Australian Western Standard Time

Doors Open at 6:15pm

 

Kick off the new year in style at the 2025: Welcome Back Soirée, an exclusive evening for ACC Australia WA members, ACC friends, and VIP guests. Proudly sponsored by Mills Oakley Perth and hosted by ACC Australia WA Division, this is the ultimate way to celebrate, connect, and toast to the year ahead!

Picture this: a stunning venue, flowing drinks, delectable canapés, and the chance to mingle with some of Western Australia’s sharpest legal minds. Whether you’re catching up with old friends or making new connections, this soirée promises the perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and meaningful networking.

As a leading Australia firm in a broad range of corporate and government legal services, including workplace relations, corporate/commercial, property and litigation, Mills Oakley is proud to support this celebration of the in-house legal community. Together, we’ll raise a glass to new opportunities, shared success, and a thriving network of legal professionals.

📅 Date: Thursday, 13 February 2025
🕒 Time: 6:15 pm
📍 Location: Copia, 190 St Georges Tce, Perth WA ; behind RM Williams Store)

Don’t miss out on this memorable evening—reserve your spot today and join us for a night of celebration, connection, and great vibes. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!

The occurrence of a workplace fatality or cyber attack is one of the most immediate critical situations a business can face. The steps taken in the initial hours and days will often determine the course of the matter well into the future.  

We invite you to an exclusive roundtable luncheon hosted by Mills Oakley and tailored for General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers on 7 November 2024 in a private dining room at Perth’s prestigious Post Restaurant, starting at 12:15pm for a 12:30pm lunch.

Mills Oakley partners Rob Humphreys (WHS) and Jason Symons (Cyber Risk), alongside Donna Charlesworth, General Counsel & Risk Manager at Talison Lithium, will lead an informal but insightful conversation on how organisations can best respond to these critical incidents to ensure the best possible outcomes from a difficult time.

Held under Chatham House Rules, this roundtable offers a rare opportunity for candid, off-the-record discussions with peers in a relaxed, intimate setting, allowing for the sharing of experiences, insights and strategies.

Seats are strictly limited due to the private dining room capacity. Once allocated, a waitlist will be created for those interested. RSVP promptly to secure your place.
 

Doors Open at 6:15pm

 

🚨 Breaking News! Association of Corporate Counsel Australia WA’s 2024 Year End Cocktail Party is SOLD OUT! 🚨

We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s event has officially reached capacity! A huge thank you to our incredible sponsor, Elevate (Val Pitt & Bríd Heffernan), for helping to make this unforgettable evening possible! 🥂✨

Didn’t secure a ticket? Don’t worry—you can still join the waitlist by emailing us at ausevents@accglobal.com Spots may open up, so add your name to the waitlist to get the chance to join us for an unforgettable evening as we toast to the close of another successful year at ACC WA’s 2024 Year-End Cocktail Party, proudly sponsored by Elevate. Held in the stunning Cape Arid Rooms at the iconic State Buildings, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow in-house lawyers, celebrate your accomplishments, and raise a glass to the year ahead. With its elegant heritage architecture and central location, the State Buildings set the perfect backdrop for a night of networking, festive drinks, and great conversation.

Mark your calendar: Thursday, 12 December 2024, with doors opening at 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for an engaging and practical session exploring the evolving ESG landscape in Australia and how to assist your organisation to navigate compliance. In this panel-style discussion, our experts will unpack key regulatory developments impacting your role as in-house counsel, providing strategic insights on how to work with other functions in your organisation to achieve your organisation’s ESG objectives.

   •    Mandatory climate-related financial disclosures and sustainability reporting 
   •    Recent changes in anti-bribery and corruption laws 
   •    Modern slavery and anti-money laundering updates
   •    Avoiding greenwashing and bluewashing risks

You’ll leave this session with actionable takeaways and a deeper understanding of the ESG-related risks and opportunities your organisation faces. Don't miss this opportunity to engage directly with our experienced panel of legal experts and gain valuable perspectives on this critical and rapidly evolving area.

