As InfoTrack’s Country Manager, Brendan is focused on overseeing all company operations across Australia. He is driven by creating an inspirational work environment for InfoTrack's people, achieving success for the company’s clients, and ensuring consistent and long-term growth across all facets of the business.
Brendan Smart has worked within the legal technology industry for over 12 years. A company veteran, Brendan first joined the InfoTrack Group of Companies in 2010.
Now as the Country Manager, Brendan and his team of experienced Executives have a core focus on leading and guiding their teams to support clients, pioneer new markets and set the company strategy for Australia.
Brendan is a strong believer in clearly communicating the game plan across the business. He actively monitors performance and supports InfoTrack’s teams with a focus on achieving business goals and plays a pivotal role in expediting revenue growth for InfoTrack.
Caryn leads the Gilbert + Tobin Legal Service Innovation team and G+T Innovate. These teams provide specialised services to support Gilbert + Tobin’s legal service delivery, and innovate to deliver new tools and services benefiting Gilbert + Tobin’s practice and clients. Caryn’s role encompasses responsibility for over 60 lawyers and business professionals working across Transformation, Legal Informatics and Data, Legal Project Management, Knowledge Management and GTDocs.
Caryn was named an ILTA 2024 Influential Woman in Legal Technology, “Most Innovative Changemaker” at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific 2022, “Innovator of the Year” at the Australian Law Awards 2022 and “Innovator of the Year” at the Partner of the Year Awards 2021. Under her leadership, Gilbert + Tobin was also named “Most Innovative Law Firm” at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific in 2024.
Caryn is the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board to the Centre for Legal Innovation and is a director for various not-for-profit organisations.
Catherine is Thomson Reuters’ Senior Director, AI & LegalTech for APAC and the Middle East. She has over 20 years’ experience in legal information and technology, in roles ranging across legal editorial, commercial management and strategic client relationships. Catherine is a trained lawyer and is passionate about supporting the legal profession with AI-driven legal transformation and accelerating the adoption of trusted generative AI skills in the industry.
Cutest little kid in townCatriona is the Chief Legal and Transformation Officer at Domain, and also holds the roles of Company Secretary and Privacy Officer.
Catriona has been with Domain for almost 7 years. She leads a team of 16 legal professionals responsible for legal and regulatory compliance, privacy and data governance, digital product review, marketing collateral compliance, litigation as well as M&A and corporate governance matters. She broadened her remit in 2022 to include ‘Transformation’, establishing Domain’s Project Governance & Advisory Team to support the delivery of Domain’s key strategic projects including M&A business integration.
In her personal life, Catriona is Mum to 9 year old twins and is an enthusiastic long distance ultramarathon runner. She has completed several ultra marathons in the Blue Mountains and in New Zealand and recently completed a 4 days stage race on the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory.
Catriona believes in living life to the max and has set herself big personal goals that have built her grit and resilience. This also require her to have a firm eye on rest and recovery to ensure that she doesn’t burn out.
David (He/Him) is a Legal Counsel and Legal Chapter Lead at Telstra. Managing a team of 8, he is responsible for the legal side of all things AI, scams, enterprise products, marketing and sustainability.
He is a member of Telstra’s Legal and Regulatory leadership team, sits on Telstra’s Risk Council for AI and Data and is a member of Telstra’s Climate and Sustainability Working Group. He is committed to making an impact for both Telstra and its customers – through driving change, innovation and efficiencies – and is passionate about mental health, people leadership and First Nations advocacy. During his time in-house he has been a finalist at the Corporate Counsel of the Year Awards and the Plain Language Awards (Australia and New Zealand).
He previously worked at a top-tier firm in Sydney and in the Community Legal sector.
When David isn’t logged-on in legal mode, he runs a community choir (Inner West Voices). He lives and works by his values of curiosity, creativity, community and compassion.
Elizabeth Briggs is the Director of Legal for PayPal Australia. She is a strategic and pragmatic financial services General Counsel and group senior executive experienced in driving strategic results across APAC, the UK and USA. Elizabeth is also an experienced company secretary, having acted for regulated, listed and non-listed entities for more than 15 years.
Three-time Premiership Winning NRL Coach - Ivan Cleary is one of the most successful NRL coaches of the modern era. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to nurturing talent has helped him cement the ‘Cleary’ name in Australian sporting folklore.
He took the reins at Penrith in 2019, inheriting a team that grappled with inconsistency, however presented much promise with a talented young core, and strong junior group that would quickly emerge into the first-grade side.
Instilling a culture of discipline, comradery, and effort, Cleary had created a strong, cohesive culture centred around community, led by his son, Nathan, that has quickly become one of the most dominant forces in the NRL.
