WIN In-house Counsel Week Australia 2026

Skills for today, Insight for tomorrow

Emerging technologies, shifting regulations, global uncertainty and rising ethical expectations continue to redefine the role of in-house counsel. The need for in-house legal departments to adapt and upskill has never been greater.

Across the week, you can expect a mix of panel conversations, guest speakers and interactive webinars offering practical guidance, meaningful professional development and opportunities to connect with peers.

Our keynote session AI and Mental Health: Finding the Balance, presented by Heizy Serrels, Executive General Manager at Centre for Corporate Health, will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and wellbeing.

The full program is listed below.

CPD points: NSW/QLD/VIC practitioners can receive up to 1 CPD point by attending the webinar live or watching the recording. WA practitioners can receive up to 1 CPD point for viewing a webinar live for the full hour.

Monday, 16 February 2025

10:00 - 11:15 AWST
12:00 - 13:15 AEST
13:00 - 14:15 AEDT

Employment & Privacy in the Digital Workplace: Risks, Reforms, and Practical Strategies

As digital tools become central to the modern workplace, organisations face increasing pressure to balance productivity, compliance, and trust. Workplace monitoring, employee data handling, and evolving privacy laws create complex legal and reputational risks for in-house teams. This session will provide in-house counsel with a practical overview of how employment and privacy obligations intersect in the digital workplace, and what this means for policies, investigations, and governance. The discussion will cover lawful workplace monitoring, including surveillance and employment law considerations, remote work and BYOD risks, policy and contract essentials, and the use of digital evidence in investigations.

The session will also examine proposed Privacy Act reforms and their impact on employee data, including changes to the employee records exemption, cross-border data handling, and breach notification obligations. Drawing these issues together, the presenters will focus on practical strategies to manage overlapping employment and privacy risks, supported by real-world examples and an interactive Q&A. The session will conclude with key takeaways and a practical checklist to support in-house counsel in managing risk in an evolving regulatory environment.

1 CPD point in Substantive Law.

 

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

09:00 - 10:00 AWST
11:00 - 12:00 AEST
12:00 - 13:00 AEDT

Please note: This session will be delivered live only and will not be recorded.

Keynote: AI and Mental Health – Finding the balance

Presented by Heizy Serrels , Executive General Manager at Centre for Corporate Health, will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and wellbeing. Attendees will gain insight into how AI tools influence cognitive processes, including critical thinking and decision-making, and examine the psychological impacts of increased AI use. This session will also provide practical, evidence-informed strategies to support mentally healthy, mindful, and effective engagement with AI in both personal and professional contexts.

1 CPD point in Practice Management and Business Skills.

 

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

12:00 –13:00 AWST
14:00 –15:00 AEST
15:00 –16:00 AEDT

Ethics: Keeping It confidential and privileged - Dispute resolution with integrity

Navigate ethical and legal complexities in dispute resolution with expert guidance. We’ll walk-through real-world scenarios tailored to in house counsel, covering:

• The foundations and practical application of Legal Professional Privilege (LPP), including advice vs litigation privilege.
• Key elements; confidentiality, dominant purpose, and professional relationships.
• Joint interests and privilege misuse: when LPP may not apply.
• Privilege considerations in regulatory investigations.
• Strategies for addressing and avoiding privilege waiver.

1 CPD point in Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

 

Thursday, 19 February 2026

10:00 –11:00 AWST
12:00 –13:00 AEST
13:00 –14:00 AEDT

Employment law challenges in 2026 – What in house teams need to know

Stay ahead of the curve with a comprehensive update on employment law as we move into 2026. We’ll identify key developments and strategic takeaways, including:

• Recent case law on flexible working and its practical takeaways.
• Trends and challenges emerging from multi-employer union bargaining.
• “Same job, same pay” orders: what they mean for your teams.
• Wage theft and underpayment claims - insights from landmark cases.
• Legislative updates, from payday super reforms and Baby Priya Act to further flagged changes in redundancy, non-compete, non-poach, and non-solicitation laws.

1 CPD point in Substantive Law.