Personal Injury Conference
What are you looking for from CPD? Updates? Insights? Subject matter experts sharing wisdoms? Look no further. From an examination of the new Victims of Crime legislation and workers compensation update to an exploration of personal injury class actions, public and product liability claims and damages, plus bespoke presentations for personal injury lawyers on ethics, professional skills and practice management. 243V14
Description
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
4 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is based on VIC legislation
Session 1
Personal Injury Law Roundup
Chair: Michael Lombard, Principal, Lombard Mediation
9.00am to 9.45am Victims of Crime: A New Era in Victims of Crime Assistance
- An introduction to the new Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 2022
- The solicitor’s/advocate’s role under the new scheme
- Transitional provisions for claims existing under the previous legislation
- Appeal rights for victims of crime
Presented by Joshua Reimer, Managing Director, Johnstone & Reimer Lawyers
9.45am to 10.30am Public, Product and Occupiers’ Liability Update
Explore recent developments in the area of public, product and occupier's liability claims, including;
- Statutory duties, defences and modifications to the common law
- Key cases and legislative changes impacting the law in this area
Presented by Richard Johnson, Principal, McCabes
10.30am to 11.15am Class Actions in Personal Injury Cases
- Brief overview of the legal mechanism including the fundamental principles and requirements for certification of class actions
- Examination of recent legal developments, landmark class action cases, and evolving trends in class action jurisprudence
- Practical guidance on initiating and defending against class actions, including strategic considerations, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
Presented by Michel Margalit, Managing Principal, Margalit Lawyers; Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law, Leading Public Liability Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff), Doyles Guide 2023 Janine McIlwraith, Principal and Emily Sinclair, Senior Associate & Practice Leader, Margalit Lawyers
11.15am to 11.30am Morning Tea
11.30am to 12.20pm Workers Compensation Update
- The effect of recent amendments
- Serious injury hurdles
- Recent relevant decisions on statutory entitlements
- Relevant recent common law decisions
Presented by Sach Fernando, Principal Lawyer, Maxiom Law; Accredited Specialist, Personal Injury Law, Leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) Doyles Guide 2023
12.20pm to 1.15pm Assessment of Economic Loss
- Discussion on developments in assessing “lifelong” economic loss
- What was the Plaintiff going to do with their lives “but for”
- Issues of proof
Presented by Miguel Belmar Salas, Barrister, Green’s List
Session 2
Ethics, Practice Management and Professional Skills for Personal Injury Lawyers
Chair: Sha Hotchin, Partner, Longton Legal; Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury
Professional Skills
2.00pm to 3.00pm Evidence in Psychiatric Injury Claims
- Report techniques
- Deciphering the medicolegal report
- Pitfalls for new report writers
- Getting the most out of your expert
Presented by Dr Leon Turnbull, Psychiatrist
Practice Management
3.00pm to 4.00pm Legal Costs in Personal Injury Matters: Considerations in Maximising Recovery
- Improving your billing review process
- Practical tips on party/party costs and solicitor/client costs recovery
- What is the significant changes to costs scales commencing 1 July 2024 mean for personal injury lawyers
- Managing counsel’s costs
- Cost implications of Calderbank Offers v Formal Offers v MFOs/WFOs with reference to legislation and case law
Presented by John Colonna, Principal Lawyer & Director, Costs Law Specialists & Associates; Accredited Specialist in Costs Law
4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
4.15pm to 5.15pm Confidentiality and its Connotations
- Your obligation to maintain strict confidentiality, highlighting attorney-client privilege and the duty of confidentiality
- Discuss the importance of protecting client information and avoiding conflicts of interest
- Explore the potential consequences of breaching confidentiality, including legal, professional, and reputational repercussions
Presented by Geraldine Collins, In-House Counsel, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Presenters
Michael Lombard
Michael Lombard is a mediator specialising in personal injury claims at Lombard Mediation. Michael was formerly a Partner at Adviceline Injury lawyers when he was awarded Personal Injury Lawyer of the year 2019 by Best Lawyers in Australia. He was previously involved in high profile cases such as the Bourke Street rampage and the Flinders Street tram stop attack, as well as a variety of public liability and industrial accident cases. He attained accreditation in Mediation in 2013 and now practices exclusively as a mediator. Michael has also served as a director of the Law Institute and is a current member of the Law Institute ethics committee. He was a Trustee of Lawaid for 10 years, four of which he acted as chairman.
