Organisation: High Court or Supreme Court of Australia
Job Title: Lawyer
Location: Victoria
Qualifications
- Admission as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
- Possession of a current practising certificate.
I am a qualified and experienced Corporate Lawyer, admitted to practice in the Victorian Supreme Court in 2005 and hold a full practicing certificate. I hold a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Sydney, a Master of Laws in International and Comparative Laws from Monash University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice Skills and Ethics from Monash University.
- At least four years post admission experience in a commercial role, preferably including experience within a well regarded law firm.
I have 7 years of post admission experience. Since 2008, I have practised law as In-House Counsel for the University of Melbourne General Counsel and Legal Services department. Prior to working at the University, I was an Immigration Lawyer for Brand Partners.
- Detailed knowledge of regulatory frameworks, corporate governance, commercial policy frameworks, corporate governance, commercial policy framework and legislation affecting emergency services would be advantageous.
I bring extensive experience in contract law, copyright and intellectual property, privacy issues, regulatory frameworks and corporate governance processes. I currently manage a diverse portfolio of commercial matters including indemnity, insurance, intellectual property , IT, compliance in relation to legislation affecting the tertiary sector, dispute resolution and confidentiality. I regularly negotiate contracts and draft provisions, including tender bids for the Victorian State Government and provision of associated policy advice.
In my current role as In-House Counsel for the University of Melbourne, I provide advice to staff regarding University contract rights and potential contract risks including indemnity, insurance, termination, confidentiality and dispute resolution. I regularly negotiate contracts and draft agreements. As the contact for Fair Work Act and student placement agreements at the University, I maintain current knowledge of legislative amendments and revise agreements as necessary. On a daily basis, I provide expert advice and analysis at executive level in relation to University privacy policies, Higher Education Funding Act (HES) Legislation and University Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA). In the highly regulated education system, my research is thorough in order to consistently adhere to legislative and statutory compliance. In the past few years I have researched, negotiated and drafted contracts for large scale projects and have also been involved on steering commitees to ensure that the University complies with new autonomous sanctions legislation.
Having researched the State Emergency Health Plan, the Emergency Management Manual Victoria and the Emergency Management Act 1986 (Vic), I understand their roles in regulating key agencies, including Ambulance Victoria, in the implementation of protective safety strategies.
- Experience in managing sensitive and complex legal issues, preferably within the public sector. Familiarity with the Victorian Government procurement policy and processes would be advantageous.
I successfully negotiated a $35M contract between the Commonwealth and the University of Melbourne, drafting favourable provisions and overcoming initial lack of agreement, allowing the University to gain funding commitment and achieve growth in intellectual property and indemnity agreements.
I led complex and sensitive negotiations with the Victorian State Government, successfully formulating strategic solutions to gain a preferential outcome for the University of Melbourne regarding liability, intellectual property and project governance structures for a $24m contract. In my role at Parks Victoria, I reviewed and negotiated Crown Land property leases and licences for commercial cafe operators, sporting clubs and waste operators.
Additionally my experience in managing sensitive and complex legal issues has been evidenced through numerous IP provisions negotiations. On one occasion, the University of Melbourne signed an agreement in which the intellectual property provisions were unfavourable and complex. I notified the Commonwealth of our concerns and included a provision to discuss the matter within two months. The implications of these intellectual property provisions would mean that the University would have lost funding, and the University would had to undertake an audit for work dating back 15 years, also the pool of parties willing to collaborate with the University to deliver the project would have been significantly reduced. I recognised the implications to the project, however the Commonwealth was resistant to any changes. After discussions with the Commonwealth to explain the proposed new intellectual property clauses, I engaged another lawyer and with consent, we provided favourable clauses. The approved intellectual property provisions are now used as a starting point for my team when discussing intellectual property clauses with the Commonwealth.
Throughout my career, I have also managed matters and provided advice to my employer in relation to a number of confidential and sensitive matters. For example, I have provided advice in relation to workplace harrasment/discrimination, intervention orders, advice for the release of sensitive information made under the Freedom of Information Act.
Skills and Knowledge
- Commercially focussed lawyer with a practical and pragmatic approach
A critical thinker, I am practical and goal-oriented in my approach. I am accustomed to encountering complex legal obstacles, ensuring that I conduct extensive research on all parties involved, identify contentious issues and analyse the practical impact of all options. With consideration of potential risks and barriers, I consult with all stakeholders, seeking input from colleagues and management to achieve commercially viable, workable solutions.
