Training and events
Upcoming events
2023 AGLS Conference – registrations open
The conference is being held on Thursday 21 September 2022 as a hybrid event, with the option to attend either in-person at the Hotel Realm in Canberra or virtually.
The Changing Landscape of Government Law
The 2023 AGLS Conference theme, The Changing Landscape of Government Law, will explore contemporary developments in the practice of government law. Conference sessions will arm practitioners with practical skills for responding to social, legal and technical changes that impact the way we practice.
Conference program (View full program)
- The Master of Ceremonies is James O’Loghlin, ABC radio and television host, comedian and author who is best known for hosting over 300 episodes of ‘The New Inventors’ on ABC TV, and was a corporate and criminal lawyer in a past-life.
- Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department and head of the Australian Government Legal Service will provide the opening address.
- The Keynote Speaker is Matthew Blunn, The Australian Government Solicitor.
- A reflection on various aspects of how integrity manifests in the role of a government lawyer with:
- Dr Ben Gauntlett, Deputy Commissioner, National Anti-Corruption Commission
- Rajitha Srikhanta, Deputy Commissioner, Robodebt Royal Commission/Law, Design and Practice, Australian Taxation Office
- Sue Robertson, Head, APS Integrity Taskforce, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- A presentation on the legal and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence in the delivery of legal services with:
- Professor Jeannie Paterson, founding of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics
- Shane Budden, Special Counsel, Ethics, Queensland Law Society.
- Dr Sean Gallagher, Director of the Centre for the New Workforce, will explore the cause of overwork and exhaustion in the public service, and the impact of remote and flexible work, while providing practical and actionable insights.
- A panel session to discuss the art of being an employer of choice for government lawyers with:
- Andrew Evers, General Counsel, Australian Submarine Agency
- Alice Linacre, First Assistant Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department
- Courtney Lor, Principal Legal Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
- Lisa Keeling, AGLS Board Chair and General Counsel, Australian Digital Health Agency will provide the closing address.
Event details
- The event will be delivered face to face at the Hotel Realm in Canberra or via the EventsAir platform.
- Attendees registered to attend virtually will be provided an individual link to access the event via an IP address (similar to any web site people would access). It does not require any downloads or installation of apps to a PC. There will be an opportunity to test accessibility of the platform and a link will be sent to attendees prior to the event. The conference manager will work with attendees to resolve any issues that arise.
- The sessions will be recorded and accessible to all attendees (in-person and virtual) for 3 weeks following the conference.
- Attendees will be able to claim continuing professional development points. Further information will be provided once the program is finalised.
- The program includes opportunities to connect, chat and meet with other attendees, regardless of whether attending virtually or face to face, and for attendees to ask questions of speakers during interactive Q&As at the end of each session.
Register now and save!
Individual tickets are only $300 for in-person and $170 for online. A 10% discount will be applied for 10 or more tickets purchased from the same organisation (conditions apply). This offer ends on 25 August 2023.
Training courses
The Office of Legal Services Coordination (OLSC) also offers training on the Legal Services Directions. It provides an overview of the directions and how they operate in practice. The topics covered include:
- significant issues reporting and settling significant issues
- engaging counsel
- sharing advice
- tied work
- the Model Litigant Obligation
- an update on the Government Legal Services Panel.
If you think you or your team would benefit from a refresher on the directions, email olsc@ag.gov.au to discuss how we may be able to deliver this training for you.