Join the ACC Western Australia Committee and your fellow ACC members and peers for this event, including drinks and networking opportunities, hosted by Piper Alderman.

Back by Popular Demand – 2024 Canine Coffee Connect!
Proudly Sponsored by Mills Oakley

Our annual ACC WA Division Canine Coffee Connect is back, and it's set to be better than ever! 

Join us on Saturday, 19 October 2024, at 9:30 AM AWST at The Beach Bar at City Beach for one of our most beloved community events. Mingle with fellow ACC WA members, sip on a complimentary coffee, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors with your family and furry companions.

Thanks to our generous sponsor, Mills Oakley, this event is once again free to attend, and it’s open to everyone! 

Bring your well-behaved pups (leash required) and your family along for a relaxing morning. The Beach Bar, with its family-friendly atmosphere and nearby playground, makes it an ideal spot for both kids and dogs. If you’re feeling extra cozy, bring a picnic rug and soak up the sun, or take a stroll to the South City Beach Dog Beach before or after our coffee event.

Please RSVP by Thursday, 17 October 2024, and let us know:
   +  Your beverage order for yourself and each and of your family
   +  How many family members will attend
   +  Your dog’s name(s) 

Don’t miss out on one of our most popular events of the year! Spots fill quickly, so be sure to secure yours today for a morning of connection, community, and canine joy.

As an in-house lawyer, your success hinges on your ability to navigate complex relationships, balance legal obligations with business priorities, and communicate effectively with time-poor, results-driven stakeholders. But what if you could elevate your communication skills to not only inform but also captivate, influence, and build lasting trust?

Join us for The Art of Client Whispering – Building Trust Through Effective Communication, a highly practical and interactive panel session designed to equip you with the tools to enhance your influence, keep stakeholders engaged, and deliver legal advice that truly resonates.

Led by facilitator Irene Kuo, this session will explore how to master key communication challenges, including how to say "no" without damaging relationships, uncover what truly drives your stakeholders, and ensure everyone walks away from a conversation with crystal-clear understanding. Featuring insights from Frances Hoskins, Belinda Wong (with more expert panelists to be announced), you’ll also gain strategies to adapt to modern communication challenges—like managing short attention spans in a world dominated by social media.

Why Attend?
  +  Unlock the secret to saying "no" without losing trust
  +  Learn how to keep your audience engaged and make legal advice accessible
  +  Gain strategies for navigating short attention spans and fast-paced environments
  +  Ensure clarity in every conversation, avoiding misinterpretation or confusion

This session goes beyond theory, offering real-world examples, practical tips, and opportunities to engage with industry leaders and peers. Whether you're looking to refine your communication skills or build stronger relationships with your stakeholders, this session will arm you with the confidence and tools you need to communicate like a trusted advisor.

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your communication skills and elevate your influence within your organisation.

(Doors open from 4:00pm)
 

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion as the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Australia WA Division and The Piddington Society present Meet the GCs: Meet the GCs: Navigating a Post-Crisis Landscape .

This event brings together some of Western Australia’s most esteemed in-house lawyers to delve into the complexities of managing responses to high-stakes situations.

Aimed at in-house lawyers, solicitors aspiring to transition into in-house roles, and law students, this session will explore the multifaceted challenges faced by General Counsels (GCs) in the aftermath of a crisis. Our distinguished panellists Emma Soacter, General Counsel, Gold Corporation Paul Shillington, General Counsel, Mitsui E&P Australia, and Jessica Dyer, General Counsel, Alinta Energy will share their insights on:

   +  Crisis Management: Strategies and approaches for handling the aftermath of significant challenges.
   +  Internal Collaboration: How GCs engage with various departments within their organisations to navigate crises.
   +  External Partnerships: The dynamics of working with external lawyers during and after a crisis.
   +  Ethical Considerations: The ethical dilemmas and decisions that GCs encounter in these high-stakes situations.