Joshua Reimer
Joshua has more than a decade of experience working in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) jurisdiction. He is Managing Director of Johnstone and Reimer Lawyers, which handles more than 20% of Victoria’s VOCAT matters. He has appeared in hundreds of Hearings and Directions Hearings before the Tribunal over the years, and has handled numerous complex and high profile VOCAT matters. He has also run a number of successful appeals of VOCAT decisions in VCAT. Joshua began his legal career in the United States, working in San Francisco for a plaintiff firm where he gained experience in personal injuries, employment, and small business litigation, and was also involved with national class action lawsuits. Joshua has also previously owned and operated his own retail business in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, providing him with invaluable real life experience which he brings to his practice of law. Since co-founding Johnstone and Reimer Lawyers more than 8 years ago, Joshua has grown the practice to more than 45 staff across Family Law, Wills & Estates, Personal Injuries, Property, and VOCAT teams. Joshua most enjoys mentoring and training junior lawyers and support staff on the team, to ensure the firm is able to provide a consistent, high level of service and legal skills to clients. When not at the office Joshua enjoys spending time with his wife and young family. He follows Essendon in the Australian Football League and Vancouver in the National Hockey League (a throwback to his growing up days in Canada!). He is an active member of his local Lilydale Rats Inline Hockey Club, where he is able to pretend he is still up to playing hockey, with mixed success.
Richard Johnson
Richard has practised solely in insurance law for over 15 years and has been integral to the growth of the Melbourne general liability practice at McCabes. With specialities in personal injury, workers liability and property damage, Richard regularly provides advice to insurers relating to complex indemnity issues and through this work is widely regarded for his exceptional defence and negotiation skills in highly technical matters. He has a special interest in Sports related injury claims and is a committee member of the Law Institute of Victoria Sports Law Committee.
Michel Margalit
Michel is the Managing Principal of Margalit Injury Lawyers. She has been recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria as an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, and a second Master of Applied Laws (Wills and Estates) from the College of Law. Michel was recognised by the Doyle’s Guide in both 2021, 2022 and 2023 rankings of Victoria’s Best Lawyers. Michel sits on the Australian Lawyers Alliance Committee and is the Victorian Director. She practices in class actions, TAC, WorkCover, public liability and common law claims including those to recover compensation for victims of violent assault and sexual assault.
Janine McIlwraith
Before commencing her career in law, Janine worked as a health professional in public and private hospitals. Since commencing her career in law Janine has worked almost exclusively in the health and medical law arena. Janine has worked for both large and small firms. She has co-authored two prominent medical law texts, co-authored the National Disability Insurance Scheme Handbook and has written and edited a number of chapters for Halsbury’s Laws of Australia. Janine has taught Medical Law and Public Health Law at the University of Western Sydney and also taught Health Law to Masters and JD students at Monash University.
Emily Sinclair
Emily is experienced across a broad range of personal injury matters including WorkCover, TAC, public liability and abuse. Emily now practises in class actions and is currently working on two class actions against the Australian Football League. Emily uses her broad ranging litigation experience to drive large and complex matters. Emily is also the practice leader at Margalit Lawyers’ Prahran office. She is a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Women Lawyers.
Sach Fernando
Sach Fernando is a leading lawyer and Specialist in Personal Injury law, accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria. He is committed to guiding his clients on their road to recovery and will ensure that their weekly income and medical treatment are paid on time. Sach is also an active member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, an organisation that is committed to protecting the rights of individuals, and the Law Institute of Victoria, who named him as a Rising Star in 2017. Sach is of Sri Lankan heritage and speaks fluent Sinhalese. His service to the Sri Lankan Australian community was recognised in 2016 when he was awarded Young Sri Lankan of the Year. Sach founded Maxiom Injury Lawyers with a commitment to providing high quality legal advice, which is personal and affordable.
Miguel Belmar Salas
Since coming to the Bar in 2002, Miguel Belmar has developed a practice in all aspects of land use law including: Town planning; Local government; Compulsory acquisition; Planning scheme amendments; Prosecutions/enforcement; and Environment protection. Miguel has appeared for, and advised local councils, water authorities, objectors and proponents. He also writes the blog http://townplanningbarrister.wordpress.com that provides case summaries and commentary on land development matters decided by VCAT and the courts. Miguel is also experienced in conducting matters involving contractual disputes both in a commercial and workplace context. This has included representing clients appearing before disciplinary tribunals. He is also has significant experience in conducting common law proceedings arising from transport and workplace accidents. He is a member of the Victorian Football Federation Tribunal that hears and determines matters involving infringements of the rules of soccer. Miguel is also a member of the Victorian Bar Student Engagement Committee as well as the Bar's Equality & Diversity Committee. In 2010 he became a nationally accredited mediator and he conducts mediations in his chosen fields of practice.
