Who Are We?

Alison Maelzer  - Special Counsel

Alison is a Special Counsel at Hesketh Henry.  Alison was admitted to the Bar in 2001 and since that time has practised exclusively in the employment jurisdiction. She advises in all aspects of employment law (both contentious and non-contentious) with a particular interest in health and safety, disciplinary and performance issues.

Terri Mottershead | Director | Centre for Legal Innovation, College of Law

As the Director for the Centre of Legal Innovation (Australia, New Zealand and Asia) at the College of Law, Terri works internationally with leaders of law firms, legal associations, law schools, and lawyers, supporting their transition to, and building a pipeline of exceptional talent for, new law. She has been a thought leader and innovator in legal strategic talent management and development for more than 20 years. 
Prior to joining the Centre, Terri was a practising lawyer and subsequently led the in-house talent management departments for firms and associations including Lex Mundi, IPBA and DLA Piper LLP (US). She has also led or taught on practical legal education initiatives in law schools in Asia, Australia and the US. 
Terri is a frequent speaker at legal industry events and contributes regularly to legal industry publications on the future of legal profession, practical legal education and law firm talent management. She acted as the general editor/contributing author for The Art and Science of Strategic Talent Management in Law Firms (West, 2010) and for Innovating Talent Management in Law Firms (NALP, 2016). 
Terri holds a LLB (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, both from QUT; an LLM from the University of Queensland; and an MBA (Distinction) from the University of Wales. She is admitted to practice in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the High Court of Australia, England & Wales and Hong Kong.

Courtney Lauren, Senior Manager | Business Banking - Macquarie Bank

Courtney Lauren is the Head of Legal and Financial Services for the Macquarie Business Banking team in Western Australia.  Over the past 10 years, Courtney has worked with a variety of professional service firms, with a particular focus on the accounting, financial planning and legal industries. Courtney works on providing banking solutions that help these firms achieve their personal and business goals. 

Chris Lyons, Director Taxation Services - Pitcher Partners

Chris is Director in the Tax Division at Pitcher Partners Perth. He has over 16 years of business and consulting experience with businesses covering a wide range of industries including legal. 

Aaron McDonald, Director - Pragma Legal

In 2017, Aaron graduated with a Masters of Laws from the University of Western Australia.  Aaron sits on the Courts and Access to Justice Committees of the Law Society of Western Australia. He also sits on the Law Access Limited Stakeholder Advisory Committee. 

Aaron is committed to promoting access to justice in the community, including through providing fixed fee mediation services. Aaron’s innovative provision of fixed fee legal services was commended by the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon Wayne Stewart Martin, who noted that fixed legal fees represent an important step forward for alternative dispute resolution services in WA.

Hosted by WA Committee Members 

Katherine Thomas, Katherine Thomas Consulting

There has never been a more exciting time to provide professional services, as the market changes apace. The future belongs to those who adapt, collaborate and embrace change. Katherine Thomas helps professionals grow and thrive in this rapidly changing environment. 

Having established and grown a profitable, innovative freelance lawyer business, as well as working for 15 years in senior business development roles, Katherine understands professional services from the provider’s and buyer’s perspective. Her approach combines a strategic viewpoint with a focus on action, to deliver measurable results. 

Sue-Ella Prodonovich, Prodonovich Advisory

Sue-Ella has more than 20 years senior level experience in winning and growing business in the complex business-to-business services and professional services sector. 

During this time her roles have included Director of Marketing with Arthur Andersen, Director of Business Development & Marketing with Baker & McKenzie, Senior Consultant with Rogen SI, Owner of PTB Consulting and Partner, Business Development Services, with Australia’s newest mid-market accounting and advisory firm - Crowe Horwath.