Australian Eastern Standard Time (DST observed)

Doors open at 3:30pm. Networking opportunities follow with drinks and canapes available between 5:30 - 7:00pm.


A panel formed by Hayden Gordine, Partner and Head of Australia, Taylor Root, Tyrilly Csillag, Director of Legal Transformation, Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters and Sean Hughes, General Counsel, Vanguard Australia, will talk to the various trends we are seeing in the legal sector, both globally, as seen in the results of Thomson Reuters’ research, and locally, through ACC Australia’s 2024 Trends Survey, sponsored by Taylor Root. This complimentary session will be moderated by ACC Australia NSW Committee President, Howard Edelman.

Networking with Canapes & Substantial items served between 5:00 - 5:30pm, and 6:30 - 7:00pm


Calling all in-house counsel for an engaging and comprehensive deep-dive into the legal landscape of intellectual property and generative artificial intelligence, where we’ll navigate the nuances of copyright and other legal considerations in the age of generative AI tools.

You will leave this session with practical insights and strategic perspectives covering topics such as:

   +  Does the use of generative AI tools in your organisation place your IP at risk and, if so, how can this be addressed?
   +  Ownership issues in IP in material created using generative AI tools.
   +  Does the use by your organisation of generative AI tools create a risk of infringing the IP of others?
   +  Developing internal and external policies for use of generative AI tools.

The Association of Corporate Counsel (VIC Committee) and Piper Alderman, invite you to join this session to learn, network, and share your experiences with your fellow in-house counsel.
 

Baker McKenzie and ACC Australia are hosting the 2024 Commercial Contract Law Series for in-house counsel.

Each session will focus on the law and practice of a specific commercial contracting topic area.

To commence the 2024 Series, we invite you to our first webinar on Wednesday 7 August on the topic Effective Remedies for Contractual Delay.

In this session Partners, Harriet Oldmeadow and Caitlin Whale will discuss:

•    Setting up a framework for liquidated damages that works for your contract
•    Other contractual mechanisms to address potential delay in performance
•    Avoiding penalty clauses
•    Drafting trips and traps for effective delay claims
 

A Psychologist, an Employment Lawyer and a General Counsel Walk into a Webcast….

With increasing legislative focus on psychosocial hazards, and more and more evidence of the devastating impact on employees, it’s never been more important for Australian employers to review their existing health and safety frameworks to ensure they are managing their duty of care to employees.

Psychosocial hazards include all those factors that increase risk of work-related stress, including bullying, unreasonable job demands, low role clarity or traumatic events or materials. All can lead to psychological or physical harm ranging from heart disease to insomnia and demand that employers prioritise system workplace change, rather than relying on superficial wellness fixes.

Sharing advice for how businesses can build safer workplaces – and the risks and consequences of failing to do so - Law Squared Employment Lawyer, Andrew Brooks, and Howden’s People Risk Partner + Psychologist, Shehan Peiris, will be joined by Culture Amp’s General Counsel + Company Secretary, Sarah Tinsley, to share real life stories, recent case law and best practice approaches for addressing the root cause of psychosocial hazards and creating systemic change.

Whether you’re an in-house legal professional, people + culture professional, or responsible for people management, this will be a must-watch webcast as we explore the practical steps for creating happier, healthier and safer workplaces.


Earn 1 CPD Point Over Lunch

Join us on Tuesday 20 August, at midday for this thought provoking 1-hour webcast on the legal and wellbeing implications of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.


Hosted by Law Squared’s Chief Legal Officer, Kate Marshall, webcast highlights will include:

   +  Need to Know – A comprehensive overview of psychosocial hazards and the four red flags that signal psychosocial hazards are already a problem in your workplace.

   +  Impact on Wellbeing – Understand the mental, physical and emotional implications of prolonged and/or high stress on employees.

   +  Legal Implications – Delve into the emergence of legislation requiring a systematic approach to address these risks under occupational health and safety laws.

   +  Lead by Example – Consider the role of leadership in creating a supportive environment to mitigate the risk of burnout and empower their teams to thrive.

   +  Mitigating Risk – Tips for identifying, monitoring psychosocial hazards, handling early interventions and aligning People + Culture policies with new legislation.

   +  Beyond Compliance – Gain practical strategies for fostering a supportive organisational culture to enhance employee well-being and productivity.


Who should watch this webcast?

This webcast is a must watch for all in-house legal counsel, people + culture professionals and those in people management or leadership roles.


Learning Outcomes

After watching, viewers will be able to:

•    Assess risks to psychological health and wellbeing and identify psychosocial hazards in the workplace
•    Identify measures to control the risk of psychosocial hazards and monitor suitability and impact effectively
•    Develop a policy register and review OHS, first aid, equal opportunity, anti-bullying, discrimination and harassment, whistleblower policies for alignment and compliance with psychosocial hazards obligations
•    Find further information and resources to help you comply with your safety obligations.


Register now!

You’ve closed the book on the 2023/24 Financial Year and the 2024/25 Financial Year is just getting started.

