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Clapping Audience

Annual Conference

SOUL 2024 Conference

The theme of SOUL 2024, held on 14-15 November 2024 at The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Connect precinct, was “Making Connections”.

 

This was the biggest SOUL Conference yet with 21 sessions including plenaries and many concurrent sessions split into 3 streams – “Research, Commercialisation and Innovation”, “Staff & Students” and “Projects and Governance”.  

 

With over 250 attendees including 164 SOUL members representing 24 universities, connections were made, friendships strengthened, and many experiences shared by those who represent the myriad of specialist areas of legal practice relevant to the university sector.

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We thank the Local Organising Committee, which consisted of representatives from Latrobe University, Monash University, RMIT and The University of Melbourne, and the SOUL 2024 sponsors for a wonderful event.

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We look forward to seeing you in WA for SOUL 2025!

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The SOUL Board and 2024 Conference Local Organising Committee​

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

More information can be found on the conference site here.

Program Overview

PROGRAM AND PRESENTATIONS

Thursday 14 November 2024

Keynote Address

  • Laureate Professor Emeritus Peter Doherty AC FRS FMedSci

Plenary 1

Over the horizon: the reform agenda and its impact on the operations of Australian universities
  • Kylie Diwell, Harriet Eager and Tom Fletcher (Partners, MinterEllison) - presentation [pdf 596KB]

  • Paula Kelly (Partner, ME Consulting)

 

CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

Concurrent Session 1

RESEARCH, COMMERCIALISATION & INNOVATION - Intellectual Property Update: Key Developments and considerations for universities
  • Bronwyn Furse (Partner, Thomson Geer) - presentation [pdf 1.6MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD provider

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STAFF & STUDENTS - Panel Discussion: Insights and guidance for psychosocial risk management and compliance in university workplaces
  • Michael Cole (Director, Source) - presentation [pdf 776KB]

  • Michael Tooma (Partner, Head of ESG and Co-Head of Workplace and Safety, Hamilton Locke)

  • Dr Rebecca Michalak (Managing Director, PsychSafe)​

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

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PROJECTS & GOVERNANCE - Cyber security incidents – are you prepared?
  • Sophie Bradshaw (Partner, Hamilton Locke) and Ed Hopkins (FTI Consulting) - presentation [pdf 3.6MB]

  • Moderator: Tricia Maloney (Partner, Hamilton Locke)

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

​Registered WA CPD provider

Concurrent Session 2

RESEARCH, COMMERCIALISATION & INNOVATION - Ways of working at universities
  • Kate Pennicott (Special Counsel, Minter Ellison) - presentation [pdf 1.5MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD provider

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STAFF & STUDENTS - Changing our mindset to survive and thrive: the rapidly changing role of university lawyers
  • Olivia Perks (General Counsel, University of Sydney)

  • Laijing Lee (Head of Legal, RMIT)

  • Karelia Lynch (Principal Legal Counsel, ANU)

  • Sarah Morgan (Director, University of Melbourne)

  • Moderator: Aaron Mentha (Director, Aspen Legal)

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CPD Category: Practice Management

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PROJECTS & GOVERNANCE - Unlocking the value of University Land: A Strategic Approach
  • Nikki Robinson and Alison Kennedy (Partners, Clayton Utz) - presentation [pdf 4.3MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD provider

Friday 15 November 2024

Plenary Session 2

Top 10 things University Lawyers need to know for 2025

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  • Christy Miller, Tim Gordon, Kym Fraser and Alison Kennedy (Partners, Clayton Utz) - presentation [pdf 3.2MB]

  • Moderator: Allison Shannon (Partner, Clayton Utz)

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

Plenary Session 3

The role of Legal in Critical Incidents

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  • Julie Freeman (General Counsel, University of Melbourne)

  • Olivia Perks (General Counsel, University of Sydney)

  • Shanti Berggren (General Counsel, University of Adelaide)

  • Linda Robertson (General Counsel, La Trobe University)

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CPD Category: Professional Skills

Concurrent Session 3

RESEARCH, COMMERCIALISATION & INNOVATION - Investment Funds and related activities in the Australian university context: the commercial drivers and benefits and challenges to navigate
  • Ken Jefferd (Managing Director of UM Commercialisation Pty Ltd) - presentation [pdf 666KB]

  • Hun Gan (CEO, Genesis Fund Manager)

  • Fiona Smedley (Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills)

  • Calum McConville (Investment Manager, Tin Alley Ventures)

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

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STAFF & STUDENTS - Upholding the Voltaire Dictum: Managing the Delicate Balance between Free Speech and a Safe Campus Environment
  • Kylie Gould (General Counsel University of Technology, Sydney) - presentation [pdf 531KB]

  • Helen Fleming (Director/Principal, HF Associates)

  • Professor Katy Barnett (Melbourne Law School​) ​

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

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PROJECTS & GOVERNANCE - Managing Complex Complaints
  • Sarah Fregon, Shannon Chapman, Simon Davidson and Will Spargo (Partners, Lander & Rogers) - presentation [pdf 2.1MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

