Sprint to the Finish CPD Program

SESSION 1 | Humans in the world of AI

12pm - 1:05pm AEDT 

CPD Category: Professional Skills | CPD Point: 1

AI is evolving faster than most corporate approval cycles. Our biggest differentiator is not the tools we deploy, but the mindsets, habits and behaviours that shape how we work, learn, adapt and lead. Think of this as our Human Operating System (HOS).

In conversation with the dynamic Dom Price, work futurist formerly at Atlassian, we’ll cut through the noise and get practical on how organisations, teams and individuals can upgrade their HOS to unlock the real value of AI, beyond efficiency and buzzword bingo.

Three focus areas:

• organisations - design for adaptability, rather than control
• teams - If AI is going to change how we work, it’s teams, not leaders or platforms that determine whether it succeeds
• individuals - the real frontier is the mindset and behaviours of every individual.

Register now and expect a genuine shift in how you think about AI, plus practical ideas you can apply immediately, whatever your role.

Speakers

Dom Price, Work Futurist
Matthew Swinn, Managing Partner - Practice Excellence, King & Wood Mallesons

SESSION 2 | In the National Interest: At regulatory crossroads - what's next for a stronger economy?

2pm - 3:05pm AEDT 

CPD Category: Substantive Law | CPD Point: 1

Australia’s national interest framework has evolved over the past decade, influenced by foreign ownership, supply chain management, national security and technology development.  

Underpinning this are macro-economic trends - geopolitics, geoeconomics, trade and digitalisation - combined with an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The government’s approach to regulating threats continues to build around critical inputs, infrastructure and technology, along with supply and data.

We will explore how national interest themes are influencing the current regulatory environment and can impact your business, including:

• foreign direct investment and merger controls
• national security considerations, including export controls and sanctions, application of government policies and critical infrastructure, and
• increased focus on integrity and foreign influence.

Join us as we discuss recent events, share strategies on navigating the current framework and explore potential reforms to align with national interest policies.  

Speakers

Annabel Griffin, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Lizzie Knight, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Jennifer Bell, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

SESSION 3 | Mergers in Motion: An early look at the new mandatory ACCC merger regime in practice

12pm - 1:05pm AEDT

CPD Category: Substantive Law | CPD Point: 1

The new mandatory notification regime replaces the current voluntary system on 1 January 2026, bringing the most significant overhaul of merger controls in decades.  

Join us for an interactive discussion between our competition, M&A, real estate and finance specialists about: 

• how the new mandatory regime is affecting clients in different sectors
• key practical take-outs from the short period the new regime has been in operation, and
• steps clients are taking across sectors to ensure compliance and successfully navigate the new processes.

Speakers

Jennifer Barron, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Christopher Kok, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Emily Masters, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Max Allan, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

SESSION 4 | Risky business: Employee liability in a changing landscape

2pm - 3:05pm AEDT

CPD Category: Substantive Law | CPD Points: 1

Employers currently navigate a complex web of legislative and regulatory demands. High-profile court decisions, multi-million-dollar underpayment claims, parliamentary scrutiny and media attention have elevated employment law compliance to a material risk reaching boardrooms. 

This session features our employment, safety and corporate governance specialists who will explore best practice decision making. Our panel will:

• equip legal teams to confidently and proactively navigate complexities, taking a risk-based approach that enhances transparency and accountability
• predict key challenges from employee class actions and union sponsored representative actions 
• examine the fall-out from other key employment developments in the tribunals and from regulators, and 
• explain how to manage restructuring and organisational change processes and deal with regulators.

Speakers

Andrew Gray, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Anthony Longland, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Kirsty Faichen, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Professor Emerita Joellen Riley, University of Sydney

SESSION 5 | AI in practice: Tricks and traps from early adopters  

12pm - 1:05pm AEDT

CPD Category: Practice Management and Business Skills | CPD Point: 1

Organisations face unique challenges as they look to leverage emerging AI and generative AI technology. 

In this session, KWM Partners Cheng Lim and Bryony Evans host industry leaders as they share their ‘on-the-ground’ experiences. These AI-first movers will share practical examples of:

• successful use cases for AI technology and focus areas for business
• roadblocks encountered when rolling out AI at scale and how they were navigated, and
• what Boards and senior management can do to ensure effective governance frameworks for implementing AI

Speakers

Cheng Lim, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Bryony Evans, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Jacqui Davy, Head of Privacy and Product Counsel Global, Canva
Belinda White, Group Practice Lead - Data Science, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

SESSION 6 | Nice folks finish first: Why legal ethics are good for business

2pm - 3:05pm AEDT 

CPD Category: Ethics and Professional Responsibility | CPD Point: 1

Ethics is more than compliance – it’s a strategic advantage. Join this session for practical tips on how to protect reputation, build trust and drive business value at a time of dramatic changes in ways of working. 

In a session designed for in-house counsel, our panel - featuring an employment lawyer and litigator - will explore the ethical responsibilities at the intersection of legal advice, commercial judgement and culture.  

Walk away with tools to align ethics with business objectives, including how to: 

• make better decisions to reduce litigation, regulatory and compliance risk
• better manage stakeholder conflicts
• navigate privilege and confidentiality in hybrid work environments, and
• safeguard brand value.

Speakers

Ben Kiely, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Cilla Robinson, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

SESSION 7 | Building the Future: Infrastructure Investment and Delivery in Australia

12pm - 1:20pm AEDT 

CPD Category: Substantive Law | CPD Point: 1

There’s never been a more opportune or complex time for investment in infrastructure. From the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games to the accelerating energy transition, Australia's $230b infrastructure pipeline is set to build the nation and boost productivity in our economy.

Our speakers will unpack the opportunities and challenges shaping Australia. Whether you’re an investor, developer, delivery partner, financier, or just naturally interested in Australia’s future, this is an essential discussion on positioning for success in a dynamic infrastructure market. 

Speakers

Rebecca Finkelstein, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Jane Hider, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Hamish Macpherson, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

SESSION 8 | The future of money: Impacts across the economy

2pm - 3:05pm AEDT 

CPD Category: Substantive Law | CPD Point: 1

A pipeline of transformative changes impacting individuals and corporates are set for Australia’s economy and financial services system.  

This session will explore fundamental questions on the future of money in the Asia-Pacific region, including:

• What significant regulatory changes are coming to the payments and digital asset industries – and is Australia prepared? 
• What should new market entrants across the region keep top of mind? 
• What does it mean for businesses in financial services and other sectors, including how they interact with their customers, counterparties, stakeholders, staff and regulators? 
• How do these changes fit into the drive for improved productivity across the Australian economy? 

Speakers

Urszula McCormack, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Kate Jackson-Maynes, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Sam Farrell, Senior Associate, King & Wood Mallesons