2024 ACC Australia Corporate Lawyer Award Winners

ASHLEY FRY
Director of Employment, Workplace Relations, and Administrative Law, University of Sydney
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Ashley Fry is the Director of Employment, Workplace Relations & Administrative Law at the University of Sydney.

He is responsible for all matters involving employment, workplace relations and administrative law. Ash advises and represents the University on significant and wide-ranging matters, including: staff and student conduct and performance management; change management and transfer of business issues; harassment, bullying and discrimination; resolving workplace disputes, including negotiation with unions; enterprise agreement interpretation, negotiation and compliance; reporting wrongdoing complaints; work, health and safety; GIPA and privacy; and, litigation in Courts and Tribunals such as the Fair Work Commission.

Ash is also a member of the Business Council of Australia’s Workplace Relations Committee.

In the early stages of his professional career, Ash honed his technical competence and legal skills with a Master of Laws (specialising in labour law) from the University of Sydney.

Ash provides client focused, practical and strategic legal advice, as well as strong representation and advocacy when needed.

ROBERT CHEN
Senior Legal Counsel
MONOOVA

I am a fresh in-house lawyer at Monoova by day, muay thai kickboxer by night, and freediver on the weekend. My life motto is "life is all about the stories you can tell", and I'm still collecting stories. I finished high school without a clue what to do with my career, completed a Bachelor of International Studies to travel the world, then became a personal trainer. I then discovered my brain and following a series of unfortunate events, started studying a Juris Doctor. Graduating with Honours, I did my clerkship, graduate program and formative years at Clyde & Co before moving to HWLE in a front-end construction role. Scarred, I took a short stint at LG Electronics before realising I had more to learn in private practice. I found myself in LegalVision's commercial team where I developed an aptitude for technology clientele and rode the crypto bull run, built a crypto practice before landing myself in financial services law out of all places. Now, I am a legal counsel at Monoova and am loving the work and the juncture we find ourselves at. We live in exciting times, on the precipice of myriad overdue regulatory reforms. 

PEPSICO ANZ
LEGAL TEAM

The PepsiCo ANZ Legal Team: Where Innovation Meets Passion

In the dynamic world of snacks and beverages across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, the PepsiCo ANZ Legal Team stands out. Comprising four lawyers and one dedicated paralegal, they’re not just legal experts—they’re integral to the business.

Embedded in the Business: These legal minds aren’t mere gatekeepers; they’re woven into the fabric of PepsiCo’s operations. As valued members of business leadership teams, they shape critical processes with legal precision.

Tech Trailblazers: The PepsiCo ANZ Legal Team doesn’t shy away from change; they drive it. Their innovative spirit has revolutionized workflows, making them indispensable.

Passion Unleashed: Fuelled by love for their work, this team thrives in a fast-paced environment. Whether negotiating deals or safeguarding PepsiCo’s interests, they’re all in.

Next time you enjoy those Red Rock Deli chips or sip that refreshing Pepsi Max, remember the unsung heroes—the PepsiCo ANZ Legal Team. They’re the architects of success.

DANIELLE MERLINO
Legal Counsel
CANCER COUNCIL NSW

Danielle Merlino is an in-house lawyer of close to 10 years standing, and over that period has developed an enormous wealth of experience in the legal and regulatory landscape of the not-for-profit sector. 

The NSW Cancer Council is a significant participant in that sector, and the growth in Danielle’s skills and knowledge of the course of her career has paralleled that of the organisation. In addition to her broad base of expertise in general in-house practice, Danielle has become an acknowledged expert in charitable fundraising and in seeking and implementing scientific research grants. These areas of focus benefit from her deep experience and nuanced analysis of the continually evolving privacy and IP environments in particular. 

Danielle is a strong subscriber to the ‘more than lawyer’ credo, and plays an integral role in NSW Cancer Council’s staff engagement programs, with their holistic focus on employee wellbeing. Danielle is also a prodigious fundraiser for cancer research at a personal level, and has an impressive track record in raising vital funds for cancer research.  