Before you tackle what’s ahead, come and celebrate the year that was with fellow in-house colleagues at the Association of Corporate Counsel (Qld Division) EOFY Long Lunch. Even if you’re yet to bid farewell to your financial year, come and celebrate passing 2024’s halfway mark!

Enjoy views of the Brisbane River and City skyline from the undercover terrace at QAGOMA Restaurant. We will be served a seasonal, two course set menu and if you have the time, stay for a wander through one of the current GOMA exhibits.

We look forward to welcoming all for an enjoyable afternoon.

In today's dynamic corporate environment, understanding the intricate balance between legal compliance and corporate governance is crucial. Effective governance is not just about adhering to regulations but also about fostering trust, transparency, and accountability within the organisation. 

Tackling the dual role of General Counsel (GC) and Company Secretary is a common ambition for in-house legal practitioners, but one that demands specific personal and professional skills to navigate a unique set of challenges, including the ability to manage potential conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality and prioritise a hefty workload.  

Whether you’ve just landed your first Company Secretary role or have ambitions for the future, this webcast will equip you with the knowledge and tools to excel in both capacities. 

Earn 1 CPD Point Over Lunch

Join us on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at midday for a thought provoking 1-hour webcast on governance and the challenges of balancing being a GC with taking on the role of Company Secretary. 

Sharing advice for how GCs and aspiring Company Secretaries can prepare, our guest speakers Ilona Meyer, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Nuix, and former Company Secretary and General Counsel for Iris Energy, Billabong International and ME Bank, Joanna Brand, will join Law Squared Corporate + Commercial lawyer - and former GC and Company Secretary for Pepperstone, Georgie Gane, to discuss the importance of effective governance practices and strategic approaches to successfully fulfil both roles - without compromising on the quality or integrity of their responsibilities.

Hosted by Law Squared’s Chief Legal Officer, Kate Marshall, webcast highlights will include: 

   +  Mastering the Dual Challenge: Hear about the key responsibilities, challenges and priorities of being a Company Secretary from current and former GCs with real-world experience successfully balancing governance and compliance management. 

   +  Sphere of Influence: Understand the powerful interface between compliance and corporate governance and develop strategies for building influence and alignment between legal advice and governance practices.

   +  Beyond Legal: Understand the diverse and robust skills required (and the pathways for acquiring these skills), to balance the dual role, including strategic thinking, conflict management, ethical judgement, communications and increasingly, technological proficiency.  

   +  Build Role Clarity: Learn how to clearly define the responsibilities of a dual role and what boundaries might be needed to avoid conflicts of interest, build trust and manage workload. 

   +  Next Steps: Discover best practices for building trust with the board, providing strategic advice, and leveraging technology to streamline tasks. 

Who should watch this webcast? 

This webcast is a must-watch for all in-house legal practitioners who are embarking on, or aspiring to navigate the complexities of the important and challenging GC / Company Secretary dual role. 

Learning Outcomes:

After watching, viewers will:
- Understand the key responsibilities and distinctions of the General Counsel and Company Secretary roles.
- Learn techniques to clearly define responsibilities and set boundaries to balance dual roles effectively.
- Increase knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements and best practices in governance.
- Build skills to foster trust and maintain strong relationships with the board and other stakeholders.
- Master effective communication techniques for presenting complex issues to the board.
- Identify and assess risks from both legal and governance perspectives and learn strategies for mitigation.
- Acquire crisis management tips to ensure comprehensive coverage of both roles during emergencies.
- Discover technological tools that can streamline tasks, manage data, and enhance efficiency in the dual role.
- Identify actionable next steps and best practices for excelling in the dual role of GC and Company Secretary.

Free Entry!

ACC Australia, in partnership with G2Legal, would like to invite you to our celebratory End of Financial Year 2024 Drinks held at Cabana Bar, Sydney CBD at 6pm on Thursday 1 August 2024.

With great company, delicious canapes, music and flowing drinks, this promises to be a very popular social event and a great chance to catch up with your in-house legal colleagues and peers. 

Calling all pet lovers! 

In partnership with Justin Betar Lawyers and Notaries, we invite you and your furry four-legged friend, bird, turtle or other, to join us on a walk around Sydney Park, where you can meet other like-minded lawyers, take in the fresh winter air, and chat over a warm cup of tea or coffee at the Sydney Park Kiosk on Saturday 31 August 2024.

We can’t wait to see you there! Register now!

In this session, Brett Garth and Eve Dordhain discuss when legal professional privilege will attach to communications with in-house lawyers, and set out some simple and practical steps that can be taken by in-house lawyers to ensure that privilege is attracted and maintained.

The session will provide a quick refresher on the fundamentals of legal professional privilege, however the focus is on practical tips, tricks and traps to keep in mind when dealing with legal matters in-house.

The topics covered in this session include:
   +  the nature and purpose of legal professional privilege;
   +  what communications are privileged;
   +  how privilege may be lost;
   +  dealing with privilege issues arising in the course of a dispute/proceedings;
   +  special considerations for in-house lawyers;
   +  tips, tricks and traps – what to do and what not to do; and
   +  practical examples and case studies.

The CPD event will be followed by a some drinks to celebrate the end of the financial year and welcoming a new year with your in-house colleagues!