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(29)
Asaf Fisher
Senior General Counsel at Australian Government Solicitor
Asaf Fisher serves as Senior General Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor, advising on significant legal matters for the government.
Belinda Kochanowska
Principal at Intrepidus Law
Belinda Kochanowska is the principal of Intrepidus Law, specializing in administrative and public 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, specializing in commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
Dominic Toomey SC
President at NSW Bar Association
Dominic Toomey SC serves as President of the NSW Bar Association, leading the professional body for barristers in New South Wales.
Greg Johnson
Barrister at PG Hely Chambers
Greg Johnson is a barrister at PG Hely Chambers, with expertise in commercial and equity law.
John Emmerig
Partner at Thomson Geer
John Emmerig is a partner at Thomson Geer, focusing on complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
John Walker
Executive Chairman at CASL
John Walker is the Executive Chairman of CASL, focusing on litigation funding and legal finance.
Josh Bornstein
National Head of Employment Law at Maurice Blackburn
Josh Bornstein leads the Employment Law division at Maurice Blackburn, specializing in employment and industrial relations law.
Judge Peter Papadopoulos
Judge at Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
Judge Peter Papadopoulos serves in Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, handling family law matters.
Juliana Warner
Immediate Past President at Law Council of Australia
Juliana Warner is the Immediate Past President of the Law Council of Australia, having led the organization in the previous term.
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, focusing on intellectual property and media law.
Kruna Dorevic
Deputy President at Administrative Review Tribunal
Kruna Dorevic serves as Deputy President of the Administrative Review Tribunal, overseeing administrative law matters.
Lachlan Armstrong KC
Barrister at Victorian Bar
Lachlan Armstrong KC is a barrister at the Victorian Bar, with expertise in commercial and public law.
Matthew Hawker
Partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Matthew Hawker is a partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers, focusing on insurance and commercial litigation.
Miranda Nagy
Principal Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Miranda Nagy is a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, specializing in class actions and consumer law.
Pawel Zielinski
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Pawel Zielinski is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section, contributing to federal litigation initiatives.
Peter Woulfe
Chair at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Peter Woulfe is the Chair of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section, overseeing initiatives in federal litigation and dispute resolution.
Prof Michael Legg
Professor at UNSW Sydney
Professor Michael Legg is a professor at UNSW Sydney, focusing on civil procedure and class actions.
Professor Emeritus Joellen Riley
Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus Joellen Riley is recognized for her contributions to employment and industrial law.
Rebecca Gilsenan
Partner at Maurice Blackburn
Rebecca Gilsenan is a partner at Maurice Blackburn, known for her work in class actions and consumer protection law.
Simon Fitzpatrick SC
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Simon Fitzpatrick SC is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section, contributing to federal litigation and dispute resolution initiatives.
Sylvia Fernandez
Partner at Thomson Geer
Sylvia Fernandez is a partner at Thomson Geer, specializing in corporate and commercial law.
Tania Wolff
President at Law Council of Australia
Tania Wolff is the President of the Law Council of Australia, representing the national voice of the legal profession.
The Honourable 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, bringing extensive experience in federal law and the judiciary.
The Honourable 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, recognized for her contributions to appellate law and judicial leadership.
Thomas Liu
Barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne
Thomas Liu is a barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne, specializing in commercial and public law.
Valerie Pereira
Executive Member at Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Valerie Pereira is an Executive Member of the Federal Dispute Resolution Section, contributing to federal litigation initiatives.
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.