Brendan was named as the winner of the Telecommunications Award for Australia at the International Law Office Client Choice Awards for 2018, 2015, 2013 and 2012. He is also recognised as a leading lawyer in the areas of TMT and IP by legal directories, including Asia Pacific Legal 500, Chambers Global, Best Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal.

Speaking Engagements

• ACCAN Conference – 2018, 2017, 2016
• Copyright Society of Australia - IP seminar - 2017

Professional Organisations & Memberships

• Communications & Media Lawyers Association

Professional Contact

Phone: 61 2 9291 6258

Email: brendan.coady@maddocks.com.au

Modules:

• Dispute Resolution

Biography:

Linton was called to the New South Wales Bar in 2015. Before coming to the Bar, Linton worked in the medical profession. He also worked at a community legal centre practising in a wide range of criminal and civil areas.

Since coming to the Bar, Linton has appeared extensively in the Local Court, District Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal as well as in the Federal Courts, including the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia.

Modules:

• Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy

Biography:

Phillip is a cyber security, technology and privacy lawyer with more than 20 years of combined experience in cyber law, cybercrime, digital forensics and cyber security.

He has advised some of Australia’s and the world’s largest companies (including technology giants) on data protection, cyber resilience, privacy, contractual and regulatory compliance, telecommunications law and technology-related transactions.

Phillip has a unique combination of legal, cyber, regulatory and investigative expertise. His experience includes 18 years as an Australian Federal Police officer (specialising in digital forensics and cybercrime), and as a Senior Manager in Markets Enforcement at ASIC.

He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), has a Master of Information Systems Security and was an Adjunct Professor at Deakin University’s Centre for Cyber Security and Innovation.

Awards and Recognition
Former Adjunct Professor at Deakin University’s Centre for Cyber Security and Innovation
Former Technical Assessor (ISO 17025) with the National Association of Testing Authorities

Modules:

• Succession

Biography:

Modules:

• Criminal

Biography:

Julia began her career working as a taxation and management accountant in major accounting firms, investment banks and public companies both in Australia and London. She then spent 7 years working as a Senior Financial Investigator with the WA Police and the Crime and Corruption Commission in Brisbane, primarily focusing on organised crime and confiscation proceedings.

Julia commenced practice as a criminal lawyer in 2007 at a boutique criminal law practice. In 2014 she established a criminal law division within an existing firm. She represents clients in all areas of criminal law with a special focus on financial and white-collar crime.

In 2014 Julia successfully completed the program run by the Queensland Law Society to become an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law.

Modules:

• Commercial
• Property

Biography:

A specialist in legal drafting, Philip’s work involved the preparation of tailor-made documents, including Deeds and Agreements of all kinds, to give effect to complex property and commercial transactions. He is also experienced in drafting and conducting revisions of constitutions and by-laws.

Philip chaired the Property Committee of the Law Society of South Australia for many years and, in that role, was actively involved in the review of proposed legislation affecting property and in the preparation of submissions for law reform. He also represented South Australia on the Australian Property Law Group of the Law Council of Australia and the Property Law Reform Alliance.

Modules:

• Criminal

Biography:

Justin graduated from the University of Queensland in 2002 and was admitted as a legal practitioner in Queensland in 2006. Before commencing as Principal Legal Officer with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Justin was a solicitor with Legal Aid Queensland’s criminal law practice. Previous to this role, he was an associate to judges of the District Court of Queensland. As a practitioner, he has defended clients in criminal proceedings in the Supreme, District and Magistrates Courts of Queensland. He has also represented clients in the High Court and Queensland Court of Appeal. Justin is presently involved with the development of criminal law legislation and policy with the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Biography:

Appointments:

• Acting for the lessee on a long term lease of 99 Harrington Street, The Rocks from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority which involved a commercial, retail and residential development and accompanying title issue, as well as heritage aspects to the building and the development
• Acting for the developer of "The Cooperage" at Pyrmont which also involved lengthy negotiations with the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
• Acting for the purchaser of a one-half interest in the "Metcentre" at 60 Margaret Street for the Motor Trades Association of Australia involving reviewing and advising on co-ownership agreements and conducting a lengthy due diligence of the complex, retail and commercial leasing aspects of the building
• Acting for an industrial organisation (The Teachers Federation) and its associated health fund on a significant property development involving the consolidation of multiple lots followed by a stratum/strata subdivision of residential and commercial whilst simultaneously maintaining the continuing operations of the existing retail and commercial activities in the building
• Acting for a joint venture of private investors and the Sullivans Cove re development authority (in Tasmania) for the re-development of Sullivans Cove and the Elizabeth Street piers and silos
• Drafting and negotiating development/project management agreements associated with mixed residential retail and commercial development at Townsville, Wollongong and Kingscliff on behalf of Quantum Development
• Acting for the National Information and Communications Technology Australia Limited (an organisation that plays a major role in promoting science and innovation in the ICT industry) in relation to their development of land at the University of New South Wales
• Acting on the acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of 350 George St, Sydney. This project involved complex strata staging over different development levels, uses and time frames
• Acting for a retirement village developer and manager in Sydney metro and regional areas.
• Acting for Royal Agricultural Society of NSW in re-development and management of the Showground site at Homebush
• Recovery and mortgagee in possession sales, especially for commercial and retail sites

Modules:

• Governance

Biography:

Damian has a senior management background in corporate governance, enterprise risk management, corporate insurance and risk financing, legal compliance, infrastructure development, OHS and environmental management. He has recently worked as a work health and safety specialist contractor for Deloitte Risk Services.

Damian has worked for 12 years in the electricity industry in Queensland in risk management, compliance and legal risk and strategy roles. He has also worked in corporate governance and risk management roles in the public sector in Australia and was a non-executive director of North East Water, a state government water corporation in Australia, from 2008-11.

Damian is an accredited Lead Auditor of OHS Management Systems and has also completed the ICAM (Incident Cause Analysis Method) course on safety incident investigations. He has extensive experience on management systems development in the areas of risk and compliance, as well as OHS and environmental management. Damian has a Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science from Monash University.

Modules:

• Criminal

Biography:

David began his career at Legal Aid Queensland is 1995 as part of the graduate intake of that year. He was admitted to the bar in November 1997. In 2000 he was appointed to the role Principal Lawyer and Mentor of the Graduate team with in the criminal law division of Legal Aid Queensland. In 2010 he was asked to take over the role of Principal Lawyer, Youth Legal Aid, a specialist youth justice team within the criminal division. David presents regularly on youth justice issues throughout Queensland to both lawyers and the general community.

Biography:

Thomas Abraham is a Special Counsel, Commercial and Tax with Macpherson Kelley. Thomas has extensive public and private sector experience and deep expertise in state taxation advice and litigation. During his time as a solicitor in the Legal Services Branch of the State Revenue Office of Victoria, Thomas conducted litigation on behalf of the Commissioner in various state taxation matters. Thomas practices in all state taxation matters across Australia, including land tax, duties, payroll tax, congestion levy and taxation administration matters (eg, assessments, re-assessments, refunds, private rulings, objections, reviews and appeals).

Professional Contact

Thomas Abraham - Macpherson Kelley

Memberships

Thomas is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria’s State Taxes Committee.