Join us for the HWLE In-House Counsel Day on Thursday, 5 March 2026, at The Boat House.
Experience a dynamic day of professional development designed to inform, inspire, and connect in-house legal professionals. Hear from leading practitioners as they unpack the latest legal trends, explore recent case developments, and share practical insights to support your work.
Through thought-provoking discussions and real-world examples, the day provides ample opportunity to connect with industry peers, exchange ideas, and earn valuable CPD points. The program will conclude with networking drinks and canapes.
Program
Registrations open
Welcome address
Workplace Relations in the APS: What is 2026 likely to bring?
A review of key developments in workplace relations throughout 2025 and how these may impact the APS, with a focus on anticipated challenges for 2026 - particularly APS-wide bargaining.
Speakers
Alison Spivey, Partner, HWLE
Harriet Boothman, Senior Associate, HWLE
Georgia Driels, Senior Associate, HWLE
1 CPD Point - Substantive Law and Procedural law
Administrative Law - Year in Review
A discussion of significant administrative law cases from 2025 and their implications for the year ahead.
Speakers:
Michael Palfrey, Partner, HWLE
Will Sharpe, Partner, HWLE
1 CPD Point - Substantive Law and Procedural law
Morning Tea & Comfort Break
[TBC] Protecting sensitive Commonwealth documents
A practical overview of the Protective Security Policy Framework, classification standards, and the appropriate use of Commonwealth documents. The session will also explore disclosure obligations and managing objections to producing sensitive material in response to FOI requests, subpoenas, and court proceedings.
Speaker:
Stephen Coyle, Partner, HWLE
1 CPD Point - Substantive Law and Procedural law
[TBC] Probity in Procurement
This session will provide an overview of probity in the context of government procurement. It will explore the meaning of probity, identify common risks, and outline practical steps to mitigate these risks throughout the procurement process. Attendees will also work through real-life examples and recent case updates to reinforce best practice principles.
Speaker:
Brian Ambler, Partner, HWLE
1 CPD Point - (Core Area)
Buffet Lunch
Keynote Address and Panel Discussion:
The Role of AI in shaping Government Policies and Service Delivery
This discussion explores how Commonwealth agencies can leverage large-scale data to enhance policy outcomes and service delivery. It will also examine the risks associated with AI use in government contexts and discuss approaches to AI safety and governance.
Panel:
Daniel Marlay, Associate Partner, EY
Amber Cerny, Partner HWLE
Lucy Hannah, Special Counsel, HWLE
Andrew Miers, Partner, HWLE
1.5 CPD Points - Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Networking drinks and canapes
Speaker Profiles
Michael Palfery
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Canberra
Michael is the Joint Leader of the Australian Government Group and trusted legal adviser to the Commonwealth for 20 years.
Michael’s broad administrative law experience includes the provision of statutory interpretation and information law advice as well as assistance with legislative development. Michael also conducts investigations on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Michael’s administrative law practice involves advising Commonwealth regulators in sectors such as aged care, therapeutic goods, agricultural and veterinary products, motor vehicles and clean energy. This involves advice on the nature and scope of the regulators’ powers, assistance with the drafting of decisions and advice and representation in compliance matters. Michael’s practice extends to information law which involves regularly conducting Privacy Impact Assessments and advising Commonwealth clients on other privacy concerns and Freedom of Information requests.
Michael also has a strong litigation practice. He is a skilled advocate having represented and appeared for a range of Commonwealth clients over many years in merits and judicial review proceedings, as well as representing the Commonwealth in commercial claims brought against it.
Brian Ambler
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Sydney
Brian specialises in Probity Services, Government Procurement, Government Contracts, Tendering processes and Building and Construction contracts and disputes.
Brian assists clients in all areas of Government procurement including in the Defence, Government (Local, State and Commonwealth), Property, Building, Health , Transport, Water, ICT and Education sectors.
Brian is listed in the Chambers and Partners Legal Directory in Government (Band 3).
Amber Cerney
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Sydney
Amber specialises in private Mergers & Acquisitions, government and public sector transactions, Foreign Investment Review Board applications and privacy law compliance. She is interested in how technology and data are transforming commercial relationships and legal services.
Amber assists clients in the health, transport and technology industries.
