Commonwealth Law Conference
by Law Council of Australia’s Federal Dispute Resolution Section
The Commonwealth Law Conference is an annual event organized by the Law Council of Australia's Federal Dispute Resolution Section. The 2026 conference will be held on 27 February at the Hilton Sydney, bringing together leaders from the legal profession, academia, and the judiciary to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Federal Court of Australia and to discuss current issues in federal litigation and dispute resolution.
Key sessions will include "The Federal Court at 50," "Judicial Review of Migration Matters," "Administrative Law and the NDIS," and the "Punters v Bosses" debate. These sessions aim to provide insights into significant developments and challenges in federal law.
The conference will feature distinguished speakers such as Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia and Justice Julie Ward, President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Attendees will have opportunities for professional networking during the event and at the post-conference drinks and refreshments.
Legal professionals, academics, and students interested in federal litigation and dispute resolution are encouraged to attend to gain valuable knowledge, engage with experts, and expand their professional networks.
Speakers(23)
Asaf Fisher
Senior General Counsel at Australian Government Solicitor
Asaf Fisher is a Senior General Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor.
Belinda Kochanowska
Intrepidus Law
Belinda Kochanowska is associated with Intrepidus Law.
Chief Justice Debra Mortimer
Chief Justice at Federal Court of Australia
Chief Justice Debra Mortimer serves as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.
Dan Williams
Partner at MinterEllison
Dan Williams is a Partner at MinterEllison.
Dominic Toomey SC
President at NSW Bar Association
Dominic Toomey SC is the President of the NSW Bar Association.
Greg Johnson
PG Hely Chambers
Greg Johnson is associated with PG Hely Chambers.
Josh Bornstein
National Head of Employment Law at Maurice Blackburn
Josh Bornstein is the National Head of Employment Law at Maurice Blackburn.
Judge Peter Papadopoulos
Judge at Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
Judge Peter Papadopoulos serves in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
Juliana Warner
Immediate Past President at Law Council of Australia
Juliana Warner is the Immediate Past President of the Law Council of Australia.
Justice Julie Ward
President at New South Wales Court of Appeal
Justice Julie Ward is the President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal.
Justine Munsie
Partner at Addison Lawyers
Justine Munsie is a Partner at Addison Lawyers.
Kruna Dorevic
Deputy President at Administrative Review Tribunal
Kruna Dorevic serves as Deputy President of the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Matthew Hawker
Partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Matthew Hawker is a Partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers.
Pawel Zielinski
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Pawel Zielinski is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section.
Peter Woulfe
Chair at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Peter Woulfe is the Chair of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section.
Prof Michael Legg
Professor at UNSW Sydney
Professor Michael Legg is a Professor at UNSW Sydney.
Professor Emeritus Joellen Riley
Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus Joellen Riley holds the title of Professor Emeritus.
Rebecca Gilsenan
Partner at Maurice Blackburn
Rebecca Gilsenan is a Partner at Maurice Blackburn.
Simon Fitzpatrick SC
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Simon Fitzpatrick SC is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section.
Sylvia Fernandez
Partner at Thomson Geer
Sylvia Fernandez is a Partner at Thomson Geer.
Tania Wolff
President at Law Council of Australia
Tania Wolff serves as the President of the Law Council of Australia.
Thomas Liu
Barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne
Thomas Liu is a Barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne.
Valerie Pereira
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Valerie Pereira is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section.
Event Details
- Date
- February 27, 2026
- Location
- 🇦🇺 Sydney, Australia
- Hilton Sydney
- Pricing
- AUD 525.00 - AUD 675.00
- Audience
- Legal professionals, academics, and students interested in federal litigation and dispute resolution.
- CLE Credits
- It is the responsibility of the individual member to determine whether CPD points can be earned for attendance, as mandatory CPD requirements vary between each State and Territory.
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