Concurrent Session 4

RESEARCH, COMMERCIALISATION & INNOVATION - Artificial Intelligence Panel Discussion
  • Deborah Hook (Director, Legal Operations, University of Sydney)

  • Sam Burrett (AI Lead – Client Solutions, Legal Optimisation Consulting at Minter Ellison) - presentation [ppt 29.8MB]

  • Moderator:  Louis Italiano, Senior Lawyer, University of Melbourne

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CPD Category: Practice Management

Registered WA CPD Provider

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STAFF & STUDENTS - Student placements: complying with relevant regimes
  • Michael Nicolazzo (Partner, Maddocks) and Kirsten Sullivan (Senior Advisor, Maddocks) - presentation [pdf 993KB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

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PROJECTS & GOVERNANCE - Navigating Large Scale Procurements within the University Sector: Strategies, Risks, and Success
  • Annabel Griffin (Partner, King & Wood Mallesons) and Rebecca Slater (Special Counsel, King & Wood Mallesons) - presentation [pdf 3.9MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

Concurrent Session 5

RESEARCH, COMMERCIALISATION & INNOVATION - Clinical Trials Fundamentals
  • Rose Lenaghan (Director of the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity, University of Melbourne)

  • Katrina Chambers (Partner, Thomson Geer) - presentation [pdf 2.1MB]

  • Kristy Fickinger (Associate Director, Research Governance & Compliance, University of Melbourne)

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

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STAFF & STUDENTS - A Little Privacy Please
  • Jennifer Parkes (Partner, Hicksons) - presentation [pdf 819KB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

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PROJECTS & GOVERNANCE - Navigating major construction projects
  • Trevor Thomas (Partner, Corrs) and Chris Bell (Special Counsel, Corrs) - presentation [pdf 1.7MB]

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CPD Category: Substantive Law

Registered WA CPD Provider

Plenary Session 4

Mindfulness for wellbeing and peak performance
  • Craig Hassed (Monash University, Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies)

 

CPD Category: Professional Skills

* CPD category and points value are indicative. Attendees are responsible for allocating and recording CPD activities according to their applicable individual Law Society requirements.

Program and Presentations

LOCATION AND SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION OFFER

This year's Conference will be held at:

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Kambri Cultural Centre
The Australian National University (ANU)
525 Kambri Street

Acton ACT 2015

http://kambri.com.au/

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The centrally located Novotel Canberra is a short walk from the Kambri Function Centre:

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Novotel Canberra
65 Northbourne Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600

https://www.novotelcanberra.com.au/

 

SOUL has secured a preferential room rate at the Novotel Canberra for a limited number of rooms. This accommodation may be booked as part of the conference registration process and more details are available here. The earlier you register, the better the chance of a reserving a room at this rate.

Location/Accommodation

REGISTRATION FEES

Prices include GST

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Early Bird - available until COB 14 October, 2024

Member: $907.50

Non Member: $1127.50

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Standard Registration - from 15 October, 2024

Member: $1,017.50

Non Member: $1,237.50

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The registration fee includes:

  • Two days of the SOUL 2024 Conference including all refreshments and lunch

  • SOUL 2024 Conference Dinner being held at Ian Potter Queens Hall, State Library of Victoria

  • SOUL 2024 closing Cocktail Reception at somin-djerring, Melbourne Connect

Registration Fees

GALLERY

Gallery

SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous sponsors who supported the SOUL Conference 2024!

Platinum

Minter Ellison.png
Minter Ellison

Gold

Clayton Utz.png
Clayton Utz

Silver

Lander and Rogers.png
Lander and Rogers

Bronze

Aspen Legal.png
Aspen Legal
King and Wood.png
King & Wood Mallesons
Corrs Chambers Westgarth.png
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Source.png
Source
Hamilton Locke.png
Hamilton Locke
Maddocks.png
Maddocks
Hicksons.png
Hicksons Lawyers
Thomson Geer.png
Thomson Geer Lawyers
Sponsors
FAQ

FAQ

  • I am employed as a lawyer in private practice. Can I join SOUL?
    SOUL's purpose is to support lawyers working in Australian universities. Lawyers in private practice are not able to become ordinary voting members of SOUL. However, if you have been an ordinary member and have ceased to be employed by a University in the capacity of legal advisor, you may retain your membership for a period of 30 days or less. Alternatively, you may qualify for Honorary Membership (details here).
  • I am a lawyer working in a University outside Australia? Can I join SOUL?
    Currently, SOUL’s membership is for lawyers employed by a university in Australia only. However, SOUL may approve tertiary education institutions outside Australia for the purposes of membership upon application. Please contact us for further information.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions regarding the SOUL Conference 2023, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our conference organisers on info@kaigi.com.au.

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General information regarding SOUL and SOUL membership can be found on https://soul.edu.au.

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