ANNA KUPERMAN
General Counsel & Corporate Affairs
INTEGRIA HEALTHCARE

A commercially astute, proactive and highly effective Senior Executive and General Counsel. Experienced in corporate and commercial law having worked in private practice and in-house leadership roles for well-known FMCG and Healthcare brands, on a local and global scale. With a reputation as an expert in the field of intellectual property, information technology, governance and risk management and as a trusted advisor to senior management, boards and industry bodies. A values driven and collaborative team player who leads with passion and empowerment to build brand equity and deliver business growth. Bringing high energy, a curious mind, and an innate ability to champion positive change.

Chair and lead of a cross functional working group of 13, responsible for the rollout of an inaugural Sustainability program. Setting the vision and implementation of the company wide strategy to pivot the organisation towards a sustainable future and as a lever for business performance. Released the strategy report with recommendations for a continuing program of sustainability initiatives.

SARAH STANDEN
Head of Legal
PROCREATE

I'm a 27-year-old step-mum of three and Head of Legal at  Procreate, a globally successful software company, developer of the top selling iPad app for over six years and winner of three Apple Design Awards.

Without knowing any actual lawyers, I fell into law school straight after school because I had good grades, but was rather bad at maths. Fortunately it worked out and after five years juggling work, family, and study, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Law (first class honours).

I was admitted to practice in 2021 and spent two years in private practice. I soon developed an interest (and spotted a niche) in IP, IT, privacy, and cybersecurity. This led to me working closely with Procreate, and after about a year I was offered the position of inaugural sole in-house counsel, which, following a battle with imposter syndrome, I accepted.

Fast-forward one year and I have been promoted to Head of Legal. It's a varied and challenging role, and one in which I feel I have already learned and achieved a lot.

Meanwhile, I have juggled family commitments, represented Australia in underwater rugby, discovered a passion for photography, and been diagnosed with ADHD and autism.

ACCOLADE WINES
LEGAL TEAM

Accolade Wines are a global premium wine company, producing some of the world’s most-loved brands such as Hardys, Grant Burge Wines, Banrock Station, Petaluma, and St Hallett.

Our operations span the entire spectrum, from wine supply & production to sales, marketing and distribution. Through our relentless innovation, global sustainability, and partners we engage with, we deliver industry leading performance and service to our customers. We have operations in Australia, NZ, UK, Europe, South Africa, USA and Asia.

The legal team is a team of seven with 5 lawyers, 4 in Australia and one in the UK. For our size we pack a punch and deliver well above our weight. We have one of the largest trade mark portfolios in Australia (circa 2,000 registered globally) managed centrally by the team as well as providing support across around of subject areas. We support our commercial, supply chain and operations and corporate functions.

We don't take ourselves too seriously, and our goals are to be agile; compliance and forward looking; high-performing; and trusted business partners. We think we do this quite well but area always looking to improve.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

LEGAL TEAM

We are proud to provide independent and strategic legal advice and related support to the University of Sydney's diverse and world-changing community.

Our team is currently in its third year of a transformation journey to futureproof our team for the modern age of legal - with a vision to be a next generation legal team that delivers strategic impact.

With 91% of clients (anonymously surveyed!) telling us they speak positively about us when talking to others, and the highest employee engagement score in our organisation, we're confident that we're now delivering on that vision.

Come and say hello! We'd love to swap notes.

KATRIN O'SULLIVAN
General Counsel
THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

Katrin O’Sullivan has over twenty years’ experience in the development and humanitarian sectors and is currently the General Counsel for The Fred Hollows Foundation. The Foundation currently operates blindness prevention programs in over 25 countries employing 400 staff and has annual revenue of over $100 million.

Katrin holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Sydney, an LL.M from the University College London and has undertaken further postgraduate studies at Harvard Business School. She has previously worked for the German Foreign Offices, with postings to Berlin and Geneva, and as a diplomat at the UN, with postings to Geneva, New York, Dubai, Afghanistan and Indonesia. At the UN, she established and led the legal department for the Middle East, Africa, Asia and acted as the Director for the office in Indonesia post-tsunami, where she was responsible for coordinating international disaster relief projects.

Katrin was awarded “Not for Profit Lawyer of the Year” in 2023 and 2019 and was named in “The Most Powerful Women in Australia” list in 2015 and is part of the ACNC consultation panel. Katrin is also passionate about mentoring students and is a professional mentor and guest lecturer at the University of Sydney.