Schedule and Agenda

Main stage

8:00am - 9:00am

Registration and exhibition open

9:00am - 9:05am

Welcome from MC

9:05am - 9:10am

Principal Partner welcome

9:10am - 9:35am

Keynote to be announced

9:35am - 9:55am

Keynote to be announced

9:55am - 10:25am

Morning tea

BigLaw

10:25am - 10:55am


Pressure from every angle: Navigating risk, regulation, and strategy in an uncertain world

Geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and escalating global conflicts have made uncertainty a business reality. For Australian firms, this volatility is flowing directly into client demands. In this session, our panellists will examine how global instability is informing client expectations, explore the regulatory challenges facing corporate Australia, and unpack strategic priorities for firms in the year ahead.

Rebecca Kelly
Australia Managing Partner
Clyde & Co
Drew Pearson
Managing Partner
Sydney, Herbert Smith Freehills
Aaron Goonrey
Partner
Pinsent Masons

10:55am - 11:25am


Technology, AI, and automation: Moving beyond hype and towards impact

AI and automation promise to transform legal work – but to realise this assurance, firms must move from experimentation to execution. In this session, our panellists will filter the noise to expose where technology is driving real operational change, where it’s falling short, and what’s required to successfully integrate new tools at scale. From data strategy to ethical risk, we’ll explore how firms are navigating adoption, safeguarding their reputation, and positioning themselves for an automated and integrated future.

Naomi Griffin
Partner, Co-Chair Innovation & Best Delivery Committee APAC
Clifford Chance

11:25am - 11:55am


Business models, teams, and clients: Rewriting the rules of engagement

Technology is reshaping not just how law is practised, but how law firms operate, compete, and lead. In this session, our panellists will examine how business models are evolving in response to new client demands, market pressures, and the realities of a changing workforce. From talent strategy to client experience, we’ll explore what it takes to build responsive, capable teams, and create enduring value in a rapidly shifting legal landscape.

Anna Sparkes
Chief People Officer
Gilbert + Tobin
Steven Pettigrove
Partner
Financial Services & Fintech, Piper Alderman
Kirsten Rillo
CEO
MiTimes

11:55am - 12:50pm


Lunch and networking

General counsel

10:25am - 10:55am


Risk is rising – why in-house counsel can’t afford to sit still

Geopolitical volatility, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting client expectations are creating new layers of complexity for corporate Australia. In-house teams are staring into the heart of this complexity and are expected not only to manage risk, but to shape strategy and guide ethical decision making. In this session, our panellists will unpack the forces reshaping the compliance landscape, explore the evolving expectations of legal leaders, and examine how in-house teams are building influence in a world where legal risk is business risk.

10:55am - 11:25am


The reality of AI: How in-house teams are adapting to automation

For in-house counsel, the technology conversation isn’t optional – it's operational. As legal teams face rising workloads, growing regulatory demands, and increasing pressure to do more with less, AI and automation are shifting from future ambition to immediate necessity. In this session, our panellists will examine where emerging technology is reshaping legal service delivery, where the limits of automation still lie, and what skills, strategies, and safeguards in-house leaders need to adopt as technology changes the shape – and speed – of legal work.

11:25am - 11:55am


Leading from the centre: Building future-ready legal teams

In-house teams sit at the sharp edge of shifting corporate expectations. Today’s legal leaders are not just technical experts – they’re strategic advisers, risk managers, and culture carriers. But with expanding remits, leaner teams, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, building a legal function for the future requires new approaches to leadership, talent, and capability. In this session, our panellists will explore how in-house teams are evolving, and what it takes to lead, attract, and retain talent in today’s competitive environment.

11:55am - 12:50pm


Lunch and networking

SME/boutique law

10:25am - 10:55am


Stepping out of the shadows: The competitive forces affecting smaller practices

SME firms and barristers are operating in a market defined by change. The spectre of AI and automation looms large, while new market entrants, evolving client expectations and blurred professional boundaries are reshaping how legal services are bought and delivered. This session examines how smaller practices are navigating these external pressures. Our panellists will discuss the competitive dynamics at play, consider how traditional roles are shifting, and explore opportunities for collaboration in a legal market insistent on change.

10:55am - 11:25am


The art of technology integration: Adapting to the new state of play

The rapid escalation of AI and automation is already redefining legal work, but for smaller firms and barristers, the real challenge is integrating these technologies in a way that aligns with their unique operational needs. While larger firms may have the resources to experiment and scale fluidly, SME firms and barristers must be precise and decisive to justify adoption and realise real-world benefits. In this session, our panellists will explore how SME firms and barristers are using technology to deliver better client experiences, streamline their work, and stay ahead in a digital-first market.

Yogesh Patel
Head of Family & Estate
InfoTrack

11:25am - 11:55am


Strategy over size: Human-centred approaches to a technology-motivated world

Differentiation requires more than legal expertise. In an increasingly technology-dependent market, it’s crucial that smaller firms and barristers don’t lose sight of the values that underpin an authentic, sustainable practice. In this session, our panellists will explore how SME firms and barristers can leverage their unique strengths to gain a competitive edge while maintaining their firm's unique identity. From breaking away from traditional pricing structures to identifying and championing new skills and talent, we’ll explore how smaller practices are gearing up to fight in a higher weight class.

11:55am - 12:50pm


Lunch and networking

Main stage

12:50pm - 1:20pm

To be announced

1:20pm - 1:45pm

Closing keynote

1:45pm - 1:50pm

Closing MC remarks

1:50pm

Event close



*Agenda subject to change
If you're interested in speaking at the summit, please contact Jack Riisfeldt via email.