Sha Hotchin
Sha Hotchin is a Partner at Longton Legal and leads the Personal Injury team in Melbourne, Victoria. Sha and her team provide guidance and advice to Victorians who have suffered injustice and injury. Sha has been practicing over 13 years and is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law. She is passionate in advocating for people who have suffered injury. Upon graduating, Sha worked as a WorkCover Claims Officer for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. This role exposed Sha first hand to the devastating impact of work related injuries. She became inspired to fight for the rights of injured workers. Sha moved to a small city firm where she built a strong foundation in representing the rights of many injured people in WorkCover, TAC and Public Liability cases. She then spent the following 10 years honing her skills running large, complex court cases at two large international plaintiff litigation firms before joining the team at Longton in 2022. In her role as Partner, Sha combines her passion and dedication for standing up for injured plaintiffs with her legal acumen to ensure each client’s case is run with the utmost care and skill. She considers it an honour to assist clients in regaining their independence and will go above and beyond to ensure justice is achieved for all. Any reference to a "Partner" means an employee with sufficient seniority. Longton Legal is an incorporated legal practice and not a partnership.
Dr Leon Turnbull
Dr Leon Turnbull is an Occupational and Forensic Psychiatrist. He has resigned from most administrative and committee roles. He is an Honorary Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry at Melbourne University. He is on the medical panels. He provides support to Victoria Police and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. He has a particular interest in public liability/medical negligence.
John Colonna
John is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Costs Law. He is an Accredited Costs Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria. He currently sits on the Law Institute of Victoria's Costs Law Executive Committee and the Costs Law Advisory Committee. John has practiced exclusively as a Costs Lawyer since his admission to practice, initially at a private firm of costs consultants and then at a major national plaintiff-focused legal practice. He is also the former Principal Lawyer and Manager of LIV Costs Lawyers, which conducts the legal costing activities of the Law Institute of Victoria. John appears regularly as an advocate before the Costs Court both in mediations and upon taxation of contested bills of costs. He is experienced in assisting firms settle matters efficiently and economically, including in advising as to appropriate ranges for negotiation. His experience as a costs advocate gives him invaluable expertise in drawing itemised bills of costs and objections. Being regularly exposed to rulings made on items in bills of costs, John is well placed to advise solicitors how to maximise their costs recovery, or minimise their clients’ liability to pay another party’s costs. John has also been engaged as an expert witness and prepared thousands of assessments of costs both on a party/party and solicitor/client basis on all scales in the Victorian and Federal jurisdictions. On numerous occasions John has been called upon by the Legal Services Board and Commissioner to advise on the basis of various costs agreements and to assess the reasonableness of legal costs charged by a law practice to their client. John regularly presents compulsory professional development sessions and workshops to legal practitioners on legal costs and their compliance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law. John currently sits on the WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Costs Consultant Panels.
Geraldine Collins
Geraldine Collins is a Principal at Maurice Blackburn, based in Melbourne. She has more than 20 years legal experience in personal injury compensation claims. Doyles Guide lists Geraldine as a leading lawyer in motor vehicle accident compensation law in Victoria. She is a LIV accredited specialist in personal injuries law. She has been both the Victorian and National President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA). Geraldine was a member of the working group which undertook a complete re-write of the TAC Protocols during 2014 - 16. The new Protocols were introduced in July 2016. She is a member of the working group which has just finalised the Supplementary Common Law Protocols, which commenced 1 January 2020. She sits on the TAC Legal Liaison Committee, LIV TAC Committee, TAC Protocols Review Forum, TAC legislative review committee, the LIV Specialisation Committee and is a former chair of the LIV's Litigation Lawyers' Executive. Geraldine has trained as a (snow) ski guide for people with disabilities and is involved in that activity each winter.
Venue
InterContinental Melbourne
495 Collins St
Melbourne 3000
VIC Australia
Parking information
Valet Parking is only available for Resident Guests.
Nearby Parking:
Wilson Parking - View locations and rates here
Directions
Nearest Public Transport:
- By train: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
- By subway: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
- By Tram: Trams on routes 12, 109, 11 and 48 all pass the hotel along Collins Street, get off at the William Street stop (3-minute walk). The hotel is located within the free tram zone which means travel within the CBD on the tram is free.