About Kate
Kate is a senior Government, Procurement and Projects lawyer with an outstanding track record of achievement advising Australian Government agencies and the private sector throughout her 20-year career.
She began private practice in commercial law and dispute resolution and moved to Government in 2008, specialising in procurement and contracting, governance and accountability, compliance and operational risk management. Kate takes a pragmatic approach to navigating highly complex, rapidly changing regulatory environments to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Kate is a Defence specialist having previously held a number of senior executive positions in Defence Legal including Deputy General Counsel, a member of the Defence Legal Executive and various Project Boards, and as Special Counsel. Over 13 years, Kate was Special Counsel to four critical Defence Groups, advising senior leaders on a range of strategic, legal, commercial and probity matters.
Specialisations
Experience
Joint Logistics Command
Advising on the formation, scope and preparation of contracts and tender documentation in the supply chain, logistics network including warehousing, maintenance, distribution and fuel supplies; on procurement reform and probity; domestic and international contract management; multi-jurisdictional issues; transition; multi-party dispute resolutions; and providing an independent, quality assurance support for significant, high risk projects.
Estate & Infrastructure
Advising on contractual matters across the Defence estate including critical infrastructure; contractor performance and integrated service delivery requirements; compliance reviews; managing through regulatory reforms; Defence Housing; unexploded ordnance and wartime remnants; broad regulatory arrangements, management and remediation; land access agreements.
Strategic Policy Division (Export Controls)
Advising on matters of export control including the status of goods, technologies and weapons in a security context; regulatory reforms and the development of core policies and procedures; domestic and international compliance requirements, permits, licenses and authorisations; interagency collaborations and coordination activities on draft legislation; international legislation, regulations and policies; representation in international engagements.
Defence Science and Technology
Advising on a range of legal and probity requirements; drafting and negotiating various agreements including co-operative, collaborative and commercialisation arrangements; infringement matters and litigation involving intellectual property rights; commercialisation opportunities and risks; contingent liabilities and indemnities.