Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

Prior to my arrival at GLAS the whole organisation was using a physical whiteboard to remain updated on where transactions were up to. This was particularly problematic for those working remotely.  

At no additional expense to the company, I created an online ‘whiteboard’ which could be readily updated and easily accessible by all employees. This improved efficiency as the team was able to contemporaneously update where a transaction was up to, including moving dates, which allowed for the company to allocate resources accordingly. This new platform allowed us to centralise all our transaction summaries securely in one place and was instrumental when the whole team was forced to work remotely during the pandemic. Importantly, it reduced the risk of missing critical deadlines and assisted in open lines of communication between the legal team, and the company as a whole. 

As a result of this innovation, our legal team and the company experienced significant ease in nimbly updating transactions and maintaining strong lines of communication across different groups within the company, which improved productivity and efficiency. 
  

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? 

I have recently started my new role at ForHealth, however in my previous role at GLAS, our team was involved in complex loan restructuring transactions within the structured finance and corporate trustee marketplace. We have handled numerous high-profile deals, which included syndicated facility agreements for major financial institutions in the Australian, American, Asia Pacific and UK markets; restructuring and refinancing of distressed deals, ensuring the protection of our client’s interests; escrow arrangements for large acquisitions involving multinational corporations; and security transactions related to facility agreements.  

These transactions typically involve negotiations with partners at top tier law firms and directors of large companies. Our team plays a pivotal role in navigating the intricate web of legal and regulatory requirements while aligning our actions with the business objectives of our organisation. Understandably, given the nature of the transactions, confidentiality is of the utmost importance in our work.

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why? 

I am deeply passionate about supporting refugees and displaced persons, particularly in the context of the ongoing global refugee crisis. This cause resonates with me on both a humanitarian and professional level. I have volunteered for the International Refugee Assistance Project (IARC) and actively assisted Afghan refugees in their efforts to obtain visas to Australia. I witnessed the challenges and hardships these individuals face, often fleeing conflict and persecution, and this has reinforced my commitment to helping those in need.  

From a professional standpoint, the refugee crisis underscores the importance of legal advocacy and support. It highlights the critical role that legal professionals can play in ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to legal avenues for protection and resettlement. This cause aligns with my belief that the legal community has a responsibility to contribute its expertise and resources to address pressing global issues.