Balancing business requirements and unintended employment law risks.

We invite you to our final webinar on Tuesday 5 December on Commercial Contracts: Avoiding Employment Law Risks when Contracting with Third Parties.

Independent contractor agreements and services agreements raise a number of employment related matters. Balancing these issues with the desire to maintain discretion over requirements to be met by individuals who are providing the services needs to be carefully addressed. Avoiding the creation of unintended employer liability is a risk that businesses need to consider when looking to engage individuals under different, often short-term, arrangements.

Partner Lucienne Gleeson and Special Counsel Jarrod Bayliss-McCulloch, will take a look at scenarios for independent contractor and services contracts where the companies seeking these services may need to rethink the discretions they seek. This session will examine:

• terms customers seek to include in independent contractor and services contracts raising an employer liability risk;
• contract drafting tips drawing on recent cases on independent contractors;
• allocation of work health and safety responsibility in contracts in light of joint legislative responsibility; and
• employer liability considerations for a business under outsourced off-shore arrangements.

Competitors interact in many ways, including through strategic alliances, joint ventures, M&A processes and industry associations. Even where these dealings are pro-competitive, they may require careful management to navigate potential significant competition law risks.

This session, hosted by Gilbert + Tobin’s market leading Competition + Regulation team in conjunction with ACC Australia, will provide in-house counsel with tips to manage competition risk, and avoid cartel or other anti-competitive conduct. It will explore: 

• information sharing and concerted practices risks, including ‘gun jumping’ risk in the context of M&A activities;
• how to structure and manage joint venture arrangements;
• consortium bidding;
• risks associated with multiple supply channels where customers may also be competitors; and
• how to safely engage in industry associations.

Cyber-crime is a rapidly growing and evolving issue for businesses large and small. Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly daring and their methods are increasingly sophisticated. From small scale "phishing" to handling major data breaches, commercial organisations and their lawyers need to keep up with developments in this rapidly changing area in order to manage the risk that it presents. That risk includes the potential for legal liability to those whose private information they hold such as customers, as well as to shareholders and others who can be affected by an attack on their organisation. This session will examine the potential liability that commercial organisations may be exposed to in the aftermath of an attack as well as potential responses to a major data breach. It will also examine the expectations of regulators, Courts and insurers as to ways in which cyber risk might be managed.

In-house lawyers face challenges in assisting their Boards and Executives to manage risks in their corporate environment.  

Thomson Geer Partner, Bronwyn Lincoln will present on managing the corporate risks in this changing world by addressing and navigating rapidly developing technology, understanding social license; and responding to climate change challenges. This presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with guest panellists Brenton Cox, Managing Director, Adelaide Airport and Francis Placanica, Legal Consultant, Liberty Steel/Simec Group and moderator Shannon Emrick, Director, ACC.

This session is the perfect opportunity to engage and network with other in-house counsels whilst leaving with in-depth knowledge on the tools to manage future risks.

Since December 2022, under the Sex Discrimination Act, businesses have had a positive duty to eliminate, as far as possible, sexual harassment & discrimination (amongst other things) within the workplace. 

Starting in December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will have new powers to investigate compliance with the positive duty as well as take enforcement proceedings against non-compliant businesses. 

As the duty applies to all organisations, regardless of size, everyone needs to have a strong handle on what the obligations are and how to comply with them.

Join Joe Mullavey and Charli Barclay at Page Seager Lawyers for a discussion on what the “positive duty” means and an overview of what is required to make sure your business is compliant and ready for the Commission’s new investigation and enforcement powers.


Canapes and nibbles from 5:00 PM 

High profile corporate crises in recent years have shone a spotlight on the role and responsibilities of directors and officers to oversee the management of a range of legal and reputational risks, which might impact both the company and themselves.

This CPD event, which is being hosted by Gilbert + Tobin in conjunction with ACC Australia, will bring inhouse counsel up to speed on recent developments in director and officer duties and liabilities. It will cover:

• a refresher on directors’ duties and D+O liability;
• changing expectations from a range of stakeholders, including investors and the broader community, and the priorities of regulators;
• issues presented by cyber-attacks and data breaches; and
• issues with ‘greenwashing’.

Piper Alderman invites you to an insightful CPD session that delves into the dynamic world of smart contracts and their impact on the legal and business landscape. 

This session is designed to provide in-house counsel with a comprehensive understanding of the role of smart contracts in a rapidly evolving business environment.

During this session Piper Alderman IP & Technology Partner, Craig Subocz, and Steven Pettigrove, Special Counsel in the Blockchain Group, will cover:

• Embracing technological disruption in your role as in-house counsel
• The evolution of smart contracts
• Legal challenges and opportunities
• Blockchain technology unveiled
• Real-world use cases 

This is a great opportunity to network with fellow in-house counsel and gain a competitive edge in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Following the presentation, you are invited to participate in a Gin Blending Masterclass.

CLE LUNCHEON:
Not So Artificial Risks for Users & Creators of AI

Thursday, September 12th
11:30am – 1:30pm MDT

11:30am Registration & Lunch Buffet
12 Noon CLE Presentation
1:00pm Conclusion & Questions
$20 Members | $30 Non-members
One (1) CLE Credit Pending. 

REGISTER NOW!
 

Tamayo Restaurant | 14th Street & Larimer | Larimer Square
 

Join Stinson LLP and ACC for a discussion on techniques for reducing legal risks that are useful for both users and creators of AI.  Presenters will also cover the new Colorado Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence law.

In this session, in-house counsel will learn:

• How to protect intellectual property and confidentiality when using AI

• How to address risks and rewards in the use of AI programming tools by software developers

• Advantages of paid AI tool licenses

• How to address algorithmic discrimination by AI systems in light of new Colorado legislation

PRESENTERS

• Jeffrey Brown CIPP, General Counsel - Privacy, Data & AI Governance, Global Privacy Officer of Telus International

• Judith Araujo, Attorney – Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence & IP at Stinson LLP

• Steve Cosentino CIPP, Partner – Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence & IP at Stinson LLP

COMPLIMENTARY Valet Parking ($15 Value) 
ACCESSIBLE AT 15th & LARIMER COLORADO VALETS STAND

Silly season is typically a fun and joyous time for employees to celebrate the year that has gone by. However, the celebrations can quickly go sour when businesses do not actively prepare for any risks.

This interactive session will explain:

• the laws around out of office behaviour and employee conduct;
• practical tips on how to prepare staff for these events and other ways employers can mitigate risks; and
• how to manage complaints if they arise.