This event promises to provide valuable perspectives and practical advice for those looking to understand the complex role of a GC (and in-house lawyers more broadly) in crisis situations.

Attendees are eligible for 1 CPD point, 0.5 in CA2 (Professional Skills) and 0.5 in CA3 (Ethics and Professional Responsibility)

The ACC Australia WA Division, in collaboration with MinterEllison and Thomson Reuters, invites you to an exclusive showcase of Thomson Reuters' CoCounsel software—a game-changing tool designed to revolutionise legal operations. Tailored for in-house lawyers, this session will provide insights into how AI-driven solutions can empower legal teams, streamline processes, and deliver unparalleled outcomes.

Special Guest Presenter:
We are excited to feature Ryan Groff, Senior Solutions Consultant at Thomson Reuters, as a special presenter. Based in the US, Ryan consults large corporations across the country to deliver successful CoCounsel implementations. He will share his unique insights with Perth’s in-house legal community directly, offering a global perspective in optimising legal operations with AI.
Ryan Groff is a specialist in corporate in-house counsel and an experienced US lawyer. He also lectures on law at New England Law | Boston, where he pioneered the school's first course on law, innovation, and technology. Ryan holds graduate degrees with honours in law and theology and resides north of Boston with his family.

Why Attend?
•    Immersive Demonstration: Witness CoCounsel in action and discover its potential to transform your legal operations.
•    Expert Insights: Gain valuable perspectives from Ryan Groff on implementing AI in large corporations.
•    Peer Networking: Connect with fellow in-house counsel and industry leaders.
•    Interactive Q&A: Engage directly with Ryan Groff and other AI experts.

Agenda:
    3:00 PM:  Arrival and Registration
    3:15 PM:  Welcome and Opening Remarks
    3:20 PM:  The Future of Legal Ops: CoCounsel Demonstration
    3:50 PM:  Strategic Applications in the In-House Setting: Panel Discussion
    4:15 PM:  Networking and Refreshments

In response to Australia's newly enacted Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Act 2024 (Cth), the demands on corporate compliance have intensified. To address these challenges, the Association of Corporate Counsel WA Division, in partnership with MinterEllison Perth Office, present a critical panel session: "Compliance Under Scrutiny: Adapting to Australia's Rigorous Foreign Bribery Reforms".

The session, facilitated by Mike Hales, Office Managing Partner of MinterEllison Perth Office, will feature expert insights from:
•    Louise Seery, General Counsel, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; and 
•    Mark Lewis, Head of Compliance, Woodside Energy Ltd
•    Jon Greenaway, Market Director, Asia Pacific Security Risk Management, Ethics, Compliance & Governance Investigations, Litigation and Forensics

Our panel will explore the stringent requirements set forth by the new legislation, particularly focusing on the heightened scrutiny of corporate compliance programs and the pivotal role of 'adequate procedures' in safeguarding against liability. Key discussions will include the expanded scope of foreign bribery offences, the implications of absolute liability, and the absence of a deferred prosecution regime, all of which collectively raise the stakes for Australian and international businesses alike.

Attendees will gain actionable strategies to adapt their compliance frameworks to meet these rigorous new standards, ensuring they are well-prepared to mitigate the increased risks of prosecution under this transformative legal reform.

Agenda:
  4:30 PM:  Registration and Networking
  4:45 PM:  Panel Discussion Begins, facilitated by Mike Hales
  5:30 PM:  Q&A Session and Closing Remarks
  5:45 PM:  Networking Reception

This event is essential for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, and corporate leaders seeking to fortify their defences in response to Australia’s enhanced foreign bribery laws.  We look forward to your participation in this timely and important discussion.

Join your ACC WA Committee members, Piper Alderman, and your fellow in-house colleagues for a social networking event to reflect on the past fiscal year and look ahead to what’s to come on Wednesday, 19 June, 2024, at Spring on Queen.