HWLE 's Victorian Government
Conference 2026.
Join us for HWLE's Victorian Government Conference on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at Hotel Windsor Melbourne.
Experience a dynamic day of professional development designed to inform, inspire, and connect in-house lawyers and key personnel within Victorian Government departments and agencies. 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 canapès.
Program
Speaker Profiles
Anthony Seyfort
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Anthony is a legal and policy adviser with a particular focus on the regulatory activities of government.
His expertise includes economic regulation of utilities, industry regulation to protect consumers, privacy, regulatory enforcement and broader public sector governance.
Anthony has been recommended by Doyle’s Guide, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers and Partners and Best Lawyers in Australia™.
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).
David Guthrie
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
David is a seasoned insurance lawyer with a practice spanning government litigation and public liability and statutory insurance.
David leads our team that currently acts has extensive experience in personal injuries proceedings for Victorian Government Departments and Agencies.
He has an intimate knowledge of the personal injuries landscape and the issues affecting government agencies.
Karli Evans
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Karli is a Partner in the Workplace Relations and Safety team in Melbourne.
She has more than 20 years' experience advising all levels of Government and some of Australia's largest employers on employment and industrial relations litigation.
Karli has particular expertise in Commonwealth regulatory work, including representing clients in respect of prosecutions of the Fair Work Act and other legislation.
Polat Siva
Partner
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Polat is an experienced disputes and investigations lawyer with over 20 years' experience in helping clients understand and manage risk and navigate complex disputes and crises. Polat specialises in commercial disputes and works with clients in the early stages of matters to provide strategic and pragmatic advice and find solutions.
Polat has been listed in Best Lawyers in Australia™ since 2019 and is listed in the areas of Government Practice, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Insolvency & Reorganisation.
Iain McLaren
Special Counsel
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Iain specialises in intellectual property, information technology law, complex procurement projects, privacy, data protection, and general commercial contracting.
Iain has over 20 years of experience in private practice and in-house including in relation to the Tasmanian and Victorian Container Deposit Schemes and other government projects.
Taylor Austin
Special Counsel
HWLE Lawyers
Melborune
Taylor specialises in litigation primarily for government clients and large insurers, and is familiar with litigating cases inside the Victorian Government’s model litigant guidelines.
He regularly acts for departments and other entities connected with government operations in the areas of historical sexual abuse, child protection and negligence.
He has also acted relation to personal injury claims and has significant experience in historical abuse including acting for schools, child protection agencies, and government appointed third parties.
Talitha Maugueret
Senior Associate
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Talitha has more than 7 years' experience acting for a diverse array of public and private sector clients across the areas of employment, industrial relations, anti-discrimination and workplace health and safety (WHS).
Talitha has extensive experience advising employers and employees on all aspects of the employment relationship and has acted for clients in a wide range of complex employment matters, including unfair dismissal and adverse action claims, restraint of trade/confidential information, underpayments, contract disputes, breach of award/EBA, unlawful discrimination, workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
Alex Porz
Associate
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Alex has experience advising a broad range of clients including government agencies in difficult and complex litigation. Alex has represented clients in a variety of circumstances, from lengthy trials to mediations.
Alex has experience in the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Nick Zavattiero
Solicitor
HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne
Nick is a workplace relations, occupational health and safety lawyer with a broad focus on dispute resolution, enterprise and employment agreements, business restructures, unfair dismissal, general protections claims and risk management, particularly in respect of workplace safety.
Nick has expertise with both national employment legislation and state and territory work health and safety legislation.
Materials
Keep an eye out for presentation materials here
Location
Hotel Windsor Melbourne
Windsor Ballroom
111 Spring Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact Us
Elly Sofronidis | Marketing Assistant | HWLE Lawyers
marketingevents@hwle.com.au 
+61 3 8644 3566