Amber is the Chair of the Business Law Committee and Deputy Chair of the Privacy and Data Committee of the Law Society of NSW. She has been appointed to the Legal Services Council that oversees the administration of the Uniform Law in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
Stephen Coyle
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Canberra
Stephen is an experienced dispute resolution and litigation lawyer acting for Commonwealth government agencies and private sector clients in federal and state courts. His litigation experience is underpinned by a background in commercial law advising private and public sector clients on major projects, contracting, risks and disputes.
Stephen has acted on a wide range of commercial and civil disputes and has particular expertise in complex litigation, large multi party/cohort litigation, natural disasters, cross jurisdictional litigation, public liability involving psychiatric injury, nervous shock, intentional torts, media sensitive cases, competition law, defamation and public interest immunity issues. He routinely advises clients on dispute resolution processes including mediation, case appraisal, conciliation and arbitration, inquests and statutory inquiries.
Stephen has in-depth knowledge of model litigate obligations and Legal Services Directions 2017 and has experience in briefing Ministers and the Office of Legal Service Coordination in the Attorney-General’s Department.
Stephen is admitted in the Supreme Courts of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Western Australia and the High Court of Australia.
Will Sharpe
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Sydney
Will advises on government and regulatory matters, and has a deep understanding of public and administrative law. During his career, Will has worked as an in-house and external legal adviser to government agencies. He is known for delivering clear advice, practical solutions and strong representation.
Will assists government and non-government clients in relation to government decisions, statutory interpretation, legislative development, and information law, as well as representing clients in judicial review litigation in the Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court, and in merits review proceedings in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. He has acted across a wide range of subject matters areas, including immigration, environment, health, disability, social security, defence, Indigenous affairs, climate change, freedom of information, and privacy.
Will has been named in Best LawyersTM Australia for Government Practice.
Alison Spivey
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Canberra
Alison is an experienced employment and workplace relations lawyer, having practiced exclusively in the area for almost 20 years, including in national and international firms. She has acted for and advised public and private sector clients across a broad range of industries in all aspects of employment and workplace relations law.
Alison conducts workplace investigations including in relation to suspected breaches of the APS Code of Conduct and disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013.
Alison conducts training for clients in employment and workplace relations-related matters.
Andrew Miers
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Sydney
Andrew Miers is a leading specialist in cyber security and cyber incident response, and broader online content, digital and technology risks.
Andrew advises clients on the ever-evolving area of cyber risk. He helps clients respond to and prepare for cyber incidents, with experience ranging from large and complex ransomware incidents through to small data breaches. He assists clients navigate the legal, regulatory, strategic and practical aspects of a cyber incident, including claims and liabilities that arise post-breach. Andrew also advises on cyber insurance policies and coverage.
Andrew is a sought after industry speaker and widely published thought leader on cyber. He was named in 2021 as one of Australasian Lawyer’s inaugural 5-Star Cyber Lawyers. Andrew also practices in media and technology liability, either directly for government and corporate clients or for their insurers. He has acted in matters involving defamation, social media and other online content, privacy, intellectual property infringement and IT service provider claims.
Lucy Hannah
Special Counsel
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Lucy Hannah specialises in privacy, data protection, and AI regulation, with a focus on advising on the Privacy Act, Spam Act, state and territory privacy and information laws, and related regulatory frameworks. She advises on a wide range of compliance issues including privacy and data governance, consent and transparency obligations, marketing practices, data sharing, and emerging regulation.
Lucy works with public and private sector clients across industries including automotive, government, health, technology, financial services, media, and education. She supports clients with privacy compliance assessments and remediation, privacy impact assessments, policy development, incident response, and regulatory engagement, with a practical focus on managing legal risk while enabling innovation.
Lucy teaches privacy and compliance for marketers through the Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA) and is a regular contributor to Wolters Kluwer on developments in privacy law.
Materials
Keep an eye out for presentation materials here
Location
The Boat House
Grevillea Park
7 Menindee Drive
Barton ACT 2600
Contact Us
Remonda Sukkar | Event Manager | HWLE Lawyers
marketingevents@hwle.com.au 
+61 2 9334 8689
Kierili Magnayon | Event Administrator | HWLE Lawyers
kmagnayon@hwle.com.au +61 2 6151 2103