Committed to organisational growth and business efficiency, I recently drafted over thirty standard templates for use across the University of Melbourne, allowing over 18,000 placement agreements to be finalised annually without the additional cost of outsourcing legal services. A selection of these templates has been made available to international collaborators under the ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students) Act 2000.
- Strong commercial acumen
I have consistently demonstrated my ability to approach tasks and projects from a business perspective. During my time with Box Hill Institute of TAFE, I worked closely with IT staff to develop a contracts registry. I presented the proposal and demonstrated the system to executives and staff. The registry was successfully launched and became a central point of access for contracts and copyright permissions for the Institute.
Whilst in the role of Governance and Policy Officer with Box Hill Institute of TAFE, I established a contract registration system to manage and track all contracts and copyright consent agreements, avoiding the need for duplicates and significantly improving information storage processes for the Institute. I streamlined functionality and effectively reduced copyright fees stimulating sound commercial development.
- Sound judgement, integrity and maturity to deal appropriately with issues of a sensitive or confidential nature
A particularly sensitive issue I managed was a request for urgent advice following an incident where a student had performed an indecent act on a dead body and posted on social media. The University of Melbourne is part of a donor body program and I needed to protect the licence for the Faculty of Medicine. I conducted research and further interviewed the staff member who had reported the incident. According to my investigation, the University was not at fault, since the incident occurred at another institution. I confirmed the program agreement with this institution and provided advice regarding their obligations to the University’s program. The incident was managed discreetly and with integrity.
- Attention to detail by showing concern for all aspects of the job through accurately checking information, processes and tasks and ensuring corrective action is taken when appropriate
With excellent attention to detail, I carefully proofread and edit all documents before distribution. Recently, whilst checking an agreement prepared by an external contractor, I discovered a financial error immediately prior to signing. I provided options to resolve the error, the correction was made and the agreement was signed, ensuring the University would receive the correct payment.
On a daily basis I analyse and verify a range of placement agreements, policies, corporate contracts and legal communications to identify legal risks and compliance issues.
- Proven capacity to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks in order to meet strict timeframes
A highly organised and proactive professional, I manage multiple tasks efficiently and consistently achieve deadlines. To co-ordinate my daily schedule, I use the ‘Lex’ centralised database system to track my progress on all matters and upload fully executed agreements and correspondence. I regularly manage a complex caseload and am skilled prioritising and balancing requirements.
- Strong verbal communication skills to enable ideas and opinions to be expressed clearly and effectively, and to enable the effective interaction with staff at all levels within the organisation and key external stakeholders
A confident communicator and active listener, I build rapport easily with colleagues and management at all levels. Experienced in public speaking, I adjust my approach to suit a range of audiences, often utilising visual aids to convey a clear message. At the University of Melbourne, I deliver presentations on a range of topics including Intellectual Property, Autonomous Sanctions and Student Placements in front of a range of academics, researchers, administrators and senior staff.
I have been complimented by General Counsel for providing relevent information and maintaining open lines of communication with Legal Services staff regarding the Fair Work Act and the Autonomous Sanctions regime, as well as additional legal issues affecting the University.
- Well-developed written communication skills to prepare accurate and well presented routine correspondence, memos, Business Cases and reports, including the ability to research and collate relevant information
On a daily basis in my current role, I prepare complex briefs, correspondence, contractual documents, stakeholder communications and case reports. My written style adapts to suit different purposes and I am concise yet thorough in conveying my message. In the past few years I have researched, negotiated and drafted large scale contracts including facilitation of compliance with autonomous sanctions legislation, intellectual property risk identification proposal and best practice records management process to streamline placement agreements.
- Interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills to gain the acceptance and support of ideas, cooperation of others, and the ability to modify styles and techniques to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals
Recently, a colleague and I were engaged to develop templates for Asialink, a key user of the University of Melbourne Legal Services. I led discussions to create a plan and strategies for implementation, by analysing key provisions to be included across all agreements. I proposed that one person should develop the standard terms, while the other develops the specific terms relevant to each of the four agreements. I also recommended that one person become the key contact, to ensure consistency of communication between Asialink and the University. This approach worked successfully and results were delivered smoothly and within deadlines.
Whilst a member of the Autonomous Sanctions steering committee, I became aware that one panel member felt challenged by my presence, since she believed she had completed all the background work in this area. I initiated several coffee meetings with this member to explain that I valued her work and was merely operating from a legal perspective. I succeeded in gaining her support to finalise a project checklist which was subsequently endorsed by the Commonwealth and circulated to other universities.
