With a judging panel including academics, business executives, entrepreneurs and innovators, the Women in Law Awards is peer-reviewed recognition of your capabilities in law and passion for driving the industry forward.
Vice-President, General Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Officer (Capgemini Australia, New Zealand, China and Hong Kong) | GC Powerlist 2022/3 | In-house Leader 2022 | GC of the Year finalist | Equality advocate | Parent | Laughs a lot
Linda Baxter is the Director, Continuing Professional Development and part of the senior management team at Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Having previously been in private practice followed by a regulatory investigative role, Linda also writes materials and trains legal practitioners in Ethics & Professional Conduct.
Claire is a senior lawyer and professional coach, based on the east coast of Australia. Claire has over 30 years of experience gained through senior management appointments with some of the world’s largest companies and at top-tier law firms. As well as practising law, Claire is an internationally qualified executive coach (PCC) and in 2018 she founded a global professional coaching practice in which she coaches private and corporate clients, specialising in senior lawyers and executives, to empower them to move their career and leadership dreams into active, actionable, pursuits. Outside of her executive life, Claire is a non-executive director of multiple ASX-listed companies and is an Industry Professional Fellow with the University of Technology Sydney, School of Law.
Claire has been recognised as one of Australia’s best lawyers and female executives, including having been awarded the “Excellence Award for Women in Law”, “General Counsel of the Year”, “Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia & New Zealand”, “Mentor of the Year” and was featured in SmartCompany's International Women's Day Showcase.
Prior to this appointment Dr Boersig worked as an Assistant Secretary in the Federal Attorney-General’s Department, responsible for a number of areas including Indigenous law and justice and human rights. Before joining the Attorney-General’s Department John practiced law in NSW, as a lawyer for the Aboriginal Legal Service and in private practice. He established the University of Newcastle Legal Centre and was Director of the Professional program in 1994. He was a part-time Presiding member of the Guardianship Tribunal for many years.
John has a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney, and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Canberra. He was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Courtney Bowie is the founder and principal of Her Lawyer, a virtual law firm for ambitious women in business. Courtney is a passionate advocate for change and has been recognised for her contributions to innovation, gender equality and mental health and wellbeing in the legal industry.
Kiri is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at TurksLegal, a specialist commercial law firm who has established a strong reputation in the insurance, commercial and banking sectors.
Kiri works closely with the Chairperson and the Board, overseeing the day to day operations of the business, as well as developing the ongoing vision for the firm's future along with creating and implementing successful strategies and systems across our 200 strong East Coast practice.
Having over 15 years of experience across a range of business critical areas including Human Resources, Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Finance and IT, Kiri is able to provide solutions which deliver a competitive edge while meeting commercial realities.
Kiri is passionate about mentoring and developing future leaders and is always willing to share her experiences both personally and professionally to assist others in their pursuits. She currently mentors a number of females who are in different stages of their career progression.
Prior to becoming CEO of TurksLegal, Kiri was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at an international accounting and business advisory firm.
Kiri’s other most recent successes have been winning Executive of the Year - 2020 Women in Law Awards and COO of the Year - 2019 Executive Awards.
Joseph Catanzariti AM is a Vice President of the Fair Work Commission, the national workplace relations tribunal.
Prior to his appointment to the Fair Work Commission, Joseph was a senior Partner of Clayton Utz and Practice Leader of the Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Practice Group. Joseph was a trusted adviser to many of Australia’s leading companies and government departments. Joseph was also a highly experienced Commercial Litigator.
Joseph is a Visiting Professorial Fellow of the School of Law and the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Work and Organisational Studies, School of Business at Sydney University.
Joseph is the Chair of the College of Law.
Joseph is also co-author of Workplace Bullying published by LexisNexis.
He has previously held the positions of President of the Law Council of Australia, President of the NSW Law Society, Chair of the Workplace Committee of the Law Society of New South Wales (2000 - 2013), and Secretary of the Industrial Relations Society of Australia (1997-2011).
Joseph was awarded Life Time Recognition, Industrial Relations Society of Australia / Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association 2011, and the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales in 2015.
Joseph is a fellow of the Academy of Law.
On 26 January 2016 Joseph was made a Member of the Order of Australia.
Ann-Maree David is an Executive Director of The College of Law, the largest provider of practice-focused legal education in Australasia. She has worked in the legal profession for over 30 years, in public and corporate sector roles and in private practice as a solicitor.
