Emerging Lawyers Conference
Friday, 20 March 2026
Unlock momentum and own your future.
Kickstart your legal career with energy, insight, and community at WA’s premier event for lawyers in their first five years of practice. This dynamic and interactive new conference brings together emerging practitioners from across the profession for a day of inspiration, practical skills, candid conversations and genuinely useful networking. Hear from trailblazers who’ve navigated the early-career rollercoaster, dive into sessions designed to boost confidence and capability, and connect with peers facing the same challenges (and wins!) as you. Whether you’re looking for guidance, motivation or just a fresh spark, this is the place to find it. Fun, fast-paced, and built for the future of the profession.
Conference schedule
8:00am – 8:30am: Arrival, welcome coffee, and registration
8:30am – 8:45am: Opening remarks
8:45am – 9:30am: Keynote – Justice Michael Buss
Rethinking truth
Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Michael Buss, on truth, integrity, and the rule of law.
☑️ 0.5 CPD points, Substantive Law
9:30am – 10:30am: Interactive panel
Burnout, boundaries and being human
This session explores mental health in early practice: setting limits, spotting burnout, having difficult conversations, and surviving pressure. An interactive panel where you can ask questions and receive frank advice about protecting your wellbeing.
Speakers:
- Helen De Brito, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Aid WA
- Shayla Strapps, lawyer, consultant and speaker
☑️ 1.0 CPD point, Practice Management
10:30am – 11:00am: Morning tea
Grab a coffee, mingle, and stretch.
11:00 – 12:00pm: Workshop
The art of influence and negotiation
Success in law isn’t just about knowing the rules – it’s about persuading others to see things from your perspective. In this practical workshop, you will learn the essentials of influence and negotiation, from building rapport and reading the room to finding win–win solutions. Walk away with strategies you can apply in court, client meetings, the workplace and beyond.
☑️ 0.5 CPD points, Professional Skills
12.00pm – 1:00pm: Workshop
The ethics gym
Work through scenarios based on real life ethical conduct cases and emerging ethical issues. With the expert guidance of the Law Society’s Ethical Guidance Panel and Ethics Committee, this session will equip you with enhanced knowledge of key ethical obligations under the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015, and an improved ability to manage ethical issues arising in your own practice.
Speakers:
- Rachel Webber, Head of Legal and Compliance at Azure Capital and Council Member of the Professional Standards Councils
- Group facilitators from the Law Society’s Ethical Guidance Panel
☑️ 1.0 CPD point, Ethics
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Lunch
Enjoy a delicious range of food and drinks, spend time with beautiful therapy dogs and stretch your legs along the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan.
2:00pm – 2:45pm: Keynote – Kate Chaney MP
How to make your mark without losing who you are
Build your personal brand, learn to network authentically, identify your purpose, and build resilience to help you stay in the game for the long run.
☑️ 0.5 CPD points, Professional Skills
2:45pm – 3:45pm: Workshop
Converting relationships to instructions: Business development early on
What makes a good lawyer doesn’t always make a good salesperson. In this hands-on session, learn how to amplify your natural skillset to market yourself, and nurture business relationships to convert them into instructions (without any cringe).
Speakers:
- Tony Chong, Managing Partner (Perth), and Partner and Head of Corporate and Asia Desk (Australia), Squire Patton Boggs
- Kelly Brand, General Manager, Brand Barristers & Solicitors
- Catherine Cipro, National Business Manager, National Practice Management, RSM Australia
☑️ 1.0 CPD point, Practice Management
3:45pm – 4:45pm: Interactive panel
Straight from the bench
Step inside the courtroom from a different angle. This interactive session gives you the rare opportunity to put your questions directly to the bench. Our panel of judges will share candid insights on courtroom practice, professional etiquette, and what really makes an advocate stand out. Bring your questions – big or small – and gain perspectives you won’t find anywhere else.
Speakers:
- His Hon Michael Buss, former President of the Court of Appeal
- Her Hon Justice Amanda Forrester, Supreme Court of Western Australia
- Her Hon Judge Tania Jeyamohan, District Court of Western Australia
- Magistrate Trevor Darge, Magistrates Court of Western Australia
- Registrar Camille Goucke, National Judicial Registrar, Federal Court of Australia
- Thomas Coltrona, Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee (Facilitator)
☑️ 1.0 CPD point, Professional Skills
4:45pm – 4:50pm: Closing remarks
4:50pm – 6.50pm: Eat, drink, and be merry!
Unwind, make new connections, and chat to speakers and peers over drinks and nibbles at The Point Bar and Grill.
Venue details
Beaumonde on the Point
Nestled on the outskirts of Perth city, with expansive river vistas visible through floor-to-ceiling windows, the Grand Ballroom at Beaumonde On The Point offers a fresh space for our brand-new conference.
The Grand Ballroom is equipped with the latest technology to ensure a seamless conference experience and a spacious open-air balcony, providing ample space for mingling while soaking in the tranquility of the waterfront surroundings.
Getting to Beaumonde on the Point
306 Riverside Drive, East Perth
Parking: CPP parking is available onsite
Public Transport: Catch the number 24 bus from the city for free
Pricing and registration
Pricing:
$295 incl. GST (Law Society members) | $395 incl. GST (non-members)
*Please note that to create a booking you will be redirected to the MyPage portal
