ALPMA HR Day 2022 – Refocus, Re-engage & Retain

Leonie Green

Director at Corvus Group

Leonie worked in private practise as an employment and industrial relations lawyer before moving into human resources, and in particular organisational design and culture change. Leonie launched her consulting practice, Conscious Workplace, in 2014, and co-founded a multi-disciplinary practice, Corvus Group Australia, in 2017.

Leonie has a Masters in Workplace and Employment Law from Monash University, and is an Accredited Mediator, Organisational/Leadership Coach, and an active member within the Association of Workplace Investigators’ Australian chapter.

Leonie’s work has long been about improving the workplace experience for everyone (employer and employee alike) and facilitating the conversations and changes required to move forward with clarity and greater purpose. Leonie’s work varies from mediation, to coaching, workplace investigations, facilitated workshops and consulting on workplace culture and change.

Simon Pole

Global Director, Design at Unispace

Simon Pole is Chief Product Officer at Unispace, where he leads the development of integrated workplace strategy, design and delivery models across global markets. With a background in interior architecture and three decades of experience, he specialises in advising leading law firms on how their workplaces can better support evolving legal practice. Simon has worked extensively with international and regional legal firms, helping them transition from traditional, partner-led office models to more collaborative, flexible environments that improve knowledge sharing, client service and team performance. His work combines data-led workplace insights with deep sector understanding, addressing the changing nature of legal work, shifting generational expectations, and the impact of technology and AI on the profession. He is a regular speaker and contributor on the future of legal workplaces, known for translating complex behavioural, spatial and operational challenges into clear, actionable strategies. At Unispace, he works at the intersection of strategy, design and construction to deliver high-performing environments that align with each firm’s culture, client expectations and commercial priorities.

Sharon Henderson

Legal Recruitment Specialist at Legal People

Sharon is one of the leading, most respected specialist legal recruiters in Australia having successfully recruited Lawyers, Management & HR staff to the legal industry for over 20 years. She is also the Director & Owner of Legal People.

Emma Elliott

Chief Executive Officer at ALPMA

Emma Elliott is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA), where she leads the strategic direction and operations of the organisation across Australia and New Zealand. With a strong focus on member value, industry engagement, and professional development, Emma works closely with legal practices, partners, and stakeholders to support excellence in legal practice management.

Emma brings extensive experience in leadership, stakeholder engagement, and association management. She is passionate about fostering collaboration across the legal community and ensuring ALPMA continues to deliver relevant, practical insights and opportunities for its members. Under her leadership, ALPMA continues to strengthen its role as a trusted network for legal practice professionals, driving innovation and best practice across the sector.

Ray D’Cruz

CEO & Co-founder at Performance Leader

I am the CEO of Performance Leader, a consulting and software business that helps professional services firms perform to harness the creativity and intelligence of their partners and employees. We help firms solve complex problems in areas such performance, collaboration and feedback through a flexible approach and deep sector knowledge. Specifically, our consulting services and software help professional services firms to:

• Support partners and employees to collaborate on plans and objectives


• Build a vibrant, relationship-centred feedback culture


• Make innovation and collaboration a routine activity


• Design partner compensation models that are strategically and culturally aligned with the firm

Working in leading professional services firms as both a lawyer and HR leader means I understand the nuances of professional services and partnership structures. I take the view that change can happen over time, and that constant evolution is usually more successful and sustainable than revolutions. Performance Leader has offices in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States and we work with leading firms in more than 30 countries.

Liz Aitken

Partner, National Head of Workplace Relations & Safety at SLF Lawyers

Liz is an award-winning workplace relations lawyer bringing knowledge, experience and passion to her work.

With a track record of delivering strong client-focused results, Liz’s drive and dynamism make her sought-after as an HR business partner and legal advisor. Her talent is turning workforce challenges into opportunities for positive cultural change, increased productivity and advancement of business goals.

Liz was previously a partner at a national mid-tier law firm. She has held a range of executive and board positions for professional associations, including Victorian Women Lawyers and the Law Institute of Victoria’s Workplace Relations Section.

In 2015, Liz was named Young Gun of the Year at the Australian Women in Law Awards.

In 2018, she was recognised by the Australian Financial Review as the youngest partner appointed among participating Australian law firms.

Liz regularly speaks at professional conferences and events – headlining alongside business, political and government leaders like Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Lee Lin Chin and Commissioner Kate Jenkins – as well as featuring in major news publications.