Practical Law Practice Areas

Laura Hawes

Laura Hawes was admitted to legal practice in 2007. Prior to joining Practical Law Australia, Laura practised at leading law firms Clayton Utz, DLA Piper and DibbsBarker, and as in-house counsel for a major bank. Laura has acted in a broad range of matters including complex commercial and Corporations Law proceedings, insolvency administrations, property and body corporate disputes, breach of contract claims, shareholder class actions and employment disputes. Laura has served on the Turnaround Management Association NextGen (Qld) Committee, is a current member of the Australian Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) and has completed the ARITA Advanced Certification course.  

Jacqui Ogden

Jacqui Ogden joined Practical Law after more than 13 years’ experience as a commercial dispute resolution lawyer at Gadens Lawyers (Brisbane).    During her time in practice, Jacqui specialised in complex commercial litigation, insolvency and banking and finance litigation advising on a broad  range of matters including debt recovery proceedings (both secured and unsecured), professional negligence claims (against auditors and valuers), Corporations Law proceedings (including claims against directors and officers for breach of duties), breach of contact claims as well as insolvency administrations and complex managed funds litigation. During her time in practice, Jacqui was twice recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a rising star in insolvency and restructuring. Jacqui is currently a committee member of the Insolvency & Restructuring Committee (Qld), Law Council of Australia Business Law Section. 

Kimberley Arden

Kimberley Arden was admitted to legal practice in 2010. Prior to joining Practical Law, Kimberley was a Partner of a leading national law firm, Gadens, in the Litigation and Corporate Recovery Services group. Kimberley regularly advised large corporates, public sector clients and insolvency practitioners across a broad range of matters including Corporations Law proceedings, contractual disputes, debt recovery proceedings and regulatory actions. As a specialist in banking and finance litigation and dispute resolution, Kimberley routinely advised leading banks and financial institutions regarding recovery options (including alternative dispute resolution), enforcement and restructuring.  During her time in practice, Kimberley was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a recommended lawyer and a rising star in insolvency and restructuring.   

Leigh Hogarty

Leigh Hogarty was admitted to legal practice in 2007 and has over 12 years’ experience practising in both dispute resolution and commercial law. Prior to joining Practical Law Australia, she  held the position of Principal and Head of Dispute Resolution at Fletcher Clarendon in Victoria. Leigh also practised at DLA Piper in various divisions and held roles with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Environment Defenders’ Office. Leigh acted in a broad range of matters including (in her commercial advisory capacity) in relation to share and asset sale transactions, lease negotiations, building contract negotiations and other business transactions and (in her capacity as a litigator) in relation to contractual disputes, director and shareholder disputes, and contentious matters involving property settlements, debt recovery, and Australian Consumer Law.