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The Australian Corporate Lawyer Awards (ACLAs) are in-house legal awards, designed to recognise excellence in the provision of legal services and the contribution made by in-house lawyers, whether in corporate, government or not-for-profit legal departments.

With four new categories providing us the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our membership, there are now even more examples of excellence to showcase. With record numbers of high calibre nominations, our panel of 48 judges have had an unenviable task to determine the finalists.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year we are unable to proceed with our planned in-person gala awards dinner, but fear not, the ACLAs will go on! 

In 2020, we are creating new ways to shine a light on the importance of the the in-house lawyer and the role they play within their organisations. We are excited about delivering the ACLAs virtually as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of the finalists and award winners on a global stage. This year there are no limits on how many people can attend – friends, families, colleagues are all welcome to join us.

Support your colleagues in the profession.

The ACLA Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 18, November 2020 from 5.30 -7.30 AEST.

Please note: Registrations to the 2020 In-house Legal Virtual Conference include access to the Awards Cermony.

So, join us from your lounge, office or boardroom for a couple of hours of celebration, entertainment and award giving.

Amanda J. Scott, specialises in stress management and helps people identify which of the eight types of stress they have the most difficulty with, and which of their strengths they can call upon to turn negative stress into positive stress. This is key to remaining more calm, in-control, confident, happy and productive under pressure. 

Amanda’s approach is unique and in this webinar she will demonstrate how stress is the symptom and not the cause, will provide clarity on how the stress got there and provide you with tools to reconnect you to your inner strength. 

Most importantly, Amanda will provide vital tips that are immediately accessible to help you deal with anxiety, overwhelm and fear and develop a new mindset for dealing with stress.

The NSW Division Social Committee will be hosting a virtual social catch up for our NSW members to get together and break up the working week.

You'll be matched up in small breakout groups and given the opportunity to socialise with your in-house colleagues over a coffee or tea, whilst exchanging tips on how to manage legal matters remotely.

Please come camera ready and ready to chat!

Friday 18 September, 2020

11am - 11:45am

Please note that this event is limited to current ACC Members only.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a General Meeting of the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association trading as Association of Corporate Counsel Australia (ACC Australia) - New South Wales Division, will be held at 6 pm on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

AGENDA

Given current social distancing restrictions the 2020 AGM will be held virtually, please register to indicate your attendance and receive dial in details. 

The ethical challenges faced by in-house lawyers are unique. This presentation looks at some common in-house pitfalls and dilemmas and discusses ways to avoid walking on the wrong side of the sometimes imperceptible ethical line.

Baker McKenzie and ACC Australia invite you to a discussion covering hot topics in competition law, including:

• the impact of COVID-19;
• criminal cartel investigations; and
• trends in penalties.

Partners Lynsey Edgar and Helen Joyce will discuss the latest case examples and offer practical risk management strategies for in-house counsel.

Please note: If your company/organisation is deemed to be a competitor of the host organisation for this event, you may be excluded from attending this event. If you believe there may be a conflict or are uncertain, please enquire with ACC Australia.

Registrations for this event are being managed by Baker McKenzie directly.

The basic principles governing statutory interpretation have been repeatedly stated by the courts: start from the text of the legislation; give effect to the purpose of Parliament as expressed in the text of statutory provisions; and look to meaning in the context in which the words in dispute appear. But statutory interpretation is an art and not a science.

In this ACC Australia and VicBar seminar, Justice Maxwell, Kathleen Foley and Julia Watson will discuss how to approach the task of statutory construction, the recent authorities that illustrate differences in approach, and what are the issues that arise for practitioners, particularly government lawyers.
 

Stephen Scheeler’s recent webinar laid out an extensive level of working norms that could be expected as a result of the global pandemic. However, his session opened a whole other level of questions about what lay ahead in 2021 and how this will impact in-house counsel. In this second webinar, Stephen returns to deep dive with the ACC Australia audience on topics including:

• How do you envisage the role of lawyers changing?
• How will in-house lawyers preserve the relationship with clients as strategic advisors with the need to engage with clients remotely via technology?
• Regarding OH&S responsibility for staff working from home, how far does the 'safe system of work' obligation extend?
• How do you see the energy industry be impacted?
• What advice would you give to digital entrepreneurs?
• What do you see happening with the new normal for travel? Will we stop getting on planes and have VR holidays?
• For the Personalised Data Economy, does this mean much of our marketing will fall mute, and that we need to start focusing on getting the trust of consumers so they let us into their silos?
• Will there be enough jobs in the future with automation and robotics ?
• Regarding the pandemic-proof certification, would this be something employees will look for - attracting and retaining the best talent?
• What will all this mean for not-pandemic proof industries?
• Will the private sector need to take more responsibility to drive the social changes required to adapt to the post COVID world?

Following Stephen's presentation ACC Australia will be hosting a virtual networking session from 5.00 PM using our new virtual event platform! Grab a drink and we’ll break you into smaller groups so that you can catch up with peers, discuss the insights gained, share what you’ve been experiencing in your own workplace and how you’re planning for the “new normal”.  

AUSCL Australian Society for Computers and Law is honored to host an Australia first online event featuring the distinguished Hon Justice Michael Kirby, leading authority on the future of technology and the law Professor Richard Susskind and Dean of Law Professor Tania Sourdin.

The evening will commence with a lecture by Richard Susskind on the Future of Courts, followed by an Australian first discussion between the Hon Justice Michael Kirby, Tania Sourdin and Richard Susskind on Future courts, Future justice and the profound changes ushered in by the current pandemic and the age of the algorithm. Followed by Q&A and closing remarks by Micheil Paton (Principal Legal Officer - Australian Law Reform Commission).

Tickets are limited and preference will be given to AUSCL members.

This is an event not to be missed by lawyers, barristers, judges, technologists, academics, civil society leaders, politicians and anyone with a keen interest in the future of justice.

Join Madgwicks Special Counsel Catherine Ballantyne and Barrister Justin Castelan as they explain how defamation laws apply in the online world. 

This live and interactive broadcast will provide practical tips in dealing with defamatory reviews as well as an update on the latest developments.