2025 ALPMA Summit AML Stream

Presented by: Adam Simms, Director, Acclivity

Australia's AML/CTF regime is on the cusp of a seismic shift, with law firms set to fall squarely within its regulatory reach. This session unpacks what’s coming and what it means.

We’ll explore the emerging obligations, the operational and ethical dilemmas they raise, and how firms can respond with integrity and foresight. From governance frameworks and risk assessments to client onboarding, suspicious matter reporting, and the spectre of tipping off, the maze is complex but navigable. We’ll also examine how legal practices can embrace technology without compromising privilege, and how compliance can be embedded without paralysing the business of law. Whether you're in leadership, risk, or practice management, this session offers practical guidance to prepare your firm now and position it as a credible, compliant, and trustworthy advisor in a new regulatory era.

Ignorance will not be a defence; preparation is your best protection.

Presented by: Kath Bowler, General Manager, and Keddie Waller, AML/CTF Project Manager, Holley Nethercote

As of March 2026, sweeping reforms will bring thousands of lawyers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime for the first time.

Common services like setting up legal arrangements including trusts, assisting in the sale, transfer or purchase of a business, or drafting or reviewing documents such as company constitutions or trust deeds are amongst a range of new services that will soon be regulated under the AML/CTF reforms.

If your firm provides these services, this session is critical for you to attend.

This practical, hands-on session will assist you to develop and implement an AML/CTF program and the timeline you should work towards to be ready to operate under the amended regime in July 2026.

Join this session to understand the practical steps your business must take to prepare, ensure compliance, and avoid significant penalties.

Presented by:
Mark Greenslade, Director, Head Of Client Success And Training, Verlata Consulting
Duncan Clark, Verlata Consulting, Spinika
Rob Lynch, CRO, Spinika
Jamie Lynch, Head of AML, Gilbert + Tobin

Taking lessons from a series of real-life examples, the Panellists will share their experiences as compliance managers, practice managers, consultants, and technology providers in the NZ market where AML has been impacting legal practice since 2018, providing valuable insights for law firm compliance teams.

Key issues that law firms need to be aware of when implementing AML technology are highlighted including the balancing of compliance within the realities of day-to-day practice. How do you make sure you meet your AML obligations without negatively impacting on the experiences of clients and staff alike? The Panellists will outline the importance of selecting technology solutions that are scalable and adaptable to the firm's specific needs, recognising that every firm needs to identify its unique risk factors to be able to effectively meet obligations. The importance of a phased implementation approach, bringing your people along for the journey and testing in refining the technology are underscored.

Panel facilitated by Milan Cooper, First AML
Panelists include:
Adam Simms, Director, Acclivity
Keddie Waller, Head of AML/CTF Strategy, Holley Nethercote
Jamie Lynch, Head of AML, Gilbert + Tobin
Rob Lynch, Spinika
Mark Greenslade, Verlata

Join the Speakers from today and have all of your questions answered for any component of the upcoming AML/CTF changes for your firm. The Panel will provide Q&A for common questions or challenges firms may be facing to implement changes needed prior to the deadline including, risk management and compliance, business processes, workflows, training requirements, reporting, and everything in between!