WA | NEXT LEVEL – Navigating What’s Next: The Trends Reshaping Legal Practice
Members and eligible non-members only
Perth, Western Australia
29 October 2026
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm AWST
The College of Law, 263 Adelaide Terrace,
Perth, Western Australia
3 hrs
Melissa Gibbs
Kim Padmore
Garth Brown
Terri Mottershead
Tony Dodd
| Topic | Leadership, Operational Management, Technology & Knowledge | |
| Type | Seminar | |
| CPD | 2 - Practice Management and Business Skills | |
| Pricing | Free |
| Full Member | Free |
| Online Member | Free |
| Affiliate | Free |
| Associate Member | Free |
Current Supporting Partners - Free (Contact us for assistance)
Non-members must be eligible for alpma membership to attend.
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Proudly Supported By
Presented by
Melissa Gibbs, Clio
Kim Padmore, people2people
Garth Brown, Actionstep
Terri Mottershead, ALPMA
Tony Dodd, legalsuper
Navigating What's Next: The Trends Reshaping Legal Practice
Legal practice is changing fast — AI, evolving client expectations, talent pressures, and tighter compliance demands are reshaping how firms operate and compete. This event, focuses on giving practice leaders a practical, interactive session built around the issues that matter most right now.
Join us for a moderated panel discussion — followed by a facilitated roundtable round where attendees dig deeper into the topic that matters most to them. It's a format designed for real conversation, not just presentation: practical takeaways, direct access to industry experts, and a room full of peers navigating the same challenges.
Time | Session
12:30 | Arrival & networking lunch
12:45 | Welcome
12:50 | Panel 1 — AI and the tech-enabled firm
1:40 | Panel 2 — Running the modern firm
2:25 | Break and move to roundtables
2:30 | Facilitated Discussion [AI, automation & technology; Clients, value & winning work; People, talent & culture; Strategy, growth & resilience; Compliance, data & operations]
3:15 | Plenary wrap — one takeaway per table
3:25 | Close and thanks
By registering for this event attendees consent to share their contact details with supporting partners.
Presented by
Melissa Gibbs
Senior Account Executive at Clio
Melissa Gibbs is a Senior Account Executive at Clio, the world’s leading cloud-based legal practice management platform. She holds a Juris Doctor from the Australian National University and brings over six years’ dedicated experience in legal technology, including hands-on work within law firms themselves. This dual perspective lets her bridge legal practice and software innovation with real credibility. Based in Sydney, Melissa helps firms navigate digital transformation — from cloud adoption to the emerging role of AI in legal workflows — translating complex technology trends into practical, adoptable solutions. She’s recognised for her hands-on approach to client onboarding and her sharp read on how legal practice is being reshaped by technology.
Kim Padmore
Managing Director, WA at people2people
Kim Padmore is a senior recruitment leader and Managing Director with more than 15 years’ experience across the Australian and international recruitment markets, with a particular focus on the legal profession.
Based in Perth, Kim has built her career working closely with lawyers, Partners, practice leaders and professional services organisations, giving her a unique perspective on the changing expectations of legal professionals and the challenges facing law firms in attracting, retaining and developing talent.
As a specialist in legal recruitment and people strategy, Kim is regularly immersed in conversations about what is driving career decisions, how workplace expectations are evolving and what firms need to do differently to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market. A passionate advocate for progressive approaches to leadership, flexibility, culture and talent, Kim brings a practical, market-informed perspective to the conversation about what’s next for the legal profession.
Garth Brown
Strategic Relationships Executive at Actionstep
Garth Brown is a Strategic Relationships Executive at Actionstep. With over 25 years of experience as a Practice Management Specialist, Garth has assisted numerous law firms in choosing practical solutions that drive real results. Garth is dedicated to helping his clients and enjoys making a positive impact on his clients by utilising technology to increasing efficiency and engaging staff.
Terri Mottershead
Head of AI at ALPMA
Terri Mottershead leads ALPMA’s external AI function and its Institute for Legal AI, an evidence-led, independent voice for specialists embracing AI responsibly and reshaping legal practice. She also hosts Legally Digital, a new podcast launching this month in collaboration with ALPMA, featuring candid conversations with global thought leaders on AI, transformation and the future of legal practice.
As Principal of Mottershead Consulting, Terri advises law firms and legal organisations on the strategy, capability building and governance needed to adopt AI and emerging technologies responsibly — no hype, no jargon, just practical advice grounded in legal practice.
She previously led the global Digital Enablement team at Ashurst, and earlier held senior leadership roles with DLA Piper (US), Lex Mundi and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, alongside founding the Centre for Legal Innovation at The College of Law.
Tony Dodd
Partnership Manager at legalsuper
Tony joined legalsuper in May 2018 and is based in the Brisbane office. He is passionate about helping members navigate the complexities of superannuation and demonstrating how small, well‑considered changes can have a big impact on retirement outcomes.
With more than 30 years of experience in financial services , Tony brings extensive experience and insight to his role. He specialises in helping members understand the value of insurance within super, creating tailored contribution strategies, and optimising retirement outcomes, including age pension entitlements and income stream options. Prior to joining legalsuper, he was the Queensland State Manager for a national financial planning business.
Outside of work, Tony enjoys supporting his family in their sporting pursuits and can often be found in goal on the hockey field, where he takes satisfaction in saving a shot or two.
