The Speakers
This year we have truly inspiring lineup of speakers.
Helen Rice
The Silent Language of Leaders
Helen Rice is the Managing Partner at Rice Speir, a premier New Zealand Dispute Resolution law firm with national reach specialising in local government and insurance litigation.
After a 12 year partnership in a successful litigation firm, Helen established Rice Speir. During the past 6 years, Helen’s firm has enjoyed significant growth. This she attributes to a reputation of providing creative and cost effective solutions both before the courts and in dispute resolution forums. Helen understands the businesses of her clients and leads her team with respect, intelligence, honesty and humour. At the Forum, Helen will look at how your body language shapes who you are and how it can determine your success as a leader.
Matt Farrington
Lawyer Tech
Matt Farrington is a lawyer by training and a technologist by inclination. He works for Juno Legal, an innovative NewLaw Firm. At Juno, he helps lawyers design and implement systems to make legal services more efficient, effective and enjoyable. As a lawyer, his legal practice includes ICT contracting, intellectual property licensing, and data protection and privacy law. Prior to joining Juno, he worked in private practice, the public sector and investment banking.
At the Forum, Matt will be sharing his views on the technologies, systems and tools coming to law firms near you very soon. He believes that lawyer tech will massively leverage the power of lawyers to get more done in less time, more effectively, and perhaps even more enjoyably. Not sure where to start? This session will also consider ways to kickstart your digital transformation.
Dr Lisa Marriott
The Future of Trust
Lisa Marriott is Professor of Taxation and Associate Dean (Research) at Victoria University of Wellington’s Business School. Lisa’s research interests include social justice and inequality, and the behavioural impacts of taxation. Lisa’s research is interdisciplinary covering disciplines including sociology, political science and public policy. Lisa has published widely in academic journals and she is the author of two books: The Politics of Retirement Savings Taxation: A Trans-Tasman Perspective and Sugar, Rum and Tobacco: Taxes and Public Health in New Zealand. Lisa has worked in the private sector in the United Kingdom and in the public sector in New Zealand. For the past 12 years, Lisa has worked in academia.
At the Forum, Lisa will highlight and expand on some of the key themes from her recent publication with Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand called The Future of Trust. This will include: what are the benefits of trust; what are the mega-trends influencing trust; and how does new technology interact with face-to-face engagement to impact on trust. Lisa will also cover some of the key takeaways from this study that are particularly relevant to lawyers, including the resilience of trust in expertise.
Caroline Ferguson
Building an Innovation Culture
Evidence-based ways for your firm to implement change that creates value.
Caroline Ferguson is the Business Transformation and Innovation Director at Simpson Grierson.
Previously a finance lawyer, Caroline transitioned into innovation and technology roles while at global law firm Allen & Overy in London. Caroline is passionate about how law firms can create environments that help their people develop the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape and deliver excellent client service and value. Particular areas of focus include leveraging collaboration technology, legal project management, lean/agile approaches and design thinking.
Caroline has presented at International Legal Technology Association, Legal Geek and Social Media Week events covering various topics including legal tech, the health and well being of lawyers and 21st century workplaces.
Cam Calkoen
Dream Big, Achieve More
Cam Calkoen is a unique and inspirational example of how some simple, lasting, human truths can make a powerful impact on the daily lives of people and how they tackle perceived problems.
A Personal Best is a concept he was first introduced to during his years as a high performance athlete competing at international events with Paralympics New Zealand.
Hanging up his tracksuit and sprint spikes for more formal attire, he went on to apply what he learnt during a decade of intensive training to the world of business where he became a highly effective fund-raiser.
Cam’s prowess as a speaker became evident when he was just 11 years of age. The English teacher had set the brief to deliver a speech beginning with the words, “In a perfect world...” With a speech impediment, Cam was terrified of this opportunity but there was no way out of it so decided to create something worth listening to and bend perceptions, by the end of his delivery Cams teacher and classmates were visibly moved.
Today, aged 35, Cam speaks across the globe, contributing toward a world where everyone is inspired to embrace their opportunity and our physical being is no barrier in succeeding with our dreams and aspirations.
Through representing New Zealand in sport, raising $4 million for community projects and becoming one of New Zealands most booked speakers, Cam has become an Ambassador for Toyota New Zealand as well as the North Harbour Club, an organization of business leaders that provides encouragement and financial assistance to young New Zealanders who dream real big.
Be prepared to be challenged, wowed, wooed, and ultimately inspired to dream big and achieve more.