I seek the opportunity to contribute to the Council of the Law Society of NSW, bringing three decades of experience as a legal practitioner, mediator and legal educator. My professional life has given me a practical understanding of litigation, dispute resolution, legal education and the needs of practitioners at different stages of their careers. I bring an independent perspective informed by private practice, work with government and institutional clients, university teaching, professional committee service and extensive engagement with lawyers, parties and community organisations. My strongest contribution aligns with four areas of the Council Skills Framework: general legal profession skills and experience; individual and interpersonal skills; specialised legal and commercial expertise; and leadership, communication and governance capability.

GENERAL LEGAL PROFESSION SKILLS AND GENERAL EXPERIENCE

I was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1994 after completing Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics degrees at Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. I practiced primarily as a Senior Associate at Sparke Helmore Lawyers in Sydney until 2007, representing national clients and NSW and Commonwealth government agencies. My practice involved civil litigation across State and Federal Courts, the NSW Workers Compensation Court and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

That work required sustained critical thinking, analysis, research and problem-solving. I advised on civil procedure, statutory interpretation, standing, causes of action, pleadings, interlocutory processes, evidence and privilege. I conducted advocacy as a solicitor advocate and worked closely with Senior and Junior Counsel from across the NSW Bar. I also provided legal and claims management advice and developed strategies directed to commercial and timely resolution. These experiences taught me to identify the issue that requires a decision, test assumptions, assess competing risks and communicate advice clearly.

Since 2013, I have been a Teaching Fellow at UNSW Faculty of Law and Justice, teaching Resolving Civil Disputes. Teaching hundreds of students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds has strengthened my ability to make complex law accessible, invite different perspectives and provide constructive feedback. It also keeps me connected with emerging lawyers and the challenges confronting those entering the profession, with the ever-changing nature of AI.

INDIVIDUAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

My practice shifted focus to mediation after training with the Australian Commercial Disputes Centre (now known as Australian Disputes Centre) in 2012. I am an Advanced Accredited Mediator under AMDRAS and an accredited mediator under the Law Society of NSW Lawyer Mediator Accreditation Scheme (LMAS). I serve on the Personal Injury Commission Workers Compensation Division, the Law Society of NSW Mediators Panel and the Law Society’s ADR Committee.

Mediation requires the interpersonal capabilities identified in the framework: active listening, clear communication, ethical judgment, impartiality, influence and the ability to work constructively with disagreement. I have mediated business, shareholder, financial services, superannuation, commercial, construction, employment, workplace, compensation, institutional abuse, residential college and partnership disputes. These matters often involve vulnerable participants, entrenched positions, complex legal or factual issues with significant commercial or personal consequences. My role is to create a fair process, ask careful questions, help parties assess risk and support informed decision-making without imposing an outcome.

This experience would assist me to work respectfully within a Council of diverse views, contribute to rigorous discussion and help identify areas of possible agreement. I understand that good group decision-making depends on preparation, candour, patience and a willingness to reconsider one’s position. My professional commitments also demonstrate that I can manage substantial reading, scheduled meetings and additional responsibilities.

SPECIALISED LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERTISE

My legal practice developed particular expertise in NSW and Commonwealth personal injury law and the resolution of insurance claims. I understand insurance disputes from the perspectives of legal principle, claims administration, evidence, litigation risk and negotiated resolution. My mediation practice has broadened that experience to include financial services and superannuation entitlements, general commercial disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, construction matters and workplace conflict. This combination is relevant to the Society’s interests in LawCover, Legal Super and the commercial and regulatory environment in which the profession operates.

My economics degree, senior legal practice and claims management work have given me commercial awareness and experience interpreting financial and operational information in context. I have led teams of lawyers, balanced competing priorities, managed high-volume workloads and met demanding deadlines. I would bring a disciplined approach to assessing strategic opportunities, organisational risks, service delivery and management proposals. I recognise that a Councilor governs rather than performs management’s work: the task is to ask informed questions, evaluate information, exercise judgment and monitor outcomes.

LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND GOVERNANCE

I have demonstrated leadership through teaching, professional education, mentoring and committee service. I have presented dispute resolution at professional and international forums, including INSOL International conferences in Hong Kong (2025), San Diego (2024) and the ARITA National Conference (2019). I have also published in the Journal of Civil Litigation and Practice (2024) and appeared on the Mediation Today podcast (2022). These activities require preparation, confident public communication and the ability to engage specialist audiences.

My service on the Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2018 to 2020, 2025 - ) has given me direct experience of collaborative professional committee work. My other service includes mentoring through UNSW programs, judging negotiation and mediation competitions, adjudicating the Law Society’s Mock Mediation Competition (since 2016), providing pro bono mediation services to the volunteer sector through Voluntas and serving on the Gallery Lane Cove and Creative Studios Committee (2016 to 2024). I value ethical conduct, accountability and respectful participation, and I understand the importance of separating personal or sectoral interests from the interests of the institution and its members.

I would approach Council service with independence, integrity and a commitment to preparation. I would contribute my strength in dispute resolution, legal education, practitioner communication and engagement with emerging lawyers. I would also prioritise developing my knowledge of the Society’s regulatory operations, directors’ duties, financial oversight and contemporary organisational governance. I believe my experience and perspective would support thoughtful decision-making and help the Council serve the profession and the wider community.