2025 CPD Program–Australia

Session 1: Legal Professional Privilege | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

This program provides a practical guide to establishing, claiming, and maintaining legal professional privilege. This session covers: 

• The purpose, legal basis, and elements of privilege;
• The types of communications protected by privilege;
• How to avoid waiving privilege; and
• Case studies and latest developments.

Speakers: Christien Corns, Partner and Sam Rappensberg, Senior Associate

CPD Points: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Session 2: Privacy Update  –  What you Need to Know | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

This session will discuss:

• The recent privacy law reforms and what they mean for you; and
• What to expect in 2025 and beyond.

Speakers: Cameron Abbott, Partner and Stephanie Mayhew, Lawyer

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 3: Mandatory ACCC Clearance for Acquisitions: How This Seismic Change Will Affect Your Business – and Other Key Upcoming Changes to Competition and Consumer Laws | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

This session will focus on: 

• The introduction of Mandatory Merger Clearance: 
  • The low monetary thresholds meaning that large numbers of acquisitions will require clearance;
  • The broad definition of 'acquisition' meaning the focus is much broader than mergers and acquisitions;
  • What is involved: the applications, the process and timelines (and whether you will qualify for a waiver);
  • What this means for you in planning acquisitions/deals and timelines and proactivity; and
  • What it means for you if you are a 'serial acquirer'/your business model involves ongoing acquisition – in the face of the proposed three-year look-back provision.
• Updates on other key upcoming changes: 
  • Potential penalties for breaches of Consumer Guarantees and Manufacturers refusing to indemnify retailers for breaches; and
  • The likely introduction of a prohibition of Unfair Practices.

Speaker: Ayman Guirguis, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 4: Leadership | 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

During this session, Clare Monger will explore what legal teams and leaders can do to sustain a team's capacity to innovate, create and solve complex problems in a rapidly changing environment.

Speaker: Clare Monger, Associate Director – Human Resources

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 5: Sustainable Investment Issues | 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

This session will look at:

• Mandatory climate related reporting;
• Greenwashing and enforcement;
• Regulation of trading in and the use of carbon credits; and
• Sustainable investment taxonomy.

Speakers: Jim Bulling, Partner and Simon Kiburg, Senior Associate

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 6: State of the Workplace | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

2024 saw broad-sweeping changes to employment laws, from the commencement of the "Right to Disconnect", changes to employee/contractor laws, new minimum standards and protection for "employee-like workers", the introduction of same job same pay provisions, the expansion of regulation relating to managing psychosocial risk and workplace delegate rights and the introduction of wage theft legislation.

This session will provide attendees with an insight into the key changes and risks they need to be across in 2025.

Speakers: Nick Ruskin, Partner and Greta Marks, Senior Associate

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 1: Privilege - How to get it and Keep it | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

This program provides a practical guide to establishing, claiming, and maintaining legal professional privilege. This session covers:

• The purpose, legal basis, and elements of privilege;
• The types of communications protected by privilege;
• How to avoid waiving privilege; and
• Case studies and latest developments.

Speaker: Ian Dorey, Partner

CPD Points: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Session 2: State of the Workplace | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

2024 saw broad-sweeping changes to employment laws, from the commencement of the "Right to Disconnect", changes to employee/contractor laws, new minimum standards and protection for "employee-like workers", the introduction of same job same pay provisions, the expansion of regulation relating to managing psychosocial risk and workplace delegate rights and the introduction of wage theft legislation.

This session will provide attendees with an insight into the key changes and risks they need to be across in 2025.

Speakers: Alanna Fitzpatrick, Partner and Andrew Wheeldon, Special Counsel

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 3: Mandatory ACCC Clearance for Acquisitions: How This Seismic Change Will Affect Your Business – and Other Key Upcoming Changes to Competition and Consumer Laws | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

This session will focus on: 

• The introduction of Mandatory Merger Clearance: 
  • The low monetary thresholds meaning that large numbers of acquisitions will require clearance;
  • The broad definition of 'acquisition' meaning the focus is much broader than mergers and acquisitions;
  • What is involved: the applications, the process and timelines (and whether you will qualify for a waiver);
  • What this means for you in planning acquisitions/deals and timelines and proactivity; and
  • What it means for you if you are a 'serial acquirer'/your business model involves ongoing acquisition – in the face of the proposed three-year look-back provision.
• Updates on other key upcoming changes: 
  • Potential penalties for breaches of Consumer Guarantees and Manufacturers refusing to indemnify retailers for breaches; and
  • The likely introduction of a prohibition of Unfair Practices.

Speaker: Ayman Guirguis, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 4: Privacy Update - What you Need to Know | 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

This session will discuss:

• The recent privacy law reforms and what they mean for you; and
• What to expect in 2025 and beyond.

