Presenters

Alex Hammerton, Senior Associate, MinterEllison
Alexandria is a lawyer in the Projects, Infrastructure and Construction group at MinterEllison, where she has broad experience in both front end (including contract drafting and legislative review) and back end matters (including litigation, expert determinations and security of payment adjudications). Alexandria commenced as a graduate lawyer with top tier commercial firm MinterEllison in 2015, and completed rotations in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions, Tax and Projects, Infrastructure and Construction teams as part of the graduate program. Alexandria was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in October 2015 and to the High Court of Australia in November 2015.


Suzy Cairney, Principal, Macpherson Kelley
Suzy Cairney is a projects and commercial lawyer with particular experience in project development and operational contracts in the ports, civil construction and resources sectors. She has experience both in Australia and overseas, and has advised government clients, principals, developers, contractors and operators on a wide range of major infrastructure projects. Suzy has previously worked in-house as a European Counsel for an international port operator in Belgium, as Corporate Counsel for a Queensland water GOC and as in-house counsel to support the feasibility stage of a major new coal project for one of Australia's largest miners. Known for her practical common sense approach and commerciality, Suzy understands the drivers behind getting the deal done.


Justine Anderson, Associate, Carroll & O’Dea
Justine Anderson is a civil litigation lawyer focusing on medical litigation and her practice includes gynaecological and obstetric cases, wrongful birth, cases involving pulmonary embolism, sepsis, adverse surgical outcomes and coronial inquires. Justine is the President of the Women Lawyers Association of NSW Involved since 2016, Justine is the Immediate past Chair of the Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers Diversity Group which aims to advance diversity and inclusion within the firm. Prior to joining Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers she worked in a number pathology laboratories and private hospitals, providing her with a unique set of problem solving skills when approaching medical and other legal matters.


Karena Nicholls, Partner, Coutts Lawyers & Conveyances
Karena is a partner at Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers and is the head of the injury compensation and employment law teams. She is passionate and dedicated to helping her clients understand their rights and obligations and advising them on the best course of action to achieve their desired outcomes. It is her practical and client-orientated approach that has attributed to her authentic reputation positioning her as a highly regarded compensation and employment lawyer. Karena has 20 years of experience in Insurance Law. She has worked for international top tier firms and gained invaluable knowledge and skills. Her broad brush of skills has allowed her to develop a diverse practice that covers all facets of injury compensation and employment law. In terms of compensation law, Karena has extensive experience representing the plaintiff in all areas of personal injury claims including; workers compensation and workplace negligence, motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, asbestos, public liability including slip and falls, defective product and superannuation and total permanent disability claims, with a particular interest in acting for major catastrophic injury claims. She has acted for children with brain damage caused by negligence right through to workplace accidents causing loss of limbs or death. She is compassionate and caring and knows that claims of this nature take their toll on those involved directly and indirectly.