Since Cleary’s return to the club, he has posted an impressive 77%-win rate, with Penrith most recently winning their third premiership in a row, a feat that has not been achieved since the infamous Parramatta Eels side that dominated the 1980’s.
He is signed on with the club until the end of 2027, where he looks to continue to prolong this successful run.
The 2020 NRL Coach of the Year has also had stints as the head coach of the Wests Tigers, and the New Zealand Warriors, where he led their side to their second ever, and most recent Grand Final berth in 2011.
Outside of the coaches' box, Ivan has had more experience than most on the field, having played 186 NRL matches across the Manly Sea Eagles, North Sydney Bears, Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors playing Fullback and Centre. He stands amongst an exclusive group of 56 NRL greats to have reached the 1,000-career points mark, a testament to his skill, and prowess on the field.
A great family man, Ivan and his wife have raised 4 children, Milaya, Nathan, India and Jett.
Cleary has solidified himself as one of the game’s all-time greats and will continue to leave his stamp on the Rugby League world in the years to come.
Known for his relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to nurturing talent, Ivan has solidified the 'Cleary' name in Australian sporting history. His leadership has fostered a culture of discipline, camaraderie, and effort, exemplifying him as a dominant force in the NRL.
Bringing a wealth of experience and wisdom, Ivan, an advocate for culture, leadership, and community, shares insights drawn from his journey as both player and coach.
Currently residing in Penrith, Ivan is eager to share the steps in his path to success in overcoming failure and adversity. As a keynote speaker Ivan brings an unparalleled expertise, motivation, and winning mindset to his audiences.
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
Johanna O’Rourke was appointed Group General Counsel and Company Secretary in January 2023, having acted in the role since October 2022. In this role, she is responsible for ASX’s Legal, Company Secretarial and Regulatory Policy functions.
Johanna joined ASX in January 2021 as Deputy General Counsel, working across ASX's business and functional lines with a particular focus on ASX's corporate, strategy, technology and data, listings and issuer functions.
Prior to joining ASX, Johanna was General Counsel – Commercial & Technology at QBE Insurance Group. She has 20 years’ experience practising law in-house and in top tier law firms in New York and Australia.
Julia Banks is an author, leadership consultant, keynote speaker, opinion writer, and lawyer-who runs her own consultancy business.
An established thought leader–Julia Banks’ broad experience spans across the public and private sectors, her term in federal politics and her consulting business. Julia’s expertise and advocacy focusses on leadership, safe, respectful and positive workplace cultures, governance and risk and issues management.
Julia Banks has served in the Australian Federal Parliament as both a government and independent MP, and has held General Counsel, Executive Director, Company Secretary and Board member roles in global blue-chip companies, as well as several non-executive director and advisory roles in Australian organisations.
Julia has led large and small teams and worked in boardrooms and courtrooms predominantly in the corporate, commercial, governance, risk and issues management, and diversity and inclusion space.
During her federal parliamentary term Julia served as a government MP and then as an independent MP during which time her primary areas of advocacy at a national level were in relation to gender and cultural equality, climate change action and humanitarian issues.
Julia’s consulting and speaking work across workplace sectors has harnessed her deep understanding and ability to tailor her consulting work, keynote speeches and panel discussions across workplace sectors-ranging from the law, manufacturing, professional and finance services, construction, consumer marketing and retail, sport, academia, mining, public sector organisations and local, state and federal levels of government.
An experienced keynote speaker, panel member and moderator, Julia also regularly authors opinion pieces which have been published in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The Saturday Paper & The New Daily and appears in radio and television, and mainstream media interviews regarding current affairs.
Julia's bestselling book ‘Power Play, Breaking through bias barriers and boys’ clubs’- part memoir’ meets resource guide for those aspiring to leadership positions received excellent reviews and was nominated in the 2022 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Julia Banks graduated in Arts & Law from Monash University in Melbourne Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Governance Institute
As Gilchrist Connell’s Chief Operating Officer, Kirk is a highly experienced and innovative leader, with full executive oversight of the firm’s critical business support functions including ITC services, infrastructure, business operations and risk.
This lead strategic role is essential to the sustainability of the firm’s key operations and the consistent delivery of high-quality legal services.
In his capacity as COO, Kirk sets priorities and direction across project management, cybersecurity, network and operations, telecommunications, and major applications acquisition and management.
Kirk is a key member of the firm’s executive team and is committed to remaining at the forefront of innovative developments and opportunities.
