Government In-House Counsel Day 2021

Time: 8.30 – 8.55

Registration

Time: 8.55 – 9.00

Welcoming address

Speaker: MC: Simon Blake (Client Engagement Specialist, Proximity)

Session 1 | Time: 9.00 – 10am

Thoughts from the top: what Secretaries value most from in-house legal teams

Panelists: Kerri Hartland (Principal Advisor, Proximity), Glenys Beauchamp (Principal Advisor, Proximity), Andrew Cappie-Wood  (Advisory Board Member – Proximity)
Moderator: Simon Blake (Client Engagement Specialist, Proximity)

The decision-making matrix Secretaries face is complex, with multiple factors to be taken into account. How legal advice fits into this matrix can vary from agency to agency, depending on the role of General Counsel, the complexity of the regulatory or service environment and the approach of the Secretary. At the end of the day, legal advice is one of many things that need to be considered. In this panel session, former Secretaries Kerri Hartland, Glenys Beauchamp and Andrew Cappie-Wood will discuss issues and emerging expectations and what they value most from high performing in-house legal teams.

Core Area 2 — Practice management and business skills
1 point

Session 2 | Time: 10.00 – 10.45

Synthetic media and deep fakes: the fallout for governments

Presenter/s: Paula Gonzalez (Group Manager – Client Engagement, Proximity)

The threat of deep fake technology looms large for governments and democracies around the globe.  The terrifying pace of innovation that makes people say and do things they never said or did poses so many threats on so many fronts that governments have been scrambling to get on the front foot.  What are the risks to you, to society, to democracy and can the law and regulators respond quickly and effectively?

Core Area 4 — Substantive law and procedural law
0.75 point

Session 3 | Time: 11.00 – 11.30

Beyond good cop, bad cop: negotiation strategies and techniques

Presenter/s: Sarah Colman (Special Advisor) and Ingrid Bremers (Senior Advisor)

What should you do if you hit an impasse in negotiations? How do you handle dirty tactics from the other side? What can you do if you are negotiating with someone who is not acting rationally or commercially?

Negotiations rarely go to plan, and you can usually expect a few curve-balls along the way, but there are negotiation techniques that ensure you’re as prepared as you can be.

In this session, Sarah and Ingrid will share some war stories from negotiations, and discuss the strategies and practical tips that achieve successful outcomes.

Core Area 4 — Substantive law and procedural law
0.5 point

Session 4 | Time: 11.30 – 12.15

Contract management: different perspectives

Presenter/s: David Mahony (Expert Consultant), Su-Ann Tan Burke (Special Advisor) and Declan Norrie (Advisor)

Would you like to see contract management from your customer’s perspective? Discover tips and traps experienced by former General Counsel and lawyers who have worked in Government commercial teams. You’ll see why one size does not fit all and that there are many ways to optimise your organisation’s approach to managing its suppliers, supply chain and contract portfolio.

Core Area 3 — Professional skills
0.75 point

Session 5 | Time: 12.15 – 12.45

How do lawyers and non-lawyers communicate?

Presenter/s: John Jeston (Principal Advisor) and Jason Riley (Advisor)

Everyone communicates uniquely. There are however a number of modalities that, once understood, will assist you communicate more effectively and with more understanding and respect. These skills apply not only to your colleagues, but also to your family and friends. Learn about these and how apply them in the workplace and make yourself a more effective lawyer.

Core Area 3 — Professional skills
0.5 point

Session 6 | Time: 1.30 – 2.00

Effective grants administration in uncertain times

Presenter/s: Nicole Elliott (Senior Advisor) and Sarah Byrne (Principal Advisor)

Administering grants is complex, challenging and rewarding. However, in uncertain times (namely budget repair, recession and a lack of workforce skills) administering grants can become your golden ticket to receiving a visit from the ANAO. Government is making a significant amount of grant funds available to repair the budget and stabilise the economy, reaching sectors spoilt for choice or inexperienced in delivering grants. Conversely, there may be current grant programs deemed not necessary to deliver against government policy which need to be terminated.

In this session, Nicole Elliott and Sarah Byrne share their war stories and provide handy hints for legal teams when advising policy and program teams on how to navigate emerging risks and complexities with administering grants and grant programs in uncertain times.

Core Area 3 — Professional skills
0.5 point

Session 7 | Time: 2.00 – 2.30

Decision making and staying focused

Presenter/s: James Suter (Senior Advisor) and Tara Munro-Mobbs (Principal Advisor)

Making regulatory decisions that can adversely affect the rights of others is a tricky business at the best of times.  The key to a successful regulatory outcome is staying focussed on the ultimate objective during the decision-making phase.  But how do you do this when new facts are constantly coming to light and the political environment is highly charged?  The potential of straying into dangerous waters is high, and the Courts won’t reward you if you do.

Core Area 4 — Substantive law and procedural law
0.5 point

Session 8 | Time: 2.30 – 3.15

When all else fails, read the cases: administrative law update

Presenter/s: Emeritus Professor Robin Creyke AO (Expert Consultant) and John Yoon (Advisor)

Administrative law cases from 2020 and their importance for today’s practice in law and government.

Core Area 4 — Substantive law and procedural law
0.75 point

Session 9 | Time: 3.15 – 3.45

Life isn’t fair, so why care about probity?

Presenter/s: Bruce Brown (Expert Consultant) and Irene Ghobreal (Special Advisor

Probity is all about a procurement/grant process being defensible, equitable and fair. Bruce and Irene will discuss emerging probity issues and provide key
takeaways so you’re better informed for your next process.

Core Area 4 — Substantive law and procedural law
0.5 point

Session 10 | Time: 4.00 – 5.00

Hypo-Ethical II (worst.day.ever)

Presenter/s:Bronwyn Fagan (Principal Advisor), Simon Taylor (Special Advisor), Elizabeth Reardon (Special Advisor) and Radhika Bhatia (Advisor)

We all know how to handle ethical dilemmas in theory. But in practice they are rarely so straightforward, especially for in-house lawyers. Follow along as our panel responds to some pretty awful (yet strangely familiar) predicaments – and learn how to keep your integrity – and practising certificate – without losing your job.

Core Area 1 — Legal ethics and professional responsibility
1 point