Speakers

Sam is a partner and CEO. He leads G+T’s operational functions and drives the firm’s strategic direction. With a strong focus on technology and innovation, he is committed to enhancing both the delivery of legal services and the efficiency of supporting business functions.

In addition to his role as CEO, Sam is on the board of LegalVision, a pioneering technology-driven legal start-up partially owned by Gilbert + Tobin. He is also a director of CEDA.

Before joining G+T as COO in 2015, Sam was previously a Partner at McKinsey & Company, advising clients across financial services, retail, agribusiness, and telecommunications with a focus on strategy and organisational effectiveness. He has also held executive roles at National Australia Bank, Aristocrat Leisure, and GPT Group.

Alison Deitz is Chief Executive Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright Australia and is based in Sydney. She is also sits on the firm’s Global Executive Management Committee. She is an experienced banking and finance lawyer with a background in regulatory and compliance advice, having been a partner at the firm since 1998. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Partner, she was part of the Australian executive for seven years, serving as leader of the business law practice group, encompassing the banking and finance, corporate M&A, real estate, financial restructuring and insolvency, financial services, tax and technology teams in Australia. Alison's legal practice focused on banking regulatory compliance, including anti money laundering and consumer credit compliance, acting for major international and domestic financial institutions. She also has experience in liaising with regulators and conducting regulatory enforcement litigation. Alison is co-author of the Anti-Money Laundering Handbook published by Thomson Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Laws from the University of New South Wales.

Ben Ruefli is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in software development, IT consulting, and corporate services management. Since joining InfoTrack in 2019, he has progressed from .NET Developer to Development Manager and now serves as Head of Global Platform. In this role, he works closely with all product teams, collaborating on R&D initiatives in AI innovation to drive advancements in legal technology and platform capabilities.

With a career spanning over three decades, Ben combines deep technical expertise with a strong business acumen to bridge the gap between technology and strategic outcomes. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Business from the University of Technology, Sydney, and has earned multiple certifications in IT infrastructure, software development, and project management. Passionate about innovation, AI and efficiency, he is dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet evolving business needs.

Catherine is Thomson Reuters’ Senior Director, AI & LegalTech for APAC and the Middle East. She has over 20 years’ experience in legal information and technology, in roles ranging across legal editorial, commercial management and strategic client relationships. Catherine is passionate about supporting the legal profession with AI-driven legal transformation and accelerating the adoption of trusted generative AI skills in the industry.

Vishal Bali is the managing director of Asia and Emerging Markets at Thomson Reuters, steering content-driven technology investments, AI-powered innovations, and leading the growth strategy and business operations execution in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

With a career spanning multiple markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and MENA, he possesses a deep understanding of the region’s unique opportunities and challenges, making him well-equipped to deliver impactful solutions and drive growth.

Vishal’s passion lies in enabling businesses to realise their full potential with the power of data, technology, and leadership. His experience spans across driving global digital transformation, scaling new products and building new partnerships/ alliances. An avid technology lover, he is also actively involved in working with industry bodies to mentor/ train small businesses and scale ups.

Vishal is a trusted voice in artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital enablement, and eCommerce. Vishal holds a Master’s in Management Studies and a Bachelor of Science from India.

Christian Beck, Founder and CEO of LEAP Legal Software, established the company more than 30 years ago with a vision to revolutionise legal practice management through technology. Self-taught in programming, Christian worked closely with legal professionals to develop software solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Today, LEAP's platform supports over 67,000 legal professionals worldwide, setting the standard for efficiency and productivity in law firms. Under Christian’s leadership, LEAP continues to push boundaries in legal tech, now integrating advanced AI to drive further innovation.

Christian has previously been recognised as EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2024, LEAP continued to earn accolades, including AFR BOSS’s Most Innovative Medium-Sized Company and Best Use of AI in Legal Tech at the International Cloud AI Awards.

Chris McLean is the Chief Operating Officer at Law Partners, Australia’s largest specialist personal injury firm. With over two decades of executive experience across legal and consulting sectors, Chris is a strategic leader known for driving innovation at the intersection of law and technology.

A qualified lawyer with a Master of Information Technology, Chris has led firmwide transformations in AI strategy, cybersecurity, client platforms, and operational excellence. His career spans senior roles at national and international firms including Ashurst, Sparke Helmore, Piper Alderman and Jones Day.

