‘Beat the Clock’ 2023 – Professional skills | The contract review toolkit

An experienced corporate lawyer, Lis advises listed and private companies, multinationals, and not-for-profit organisations on their structure, governance, operations and strategy.  Her clients appreciate her commitment to building long term relationships and understanding their culture and strategy so as to deliver timely, thoughtful and practical advice.

At a strategic level, Lis collaborates with boards and senior executives on significant transactions — such as capital raisings, restructuring, strategic collaborations and mergers and acquisitions (public and private).  Lis’s deep experience and practical insights are particularly appreciated by growing clients who seek her guidance on how to plan and execute these important projects.

Lis also helps organisations review their governance framework so that it is “fit for purpose”, and provides emotionally intelligent advice on engaging with key stakeholders around complex member approvals, or dealing with conflicts of interest.  In this, Lis brings additional perspectives as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  For listed companies, Lis gives practical direction on meeting continuous disclosure obligations.

At an operational level, Lis guides clients in how to integrate business ethics and legal compliance into “business as usual”, training boards and managers on fulfilling their key legal obligations, such as privacy and directors’ & officers’ duties.  Lis also designs contract review frameworks in line with the organisation’s risk appetite as well as drafting and negotiating complex contracts.

Lis’s strong focus on Life Sciences and Healthcare is reflected in her appointment as deputy chair of AusBiotech’s AusMedtech Advisory Group, and as a member of AusBiotech’s State Committee for NSW.   Lis has also actively participated in AusBiotech industry projects including AusBiotech’s Guide for Directors of Life Sciences Companies, AusBiotech’s Guide for Investors in Life Sciences Companies and pitching workshops for Life Sciences CEOs.  She enjoys being a “connector” between people in her network, to strengthen the Australian life sciences ecosystem.

Ben is a strategic advisor across the full project lifecycle, from procurement and contract administration through to dispute resolution and avoidance. He has particular expertise in the strategic management and resolution of complex disputes involving major infrastructure projects. He has worked with clients across a range of industries, including power (renewable and non-renewable), transport, utilities and property development.

In addition to managing formal disputes, Ben typically assists clients in four key areas.

1. Where a project has been significantly delayed or is otherwise in distress.
2. Where there are allegations that works are defective.
3. Working to secure (or deny) cashflow on a project via statutory adjudication, claims preparation or commercial negotiations.
4. Advisory work regarding risk allocation and mitigation, claims and contract administration.

Ben’s initial focus is on collaborating with clients to understand their commercial objectives, and then developing and implementing strategies to achieve those objectives cost-effectively. Where a formal dispute is unavoidable, Ben has a strong reputation as an astute litigator in forums such as adjudication, expert determination, arbitration and litigation.

Ben is known for achieving successful outcomes for his clients though practical, commercially sensible advice, technical excellence and emotional intelligence.

Meriel is an internationally recognised dispute resolution and litigation lawyer with expertise in domestic and international arbitrations, court-ordered and private mediations and expert determinations.

As a leading advisor in the energy, mining, transport, construction, agribusiness and life sciences and healthcare sectors, she has also worked in London, the Caribbean and is highly experienced in the Australian court system having practised in both Sydney and Perth, as well as running cases in Melbourne.

Meriel assists clients at the contract drafting and negotiation stage of a transaction in order to put them in the best position to avoid a future dispute.

Meriel has a broad range of disputes experience, including: advising on domestic gas and LNG pricing disputes; representing clients in industries including agribusiness and mining on joint venture disputes; and advising clients in industries including mining, life sciences and healthcare, logistics, shipping and transport, on complex contractual disputes. She also regularly advises clients about corporate and minority shareholder disputes, construction disputes and on acquisitions by scheme of arrangement.

In addition to holding a First Class Honours Degree in Law, Meriel is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors course.

Meriel holds a number of board positions including Director of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce (WA Branch), Director of Telethon Community Cinemas and Director of Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG).  She is also a mentor with Mentor Walks and an active member of 100 Women and the British Business Network.