Ann-Maree has held a career-long passion for developing and delivering education and training programs to enable all involved in the delivery of legal services to thrive both personally and professionally.
In addition to leading the College of Law’s Queensland campus, Ann-Maree is Immediate Past President of Australian Women Lawyers and a Director of the Australian Gender Equality Council. She also chairs the Queensland Law Society’s Equity & Diversity Committee.
Tony Dormer is a senior adviser of a multi-discipline professional services firm that he established over 40 years ago and that merged in September 2017 to form Tricor Services (Australia) Pty Ltd www.tricorglobal.com The firm provides in-bound and out-bound business advisory, management consulting, tax and compliance, outsourced payroll and CFO services, bookkeeping, corporate secretarial services and financial investment services.
Tony’s personal specialist skills and extensive experience are around taxation services, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, corporate restructuring, as well as business planning and business development issues generally. His entrepreneurial style and ability to 'think outside the square', has enabled Tricor to provide clients with a level and style of service that is unique among business advisory and accountancy practices.
From 2007 to 2019 he was a Board Member and/or Councilor with the NSW Business Chamber. He was elected President in February 2014 and held the position of Deputy President as well as Chairman of the Audit and Compliance Committee, Chair of the Business Environment and Economics Committee within the NSW Business Chamber. He now serves as a Past President.
He was also the former Chairman of Kreston Australia and New Zealand and was previously one of eight Directors on the international board of Kreston International, a position he held for seven years. Kreston is one of the largest networks of independent accounting business advisory firms in the world.
He also serves as a non-executive director on Profit and Not for Profit Boards.
Tony is a Fellow with Chartered Accountants (FCA), Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) with the Taxation Institute of Australia.
Prior to developing his practice, he had extensive experience at General Manager level with several leading private organizations. This commercial experience is a major ingredient in his philosophy and the range of services offered by him.
He also co-authored a book on leadership titled “Born to Lead?” with Charisse Grey
Tony is available for selective Director appointments.
Nicholas brings intellectual rigour, curiosity and creativity to all his work. As a Restructuring and Insolvency Partner, Nicholas is driven by the appeal of never having to face an ordinary situation, and always needing to bring innovative and novel solutions to the table. Whether helping clients address future risks, restructure debt or operations, sell assets or navigate troubled times, he keeps the lines of communication open and brings his trademark creativity and plain speaking to problem solving.
Advising on contentious and non-contentious issues arising from corporate distress, Nicholas represents financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, distressed debt funds, creditors, debtors and company directors. He has worked across a diverse range of industries, including retail, mining, media, construction and financial services.
Nicholas is also the chairperson of KYUP! Project, a charitable organisation with the aim of ending the scourge of domestic violence and empowering the next generation to champion their safety and wellbeing.
Rebecca has advised developers and landowners on industrial, commercial and residential development projects, is on the board of Mackillop Rural Community Services and now works as general counsel at PAYCE Consolidated Limited.
Michael is a purpose driven Chief Legal Officer, Executive Leader, Board Member and Governance Professional, with multidisciplinary expertise across several different industries and sectors.
Michael is based in Sydney and is currently General Counsel and Head of Property at Sydney Fish Market. As member of the Executive Group, he is responsible for the Legal and Property Functions at Sydney Fish Market, including executive level strategic decision making in relation to commercial, operations, legal and ESG aspects of the iconic Sydney Fish Market.
Michael has a passion for pursuing excellence in the delivery of in-house legal services and exploring the future of legal services delivery by advancing the role of technology adaption and digital transformation
Cassandra is the CEO for a private family office in Saudi Arabia, and prior to this worked as a sports and corporate risk lawyer for over 14 years.
Professor Nick James is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law at Bond University. He is a former commercial lawyer and has been practising as an academic since 1996. He is passionate about legal education and the role of law schools in modern society. His areas of teaching expertise include law in context, legal theory, animal law, business law, and company law. He has won numerous awards for his teaching including a National Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, and he is the author of several leading textbooks. He has written numerous journal articles, book chapters and conference papers in the areas of legal education, critical legal theory, disruption of the legal services sector and the impacts of climate change.
Professor James is Co-Director of the Bond University Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLE), Co-Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans (CALD), President of the Australasian Animal Law Teachers Association (AALTRA), Immediate Past Chair of the Australasian Law Academics Association (ALAA), and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.