Speakers: Cameron Abbott, Partner and Stephanie Mayhew, Lawyer

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 5: Directors' Duties and Governance and Matters Effecting the C-suite | 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

This presentation will provide a timely refresher on directors' and officers' obligations as well as a look at what legal issues are going to be effecting the c-suite in the year ahead.

Speakers: Carl Hinze, Partner and Khilen Devani, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 1: Mandatory ACCC Clearance for Acquisitions: How This Seismic Change Will Affect Your Business – and Other Key Upcoming Changes to Competition and Consumer Laws | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

This session will focus on: 

• The introduction of Mandatory Merger Clearance: 
  • The low monetary thresholds meaning that large numbers of acquisitions will require clearance;
  • The broad definition of 'acquisition' meaning the focus is much broader than mergers and acquisitions;
  • What is involved: the applications, the process and timelines (and whether you will qualify for a waiver);
  • What this means for you in planning acquisitions/deals and timelines and proactivity; and
  • What it means for you if you are a 'serial acquirer'/your business model involves ongoing acquisition – in the face of the proposed three-year look-back provision.
• Updates on other key upcoming changes: 
  • Potential penalties for breaches of Consumer Guarantees and Manufacturers refusing to indemnify retailers for breaches; and
  • The likely introduction of a prohibition of Unfair Practices.

Speaker: Ayman Guirguis, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 2: State of the Workplace | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

2024 saw broad-sweeping changes to employment laws, from the commencement of the "Right to Disconnect", changes to employee/contractor laws, new minimum standards and protection for "employee-like workers", the introduction of same job same pay provisions, the expansion of regulation relating to managing psychosocial risk and workplace delegate rights and the introduction of wage theft legislation.

This session will provide attendees with an insight into the key changes and risks they need to be across in 2025.

Speakers: Stephen Hardy, Partner and Leila Moddel, Partner

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 3: The Honest Lawyer: Why do People Laugh at the Notion of an Honest Lawyer? | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Why do people laugh at the notion of an honest lawyer? Murray Landis, partner from our Corporate/M&A Group, discusses why the duty to act honestly is at the core of your professional obligations. Also, how far can you go in advancing your employer and client's interest without breaching your duties as an officer of the court and trustee of the legal system?

Speaker: Murray Landis, Partner

CPD Points: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Session 4: Data Centres – What's Happening | 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

This session will provide attendees with an overview on:

• Trends;
• Site considerations; and
• Co-location agreements.

Speakers: Samuel Brown, Partner and Jennifer McCosker, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 5: Hot Topics in Tax - 2024/25 | 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Senior associate Naeha Lal and lawyer Beliz Ozturk from our Tax practice will provide an overview on recent tax issues that are front of mind for our clients, including:

• The ATO's crackdown on the treatment of royalty withholding tax;
• Reforms to the thin capitalisation rules impacting deductions of debt;
• Payroll tax's state of flux and Uber's victory in court; and
• Duty changes in NSW and Victoria.

The session will provide a brief update on these and other topical issues.

Speakers: Naeha Lal, Senior Associate and Beliz Ozturk, Lawyer

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 6: Renewable, Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Hydrogen Energy Investment Opportunities in Australia | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

This session will provide an overview of Australia’s energy market, focusing on government policy, market trends, and investment opportunities, while highlighting the nation’s competitive advantages and supportive policy framework.

Speaker: James Durnall, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 7: Environmental Licencing and Corporate Environmental Liability - Liability of Managers and Directors' | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

The presentation will consider concepts of management and control in relation to environmental licencing of major projects, together with a discussion of the concepts of 'executive liability' and 'special executive liability' for environmental offences.

Speakers: Paul Lalich, Partner, Andrew Scully, Special Counsel and Madeleine Ryan, Lawyer

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 1: Legal Professional Privilege | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

This program provides a practical guide to establishing, claiming, and maintaining legal professional privilege. This session covers: 

• The purpose, legal basis, and elements of privilege;
• The types of communications protected by privilege;
• How to avoid waiving privilege; and 
• Case studies and latest developments.

Speakers: Nicholas Brown, Partner and Philip Murray, Special Counsel

CPD Points: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Session 2: Leadership | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

During this session, Clare Monger will explore what legal teams and leaders can do to sustain a team's capacity to innovate, create and solve complex problems in a rapidly changing environment.

Speaker: Clare Monger, Associate Director – Human Resources

CPD Points: Professional Skills

Session 3: Mandatory ACCC Clearance for Acquisitions: How This Seismic Change Will Affect Your Business – and Other Key Upcoming Changes to Competition and Consumer Laws | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

This session will focus on: 

• The introduction of Mandatory Merger Clearance: 
  • The low monetary thresholds meaning that large numbers of acquisitions will require clearance;
  • The broad definition of 'acquisition' meaning the focus is much broader than mergers and acquisitions;
  • What is involved: the applications, the process and timelines (and whether you will qualify for a waiver);
  • What this means for you in planning acquisitions/deals and timelines and proactivity; and
  • What it means for you if you are a 'serial acquirer'/your business model involves ongoing acquisition – in the face of the proposed three-year look-back provision.
• Updates on other key upcoming changes: 
  • Potential penalties for breaches of Consumer Guarantees and Manufacturers refusing to indemnify retailers for breaches; and
  • The likely introduction of a prohibition of Unfair Practices.

