Hamilton Locke

This just in.   The long-awaited Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced into Parliament today. It is the first stage of reforms to the Privacy Act.   One of the reforms included in the Bill that will have immediate operational and technical impact for APP entities, is the clarification of what it means to take ‘reasonable steps’ to secure personal information through its lifecycle. All regulated entities that collect personal information whether about customers, clients, service recipients (like patients and students), job applicants and employees will be impacted, whether their personal information holdings are limited or vast.   What does this mean for organisations, and what steps should you take now? Sophie Bradshaw, Helios' Privacy Director David Tulacz and Nicole Stephensen from Ground Up Privacy break it down in this article.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gScqQiye

The future is bright.   Hamilton Locke was one of the inaugural signatories of TMA Australia's Voluntary Code for Equitable Insolvency and Restructuring Appointments (EIRA), signed earlier today at TMA Australia’s Annual Conference in Sydney.    This initiative, which promotes the engagement and retention of women in the turnaround and restructuring industry, represents a significant step forward in driving equity and diversity within the restructuring and insolvency sector.   It’s essential that we address the challenges of gender disparity, and we are proud, alongside many of our valued clients and peers, to be part of this collective movement that prioritises inclusion and diversity as fundamental to the future of our profession.    Congratulations to our very own partner and current TMA Australia President Zina Edwards for representing us during the signing, and to Maria O'Brien for driving this initiative. We look forward to seeing the impact it has over the coming months and years.

Winter is behind us, and what better way to celebrate than with our annual 'Winter Thaw' event in Melbourne?   With cocktails, canapés, and a touch of magic, it was the perfect evening to reconnect with our valued clients, colleagues and friends.   From new faces to familiar ones, we had a wonderful evening welcoming in the new season, sharing great conversations and enjoying a bit of wonder from our talented magician.   A big thank you to everyone who joined us! 

Hola! With the International Bar Association 2024 Conference just around the corner, the Hamilton Locke team is excited to be joining legal professionals from around the world in Mexico City. Catch Brit Ibanez, Clementyne Rawlyk and James Delesclefs in Mexico City between 15 - 20 September. If you’re around, reach out – we’d love to meet and exchange ideas. Hope to see you there! #IBAMexico #IBA2024

Are offshore wind farms good or bad for marine environments? The answer is far from simple. In the latest edition of New Energy Expert Insights, Dr. Rachel Przeslawski of RPS sheds light on the nuances, emphasising the importance of ongoing monitoring, adaptive management and the role of government in fostering collaboration and transparency. We delved into both the opportunities for creating artificial reefs and the challenges posed by seabed disturbances and discussed the need for Environmental Baseline Studies in understanding and mitigating the ecological impacts of these projects. Learn more about the intersection of marine ecology and offshore wind development in our full interview below.

Is Your Business Ready for the EU AI Act? The world’s first comprehensive AI regulation, the EU AI Act, is now in force, and its reach extends far beyond Europe. If your business in Australia or New Zealand leverages AI or operates in the EU market, understanding these new regulations is crucial. In our latest article, Sarah Gilkes and Janice Yew along with Erin Mogford from Source explore what the EU AI Act means for Australia and New Zealand and the importance of proactive compliance.

The good news just keeps coming – we have been recognised for the fifth consecutive year as a 5-Star Employers of Choice by Australasian Lawyer! At Hamilton Locke, we believe that our people are our greatest asset, and this award is a testament to the inclusive, supportive, and innovative culture we've worked hard to build. From professional development opportunities to flexible working arrangements, we are committed to empowering our team to thrive both personally and professionally. Our success as a firm is driven by the collective strength of our people, and this award is a testament to the vibrant and collaborative culture we've built together. Thank you to Australasian Lawyer for this recognition. https://lnkd.in/gWbZZXkE

Kicking off spring with a win: Hamilton Locke has been named Employer of Choice at the 2024 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards! This recognition is a testament to our efforts in creating, fostering and maintaining a culture-led firm, and reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where well-being and high performance go hand in hand. We couldn’t have achieved this without our amazing team – so thank you to each and every member of Hamilton Locke for embodying our values and culture, day in and day out. Congratulations to all the other finalists and winners! #AustralianLawAwards https://lnkd.in/gJs5Jq4H

We had an incredible time at the recent Women's Insolvency Network Australia (WINA) luncheon! Proudly sponsored by Hamilton Locke, this event was more than just a networking opportunity—it was a chance to support a cause that truly matters. The luncheon focused on raising funds for the KYUP! Project, an initiative dedicated to combating domestic violence against women and children in Australia. The KYUP! Project has already empowered over 10,000 young individuals across Australia and New Zealand with its evidence-based programs. It was motivating and inspiring to hear from the guest speakers Mel Thomas, CEO of the KYUP! Project and John Yates, QPM, Non-Executive Director of KYUP! and former Deputy Commissioner at New Scotland Yard and MC Sarah McGilvray, program director at NOVA Entertainment. WINA’s mission to promote and support women in the insolvency and restructuring space is something we at Hamilton Locke deeply resonate with. We're thrilled to be part of such an important cause and look forward to contributing to future initiatives. A big thank you to our team, Special Counsel Kassandra Adams, for her contributions on the WINA committee and to Partner Nick Edwards for his leadership as the KYUP! Project’s Chair.

We are excited to announce that our Funds team Erik Setio and Annabelle Parmegiani have co-authored the new Corporate Collective Investment Vehicles guide published by LexisNexis Pacific. The Practical Guidance content covers establishment, licensing, governance/compliance, disclosure, operation and deregistration/wind up. It’s been great working with Michelle Wibisono from LexisNexis to create the CCIV Practical Guidance and take an up close look at the new CCIV regime. It’s been fascinating to see the expansion of fund structures that may be used by investment managers within the Australian funds management landscape. To access the guide, click on the below or get in touch for more information. Access your guide here: https://lnkd.in/eeUKaTYt #LexisNexisAU #practicalguidance