Theo Kapodistrias is a multi-award-winning lawyer, based in Hobart, Tasmania. He is also an award-winning speaker, trainer and public speaking + presentation skills coach, running his own business www.theokap.com.au . Theo is also the author of A Way With Words, published by Rethink Press and an Amazon best seller in it's first 24 hours. He is the General Counsel at Evergen - an energy management software company. He has been recognised for his work in the legal and community space winning several awards and has been named one of Australia's Most Influential Lawyers by the Australasian Lawyer Magazine in both 2022 and 2023. He was also named the Speaker of the Year at the 2022 International Coaches Awards. He is a Non-Executive Director of the Association of Corporate Counsel Australia and previously Business Events Tasmania. In ACC Australia, he is also the Tasmanian Divisional President and Chair of the Sole Legal Officer Special Interest Group. In 2021, Theo took on the role as Executive Director and Licensee of TEDxHobart and is the host of a podcast titled ‘Craft Messages That Matter.’ In 2023, he delivered his own TEDx Talk at TEDxKatoomba titled "Lessons from my Ethnic Lunchbox."
Bree Knoester is the founder of Brave Legal and one of Australia’s leading personal injury lawyers.
Bree has practiced for over 18 years as both a barrister and solicitor; and has represented clients in some of Victoria’s largest compensation settlements.
Bree prides herself on being an empathetic yet tenacious lawyer, possessing a deep understanding of the law and a fearless approach to representing her clients’ interests. Most importantly, Bree understands that being injured affects almost every part of your life and having the support of an understanding, compassionate and experienced legal team is essential to achieving the best possible outcome – for your case, and for you.
In recognition of her experience and exceptional client results, Bree has won numerous industry awards including ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Personal Injury Litigation (Best Lawyers® in Australia 2020); and ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Medical Negligence (Best Lawyers® in Australia 2023). Bree has also been extensively recognised by Doyle's Guide, including being named Preeminent practitioner – Asbestos & Dust Diseases Compensation (Doyle’s Guide 2020 & 2021); and Preeminent practitioner - Work Injury Compensation (2020 & 2021). She was a Partner of the Year Finalist for Litigation, as named by Lawyer's Weekly in 2019.
As one of Victoria’s most experienced personal injury lawyers, Bree is regularly approached by the media for commentary on high-profile cases and as a spokesperson for the most seriously injured.
If you’d like to arrange a time to speak with Bree, call us today on 03 9070 9816, email [email protected] or send us a message via our contact page.
You can also connect with Bree on social media.
Steve Lancken has been a full time mediator since 1999. During that time, Steve has conducted over 2,000 mediations. Steve has worked in Queensland mediating Native Title issues and in Liberia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Nepal and Northern America. Steve has conducted mediations for Australia’s largest and most successful organisations such as ASIC, ACCC, QANTAS, GPT, AGSM, Mission Australia, the Salvation Army, Australian Treasury, Australian Government Solicitors and Department of Defence. Steve also works with Australia’s largest banks and insurers.
Steve enjoys the opportunity to do the most interesting and challenging work and contribute to social justice, teach, educate and contribute to his profession.
Anna Lozynski is an award winning executive general counsel & author, turned Change Agent, Advisor and Influencer.
Starting out at a major Australian law firm, she has spent the majority of her legal career in-house working in the banking, automotive and cosmetics industries. In 2021, Anna has donned her entrepreneurial shoes, and started her own business, on a mission to help law and business adapt to the digital age, launching her own Advisory service.
She believes that innovation is invigorating, change is energising and efficiency will never go out of fashion.
In addition, she is an Advisory Board Member to Mys Tyler (a fashion tech startup), She Breaks The Law (a global female innovator network), and sits on the CLOC (Corporate Legal Operations Consortium) Australia Chapter.
Described as a change agent, Anna is a sought-after commentator, mindset coach and consultant both domestically and internationally – seeking to shift the dialogue in order to propel the corporate world forward.
You are invited to join Anna’s online communities @legallyinnovative and LinkedIn as well as @annaloz on Clubhouse.
Andrew is a strategy and media expert working with business, legal and professional services leaders to solve communications challenges. A former business journalist with The Australian he is an award winning media & communications consultant and advisor, with over 25 years experience.
Both in-house and through his consultancy Crackle Communications, Andrew has advised CEOs and leadership teams across law, professional services, finance, mining, development, litigation, retail and technology. His experience ranges from crisis management and industrial relations, to media coaching and corporate transformations.
Andrew also teaches public communications at UTS and UNSW, holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Master of Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University, a Graduate Diploma of Journalism & Communications from UTS and a BA from the University of Sydney.
