WA Event: Unlocking Potential - Empowering In-House Counsel to Lead & Influence

Irene Kuo – WA Chapter President, ACC / Director, Prime Contract Management – Fluor Australia Pty Ltd 

Irene Kuo is a highly strategic and commercially focused leader with over 19 years of experience in contract management, legal strategy, and commercial governance across major infrastructure, resources, and energy sectors. Known for her ability to navigate complexity, drive high-value negotiations, and mitigate risk, she has played a key role in delivering large-scale projects that shape industries and economies.

As Director of Prime Contract Management at Fluor Australia Pty Ltd, Irene leads the management of multi-million-dollar contracts, ensuring strategic alignment, risk resilience, and commercial success in high-stakes projects. With deep expertise in procurement strategy, contract governance, and stakeholder engagement, she is instrumental in delivering critical infrastructure and resources projects.

Beyond her corporate roles, Irene is President of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) WA Division and a former National Non-Executive Director of ACC Australia. In these leadership positions, she has successfully secured strategic sponsorships, strengthened financial sustainability, and expanded stakeholder engagement, making a lasting impact on the in-house legal community. She is a passionate advocate for legal innovation, diversity, and inclusion, and was recognised as the Asian Australian Lawyers Association’s Diversity Leader in 2024.

Irene is committed to advancing corporate governance, driving commercial excellence, and fostering the next generation of leaders in law, contracts, and business. Her ability to blend strategic insight with commercial pragmatism makes her a sought-after leader in complex negotiations, risk management, and transformational governance.




Drew Broadfoot – Senior Legal Counsel, Macmahon

Drew is a legal practitioner with four years of in-house experience, and thirteen further years of experience in private practice, delivering large-scale projects in the mining and construction industries throughout his career. Project delivery activities while in-house have included head contract administration, procurement, subcontract administration, staff training, and key legal advice. He has a proven track record of successful project delivery, maintaining commercial returns, while working closely with diversified project teams who value his input and advice.

Drew is the Chairperson of Street Law Centre WA Inc, which provides a free outreach legal service for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Western Australia.




Stephenie Vahala, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety

Stephenie is a highly experienced legal professional and strategic advisor with over 20 years of post-admission experience in both private practice and in-house government roles. As Assistant General Counsel at DEMIRS, Stephenie provides high-level legal counsel to ministers, senior executives, and government agencies on mining and resources law, regulatory compliance, and legislative reform. Specialising in public and administrative law, statutory interpretation, and governance, Stephenie ensures legal frameworks support government priorities while mitigating risk. Passionate about leadership and professional development, Stephenie also serves as the Vice President of the Association of Corporate Counsel (WA) and is currently the Chair of the school advisory counsel. 




Emma Chinnery - Partner in Corporate/Commercial, Jackson McDonald

Emma is a commercial lawyer who works closely with Aboriginal corporations and trusts, charities, not-for-profits and government bodies. She assists her clients with their commercial needs at all stages, including their design and establishment, implementation and operations, and restructure.

She regularly advises clients on the establishment of or changes to corporate structures, constitutional reviews, directors’ duties and corporate governance, development of policies, contractual negotiations, and the interpretation of, and compliance with, agreements and statutory obligations.

Emma has held board positions on a number of not-for-profit organisations, providing an important insight into the dynamics of board decision-making processes and engagement with stakeholders.

Emma is also the chair of Jackson McDonald’s Reconciliation Working Group, having been instrumental in developing the firm’s inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan in 2017 and the implementation of initiatives that support our Reconciliation priorities. She plays a key role in leading our engagement with the firm’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners and stakeholders, and in building the cultural capability of Jackson McDonald’s people.


Presenter:

Belinda Wong, Partner | Projects, Infrastructure + Construction, Jackson McDonald

Belinda Wong is a Partner practising in the areas of construction and major projects disputes. She has had many years' experience acting for multinational and national entities (including major mining, resources, engineering, construction and property development companies) in a range of disputes, including complex international and local arbitrations, large-scale litigation, adjudications under Security of Payment legislation (in WA and NT) and mediations. In regard to litigation, she has acted in both federal and state jurisdictions including the Supreme Court of WA, the Court of Appeal, the Federal Court and the High Court. She has also provided front-end contract and risk advice to multinational clients.

Belinda is widely regarded and recognised for her expertise and dedication to delivering results, and was named the Women Lawyers of Western Australia’s 2023 Woman Lawyer of the Year.