Speaker: Ayman Guirguis, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 4: WA Property Law Principles and Traps Relevant to In-House Lawyers | 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

• Statutory timeframes;
• Failing to obtain statutory consents;
• Lease terms sheets: key drivers for tenants;
• Clauses in leases that can be expensive for tenants;
• Bank guarantees;
• Consequences of failing to register at Landgate or lodge a caveat; and
• Land contamination responsibilities in sale / purchase contracts and leases.

Speaker: Simon Moen, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Session 5: Generative AI - Emerging Innovative Legal us Cases and the Global Regulatory Response | 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

With AI technologies rapidly developing, this session will provide attendees an overview of the current developments, how it can be used for in house legal teams and your outside counsel, as well as exploring the regulatory response in Australia and around the world.

Speaker: Daniel Knight, Partner

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 6: State of the Workplace | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

2024 saw broad-sweeping changes to employment laws, from the commencement of the "Right to Disconnect", changes to employee/contractor laws, new minimum standards, and protection for "employee-like workers", the introduction of same job same pay provisions, the expansion of regulation relating to managing psychosocial risk and workplace delegate rights and the introduction of wage theft legislation.

This session will provide attendees with an insight into the key changes and risks they need to be across in 2025.

Speaker: Alanna Fitzpatrick, Partner

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

Session 7: Top Tips for Start-ups and Venture Capital | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Corporate venture capital can speed up internal innovation efforts, but doing so successfully requires an understanding of the start-up and VC landscape. This session will explore:

• Accelerating internal innovation with corporate VC;
• The start-up and the venture capital landscape; and
• Typical transaction documents – tips, traps, risks and cautionary tales.

Speaker: Luke Paterson, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

This session will discuss conflicts of interest for directors and provide a framework for considering whether a conflict has arisen and why, as well as strategies for effectively managing conflicts. A number of scenarios will be used to illustrate the general principles.

Speaker: James Lonie, Partner

CPD Points: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

2024 saw broad-sweeping changes to employment laws, from the commencement of the "Right to Disconnect", changes to employee/contractor laws, new minimum standards and protection for "employee-like workers", the introduction of same job same pay provisions, the expansion of regulation relating to managing psychosocial risk and workplace delegate rights and the introduction of wage theft legislation.

This session will provide attendees with an insight into the key changes and risks they need to be across in 2025.

Speakers: Nick Ruskin, Partner and Greta Marks, Senior Associate

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

With AI technologies rapidly developing, this session will provide attendees an overview of the current developments, how it can be used for in house legal teams and your outside counsel, as well as exploring the regulatory response in Australia and around the world.

Speaker: Daniel Knight, Partner

CPD Points: Practice Management and Business Skills

This session will focus on: 

• The introduction of Mandatory Merger Clearance: 
  • The low monetary thresholds meaning that large numbers of acquisitions will require clearance;
  • The broad definition of 'acquisition' meaning the focus is much broader than mergers and acquisitions;
  • What is involved: the applications, the process and timelines (and whether you will qualify for a waiver);
  • What this means for you in planning acquisitions/deals and timelines and proactivity; and
  • What it means for you if you are a 'serial acquirer'/your business model involves ongoing acquisition – in the face of the proposed three-year look-back provision.
• Updates on other key upcoming changes: 
  • Potential penalties for breaches of Consumer Guarantees and Manufacturers refusing to indemnify retailers for breaches; and
  • The likely introduction of a prohibition of Unfair Practices.

Speaker: Ayman Guirguis, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

This session will discuss:

• The recent privacy law reforms and what they mean for you; and
• What to expect in 2025 and beyond.

Speakers: Cameron Abbott, Partner and Stephanie Mayhew, Lawyer

CPD Points: Substantive Law

This session will look at:

• Mandatory climate related reporting;
• Greenwashing and enforcement;
• Regulation of trading in and the use of carbon credits; and
• Sustainable investment taxonomy.

Speakers: Jim Bulling, Partner and Lisa Lautier, Partner

CPD Points: Substantive Law

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the rise and rise of the private credit market in Australia. In this session, we will explore what this means for traditional lending and why both APRA and ASIC have identified private credit as a focus area for them in their regulatory agenda. We will also consider the emerging themes in private credit and how restructuring and insolvency tools can be utilised in instances of financial distress.

Speakers: Claudine Salameh, Partner and Jason Gaitz, Senior Associate

CPD Points: Substantive Law