Stephen Page is a principal of Page Provan, Brisbane. Admitted in 1987, Stephen became an accredited family law specialist in 1996. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted reproduction Attorneys. Stephen is an international representative on the Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee of the American Bar Association. Stephen is a director of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand. He has written and spoken around the world about family and fertility law.
Sue-Ella specialises in helping lawyers and law firms create more rewarding practices through purposeful business strategy and positive client engagement.
Sue-Ella established her award-winning consultancy Prodonovich Advisory in 2005.
Her In-House roles have included Director of Marketing, Arthur Anderson; Director of Marketing & Business Development, Baker McKenzie; and Partner, Crowe Horwath.
Sue-Ella is a member of the teaching faulty of The College of Law, The Law Society of NSW, The Law Institute of Victoria, and FMRC. In 2011 she was inducted into the APSMA Hall Of Fame for services to the Australasian Professional Services Industry and in 2019 she was made a Fellow of the College of Law Firm Management. Her qualifications include an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) (Law & Marketing) – VC List, the AICD Course for Company Directors, and the Net Promoter® Client Loyalty Program™.
Scott is a General Counsel with extensive experience advising listed entities in regulated environments . Scott’s pragmatic approach ensures the organisations he acts for maintain good standing with regulators, their peers and the broader community, while being able to confidently deliver the experiences expected by consumers. Scott has led teams of varying sizes and particularly enjoys helping junior lawyers develop their skills and understanding of complex commercial environments.
Donna Stone is a multi-award-winning business coach with decades of experience, plus formal qualifications in Accounting, Marketing, Business Management and Training. She’s written seven books and has been an invited judge for multiple awards since early 2019. Donna has spoken at a number of Universities, Chambers of Commerce, conferences and business events.
Troy Swan is the Group General Counsel and Board Member of the $1.3 billion office products company Winc. Winc was formed following the acquisition and merger of Staples, OfficeMax and Corporate Express in Australia and New Zealand by leading US based private equity firm Platinum Equity.
He has been publicly recognised as one of Australia's leading corporate lawyers and was previously an Australian Lawyer of the Year and an Australian General Counsel of the Year triple finalist. He was also the Association of Corporate Counsel Global Member of the Year, from over 43,000 lawyers worldwide, with this being the first time this honour was ever awarded to a lawyer outside America.
He became only the second Australian lawyer to win the International Value Champions Award in San Francisco and was also named the Association of Corporate Counsel Winner for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility.
Known for his business judgement, he is highly active within the legal and business community, being named a Judge at the Australian Law Awards, New Zealand Law Awards, Corporate Counsel Awards, Partner of the Year Awards and the 30 Under 30 Law Awards.
He is a long standing Member of the Law Society Corporate Lawyers Committee, is a regular commentator and speaker on legal and business affairs and leads an award winning legal team based in Sydney, Australia.
Adrian Tembel is an economics and honours law graduate of the University of Adelaide. He began practising corporate and technology law in 1993 at his law firm Thomson Geer. He became a Partner of that firm in 1997 and its Chief Executive Partner in 2009. He is also a part-time Commissioner of the South Australian Productivity Commission and a Director of the Hackett Foundation.
Desi is an Australian Legal Practitioner and Mentor of Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen Centre for Law, Victoria, Australia. She was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2005 and has practiced in mid-tier, suburban and private firms. In 2013, Desi completed a Graduate Diploma of Education with a focus on legal studies and literature. As a certified mental health first aid trainer, Desi is a strong advocate for mental health, the wellbeing of new lawyers and the profession as a whole. She regularly presents at conferences in Australasia as an ambassador for mentally healthy workplaces and has recently become accredited in social impact measurement.
In 2019 she contributed to a book chapter on time perspective in relation to wellbeing and productivity in Lexis Nexis’ ‘Wellness for Law: Making Wellness Core Business.’ Desi sits on the International Bar Association’s Wellbeing Taskforce charged with tackling the problem of poor mental health among the world’s lawyers and in promoting working practices to help to improve wellbeing within the legal profession. She is also an officer on the IBA Academic and Professional Development Committee.
Desi has recently launched her workplace consultancy Wellceum supporting legal and professional services integrate a longitudinal measurement and assessment system to help manage psychosocial risk, comply with legislative duties as well as unlock opportunities for improved employee resilience, increased productivity and make visible social impact. Most notably, Desi was recently named Australia’s Lawyer’s Weekly Women in Law Wellness Advocate of the Year for 2021.