- Relationship building skills to take appropriate action to develop strong and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
My relationship building skills have been developed and proven invaluable in each of my roles. Evidenced in my actions when Legal services was engaged by Asialink, a key user of Legal Services to develop template agreements for their use; I collaborated with my colleague to analyse key provisions, strategize and implement our task. I led the informative discussions to clarify project scope, due to my previously built relationship with Asialink. Both my colleague and I then discussed how to implement this task. By strategizing together we were able to comprehensively deliver 4 agreements on time and with infallible consistency.
Whilst with Box Hill Institute of TAFE, the organisation was being audited by CAL (Copyright Agency Ltd). The outcome of the audit would affect the copyright licence for the Institute and more broadly across the TAFE sector. I notified all managers of the upcoming audit and conducted a presentation to explain the need for compliance across the Institution. Appointing a contact person in each department, I distributed pro-formas to streamline the compliance process and managed a large volume of enquiries. By focusing on effective service delivery and strong communication, I played a key role in the 40% to 50% reduction of copyright fees for the Institute, leading to the decrease in fees across the entire TAFE sector.
My collaboration with both internal and external parties has been supported by my ability to take appropriate action and continually go above and beyond expectancies. I foster mutually beneficial relationships which are marked by longevity.
- Well developed conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills to enable the identification of issues, and the judgement and decision making ability to determine appropriate courses of action and formulation of strategies for achieving long-range organisational goals
I have the ability to conceptualise, analyse and compare options for project resolutions. Whilst at Box Hill Institute of TAFE I spearheaded the development of a contract register, responding to inefficiencies in the management of contracts and copyright consent agreements. Following consultation with IT specialists, I initiated a process to effectively reduce duplicates and improve storage practices.
On one occasion, the University of Melbourne signed an agreement in which the intellectual property provisions were unfavourable and complex. I recognised the implications to the project, however the Commonwealth was resistant to any changes. After discussions with the Commonwealth to explain the proposed new intellectual property clauses, I engaged another lawyer and with consent, we provided favourable clauses, now used as a starting point for my team when discussing intellectual property clauses with the Commonwealth. If I had not identified the problem, the University would have lost substantial funding, a 15 year audit would have been required and the pool of parties willing to collaborate with the University would have been significantly reduced.
- Planning, organising and time management skills to effectively establish the priority and scheduling of work tasks and projects to ensure work priorities are completed on time and within budget
I negotiated and finalised over 10 Commonwealth funding agreements in the space of a week, for monetary values ranging from $10k to $35m. To achieve the deadline of June 30th, I analysed the contracts and provided high level advice to users regarding the management of legal risk. As a high priority, I focused my attention on finalising the contracts, placing my regular daily duties on hold temporarily. I notified existing clients of expected delays and managed their expectations, successfully completing both the urgent tasks and regular tasks within the specified timeframe.
- Attention to detail by showing concern for all aspects of the job through accurately checking information, processes and tasks and ensuring corrective action is taken when appropriate
Adept at identifying potential risks and errors in documentation, I successfully recognised and resolved a critical error in a University agreement regarding intellectual property provisions. My attention to detail avoided a major issue, enabled collaboration by external organisations and prevented a decrease in revenue for the University.
As a member of the Autonomous Sanctions Committee, I carefully read and became familiar with extensive documentation and legislation concerning the project and similar legal precedents, before taking action.
- Customer service orientation to take responsibility for understanding client needs and ensuring these are met, including the ability to translate, challenge and manage customer requests
I have provided legal services to a range of clients and stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation. As an Immigration Lawyer with Brand Partners Commercial Lawyers, I liaised with clients and the Department of Immigration, assisting clients with limited English to complete the documentation required for their applications.
Committed to quality service delivery, I place a very strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and the achievement of mutually beneficial outcomes. Always open to feedback, I continually strive to improve efficiency, minimize risks and ultimately serve the best interests of my clients.
- Capacity to make sound decisions under pressure
Skilled in negotiating contracts and implementing creative solutions, I consistently maintain a professional and sensitive approach in high pressure circumstances.
Recently, while in the process of negotiating a $24m contract with the Victorian State Government, I was also conducting urgent negotiations for an exchange agreement with the London Business School. Although the London agreement was not as high profile as the State Government contract, nor did it present as many legal concerns, finalisation was critical as students were due to be exchanged. Efficiently and without delay, I analysed the legal risks involved in the exchange agreement and negotiated two key issues with the London Business School via Skype conference. I worked late to draft the agreements, lead discussions and finalise the matter, allowing my full attention to be returned to the government contract.