Chris is passionate about reshaping the future of legal practice—challenging traditional models and leveraging technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and client-centricity.

John is a tenacious litigator, known for his practical, strategic and commercial advice and for his forensic analysis.

John is repeatedly recognized as one of Australia’s leading dispute resolution lawyers in Chambers Asia Pacific and in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. John’s peers have regarded him as one of Australia’s "Best Lawyers" in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution since 2014. John is also an Acritas Star lawyer having been nominated by clients as being an outstanding lawyer in his area.

John has significant experience in conducting all forms of alternative dispute resolution including successful mediations, arbitrations, conciliations and commercial settlement negotiations, skills which have been enhanced by his study of advanced negotiation at Harvard Business School.

For matters requiring court proceedings, John has significant experience in insolvency litigation, corporate criminal matters, high-value property disputes, contract disputes, prosecution of directors and shareholder disputes, product liability and major tort-based litigation. He represents clients in the Federal Court, the Supreme Court of NSW, and appeal courts, including the High Court of Australia. John also appears in specialist tribunals including coronial inquiries, Special Commissions of Inquiry (NSW), the Administrative Appeal Tribunal and Canonical inquiries.

John was formerly a barrister in London specializing in trials before jury and general commercial disputes. He is a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and was awarded the Harmsworth Scholarship while studying at the Inns of Court School of Law in London.

His clients have included Diageo, Serco, Mirvac, British American Tobacco, Allco Finance Group (on behalf of its receivers and managers), BP, APRA, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, The Salvation Army and several members of the legal profession and judiciary.

Before turning to the law, John was a Royal Marines Commando and also holds a first class honours degree in physiotherapy. In 2015, he attended the Leadership in Law course at Harvard Law School.

Raymond Lou heads Baker McKenzie’s national energy team. He advises on mergers and acquisitions with focus on energy transition, renewables and major projects. Over the years, Raymond has acted on some of the largest cross-border transactions assisting international IPPs and financial institutions investing into Australia, including Shell Energy, Enel Green Power, Dutch Infrastructure Fund, Osaka Gas, Atmos Renewables, BayWa r.e., Spark Infrastructure, along with many others. He also advises on FIRB regulations, greenfield development, and joint venture arrangements.

In addition, Raymond is the head of China Practice in Australia, and in that role regularly advises large state-owned and private-owned enterprises from Asia with their investments into Australia.

Mona Chiha is an innovative entrepreneur, researcher, and legal innovator redefining the intersection of technology and law. As the Founder & CEO of JurisTechne, she is leading the development of the world’s first ethical and explainable AI model for law, pioneering the field of Algorithmic Law with a focus on litigation assessment.

A PhD candidate at UTS, Mona’s research is shaping the future of AI-driven legal solutions, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in legal decision-making. Her journey, from founding and successfully exiting a litigation fund to securing the UTS AI Accelerator Grant, reflects her expertise in legal tech, strategy, and innovation.

Beyond business, Mona is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for women in leadership. As the founder of OneMaronite, an Australian charity providing medical aid, and a mother of four, she exemplifies the power of resilience, vision, and purpose-driven leadership.

A member of the Women’s Committee for the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce, Mona is committed to empowering women in business, law, and STEM. Her voice is shaping the next generation, as she frequently speaks at high schools and industry events, inspiring young women to break barriers and lead with confidence.

Mona’s leadership is a testament to the limitless potential of women in AI, law, and entrepreneurship. Today, she stands as a beacon of innovation, ethics, and empowerment in an evolving digital world.

Sarah co-founded Justitia - an award-winning, boutique employment and governance legal practice – in Melbourne in 2005. Justitia lawyers work with clients in the private and government sectors, and they offer the full array of advisory services, including training, mediation and investigations. The firm is known for its deep expertise helping clients navigate challenging misconduct, conflict, and leadership scenarios. Justitia’s aim is to help clients create workplaces in which people can thrive. Sarah is the recipient of several awards including Mentor of the Year (Lawyers Weekly), and Leadership (University of Melbourne Arts Faculty). She is repeatedly recommended by her peers in Doyle’s Guide and named in several categories by Best Lawyers. Sarah established the Australasian chapter of the US based Association of Workplace Investigators and has been a director of various boards for 20 years.