Staying ahead requires more than strong drafting skills. Lawyers must be able to anticipate emerging risks, negotiate effective protections, and structure agreements that remain fit for purpose in a changing commercial environment. Join an expert panel of leading New Zealand practitioners for this advanced half-day intensive and gain practical guidance on AI-assisted contract drafting, insolvency risk allocation, intellectual property protections, and contracting strategies during periods of economic volatility.

Presenters

Mark Kelly, Commercial Mediator, Bankside Chambers
Mark is one of New Zealand’s leading commercial mediators, mediating full-time, throughout New Zealand. He has over 30 years of experience in dispute resolution. Mark is a past President, and a Fellow, of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators. Mark has extensive experience successfully mediating disputes involving: general commercial issues, construction, insurance, intellectual property, trusts and estates, relationship property, rural and farm debt, sports, earthquake, weathertightness and international issues. Mark won the Mediator of the Year Award at the 2019 and 2022 New Zealand Law Awards. In 2023 and 2024 he was named as one of New Zealand’s most influential lawyers. He practices from Bankside Chambers, Auckland.

Lynne Van, Partner, Lane Neave
Lynne is a general commercial litigator with particular expertise in insolvency, property, securities enforcement, and recoveries. She has appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Maori Appellate Court. Lynne successfully acted for the liquidators of Northern Crest, parent company of the Blue Chip group, against Robt Jones Holdings in the leading decision from the Supreme Court on voidable transactions and third party payments. She regularly advises liquidators, receivers, administrators and private clients on a range of complex insolvency related matters including restructuring, breach of directors’ duties claims, voidable transactions and other preference claims.


Anton Blijlevens, Principal, AJ Park Law
Anton joined AJ Park in 1994 after graduating from the University of Canterbury with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He gained his law degree from The University of Auckland in 2004. Experienced in IP protection strategies and conducting IP audits for mechanical and manufacturing technology firms, Anton has a track record of helping exporters be successful locally and internationally. As head of AJ Park‚ specialist China team, Anton provides IP strategy advice to Australian and New Zealand companies looking to do business in or with China. His clients come from diverse industries such as packaging, marine engineering, aviation, agritech, and heavy engineering. Anton has received many industry awards including a listing as one of New Zealand‚ top legal practitioners in the field of patents in the 2017 Expert Guides. He was also listed as one of the world‚ leading patent professionals in the 2016 IAM Patent 1000 index.


John Walton, Arbitrator and Commercial Mediator, Bankside Chambers
John Walton is a barrister, at Bankside Chambers in Auckland, practising as an arbitrator (both domestically and internationally), construction contracts adjudicator and commercial mediator. He also probity audits and peer reviews major construction and public procurement projects as an independent advisor. John is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and in Hong Kong; he is a past President of AMINZ, Fellow of AMINZ, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK and of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is also a member of the Society of Construction Arbitrators in the UK, and in 2019 was made an Honorary Life Member of the Society of Construction Law.


Peter Fernando, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
Peter specialises in artificial intelligence, privacy, technology and cyber. He is one of New Zealand's leading advisors on AI adoption and governance, helping organisations navigate the legal, regulatory and practical challenges of deploying AI across their operations. His advice spans AI procurement and contracting, responsible AI frameworks, data protection, and the intersection of AI with intellectual property and privacy law. Peter sits on Duncan Cotterill's AI and Automation Steering Committee, keeping him at the forefront of how AI is transforming both legal practice and the broader business landscape. This internal leadership role complements his client-facing work, giving him a practical, hands-on perspective that goes beyond theory. Peter also brings deep experience advising private and public sector clients on technology projects of all sizes and general commercial deals. With qualifications in both law and computer science, and hands-on experience in the IT industry, Peter combines genuine technical understanding with pragmatic legal advice. Whether he is negotiating complex technology contracts, advising boards on AI strategy and risk, or working behind the scenes, Peter helps his clients reach outcomes that fit.