Mark Bouris is an Australian entrepreneur who has been innovating for years, challenging the business landscape with disruptive models that help Australians succeed. Having built his reputation as a finance specialist taking on Australia’s banks, his unique brand of charisma & curiosity sees his influence cut across multiple worlds. From businesses large and small, to politics and sport, Mark pays forward his knowledge and experience, to help grow and nurture the next generation of Australian success stories.
Best known as the founder of ‘Wizard Home Loans’, Australia’s second largest non-bank mortgage lender, which he sold to General Electric in 2004. Mark is now the Executive Chairman of Yellow Brick Road, where he continues his mission to help Australians access their dream homes.
Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his significant service to the finance industry, his sharp financial commentary and trademark “tell it straight” attitude resonates with everyday Australians, and led to his foray into television. The former host of the Nine Network’s The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice, as well as The Mentor on the Seven Network, Mark’s time on Australian screens cemented his reputation as a trusted voice in finance and business.
Making use of his media platform and decades of experience in business, Mark is committed to sharing the insights and knowledge of Australia’s leading business minds through the Mentored Platform, which helps small business owners and entrepreneurs come together, grow, and succeed.
He pays forward his knowledge and that of others to Australian entrepreneurs through his podcasts, The Mentor and Straight Talk, original series, and his books, What It Takes and Rise.
Away from business, Mark sits on the board of the Sydney Roosters, and looks forward to the Roosters lifting the premiership trophy this season.
Miki Simonovski co-founded the FeeSynergy group of companies in 2007. FeeSynergy is today the leading provider of debtor management software, payments and finance solutions to legal and accounting firms across Australia and New Zealand.
Prior to establishing FeeSynergy, Miki held senior roles in a diverse group of companies such as GE Capital, Willis, Boral and AMP. He has extensive in operations and risk management, accounting and finance, business analysis, project management, marketing, business development, staff and human resource management.
As a FeeSynergy director, Miki is a well-known and respected thought leader within the professional services markets.
Professor Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon) is the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services. He advises leading professional firms, in-house legal departments, and governments and judiciaries around the world. His main area of expertise is the future of professional service and specifically the way that AI and other technologies are changing the work of lawyers.
He is President of the Society for Computers and Law and, for 25 years, was Technology Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England. He is the best-selling author of ten books, including Tomorrow’s Lawyers (2013, 2017, 2023), Online Courts and the Future of Justice (2019, 2021), and The Future of the Professions (with D Susskind, 2015, 2022).
His work has been translated into 18 languages. In the 1980s, Richard wrote his PhD on AI and the law at Oxford University and then co-developed the world’s first commercial AI system for lawyers.
Richard is the Managing Principal of Gilchrist Connell and has been in that role since the firm’s inception in 2008. During that time the firm has grown from a 2 office, 25 lawyer firm to a national firm with 5 offices and 140 lawyers, dedicated to serving all parts of the insurance sector.
Richard has also maintained the insurance practise he has been cultivating since his admission to practise in 1988. Richard’s focus is advising insurers on professional indemnity, construction, product liability, and directors’ and officers’ liability, as well as advising on claims and risk management issues. He has acted on matters in all Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand from his base in Adelaide.
Outside work, and in the interests of avoiding burnout, Richard has recently walked 1000km in Spain and is very tired.
Tyrilly is an experienced senior in-house lawyer with over a decade of experience working within in-house legal teams for multinational, national corporate and also government entities, and is CIO Magazine’s 10 Most Influential Women in Legal Services for 2024. Prior to joining Thomson Reuters, she held the position of Counsel for IBM with a focus on technology contracting and data protection laws, and managed lawyers practising in the ANZ and Asia Pacific legal teams. Tyrilly currently sits on the NSW Law Society’s Privacy and Data Protection Committee and is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel Australia (ACC), the In-house Counsel Women’s Network (ICWN) and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (iAPP). She received the In-house Counsel Certified (ICC) designation from the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Credentialing Institute.
Zahn Nel is a seasoned professional in the legal technology space, currently fulfilling the role as the Regional Vice President of Sales, Australia and New Zealand at Actionstep. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in legal technology, Zahn has become a trusted expert in providing true cloud-based technology solutions and innovation to law firms.
During his decade-long stint in London, Zahn made significant contributions by working with firms on centralised bidding initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for professional service organisations with a global footprint.
Prior to his role at Actionstep, Zahn held a Director position at FilePro Legal Practice Management Software, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s direction. His wealth of experience has made him a sought-after speaker, and Zahn regularly shares his insights on various legal technology topics at conferences and seminars. With a track record of successfully navigating the fast-paced development of the legal tech landscape, Zahn Nel continues to drive innovation and excellence in the field.
