Speakers

Simone is Head of Legal and Business Affairs at Princess Pictures. She has worked in the entertainment industry for many years both in front of and behind the camera. She honed her legal skills at a national law firm and then at December Media, where she worked across their entire slate of television series, documentary and giant screen films.

Simone has a great appreciation for story, as well as an understanding of the legal intricacies involved in developing, financing and distributing quality content. During her time at Princess Pictures she has worked on a plethora of live action and animation projects, overseeing complex production and financing arrangements, licensing agreements and investment deals.

Simone served as a board member for Women in Film and Television Victoria for a number of years and has strong ties to the creative community.

After completing degrees in philosophy and law in 1987, Nicholas Cole began working in film and television. Initially as an editor on films such as Strictly Ballroom and Green Card and then as director on the television series Water Rats. In 2002 he returned to law and worked for the Film Finance Corporation. He then joined the Intellectual Property & Technology Group at DLA Piper. In 2009, he produced Last Ride, the debut feature film of Glendyn Ivin. He has executive produced Gold, Transfusion and Bosh & Rockit.

In 2013 Nick left DLA Piper to establish Cole Media & Entertainment Law to be better able to mix his media and entertainment law practice with his producing activities.

As a lawyer, Nick has acted as Production Counsel on many film and television projects including Hacksaw Ridge, The Water Diviner, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, Angel of Mine, Truth, The Tourist and Gold.

He also acted for the financiers of Marco Polo; a high-end television series produced in Malaysia for Netflix. He continues to represent a diverse range of clients including Hopscotch Features, eOne Australia, Deeper Water Films, Saroo Brierley and Collette Dinnigan.

After working on many films & television projects, Nick has a broad range of skills and experience. He provides a unique combination of creativity and legal knowledge.

Jenny Lalor has been working in legal and business affairs in film and television for more years than she cares to admit. Whilst living in London between 1990 and 2000, she worked for the BBC, Carlton Television and Tiger Aspect Productions (including on Billy Elliot and The Animated Mr. Bean).

Returning to Melbourne in late 2000, she has worked on a variety of film and television projects, including Bluey, Jindabyne, Get Ace, RocKwiz, Wilfred, 52 Tuesdays, The Gloaming and Nitram.

She now has her own practice specialising in entertainment law and provides executive producing services on a range of projects, including: The Space Between, Rise of the Eco Warriors, the indigenous animation series Little J & Big Cuz, and the pre-school animation series dirtgirlworld, winner of the 2013 Digital Program: Children and Young People International Emmy.

She was a Television Councillor on the Screen Producers Australia for over five years. Her practice was the winner of the 2013 SPA Services and Facilities Business of the Year Award, and she was named as one of the most influential people in Australian television (The Age and SMH 28 September 2015). She is an IFTA Arbitrator.

Dan Pearce has 30 years’ experience in the media and entertainment sector and has acted for clients including producers of programs and online content, broadcasters, distributors, aggregators, publishers and talent.

Dan is recognised by his peers and is listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia as a leading practitioner in Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Information Technology Law. Dan is also recognised in Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law for Victoria by Doyle's Guide.

Andy Barclay is the Manager of Business and Legal Affairs at Screen Producers Australia. Prior to joining SPA, he practised as an entertainment lawyer, at Cole Media & Entertainment Law, specialising in film and television production.

While at CME Law, Andy worked closely with his clients across all stages of production, from development to completion, and legal delivery of the finished projects.

His production legal credits include Bosch & Rockit (2020), Gold (2021), and The Tourist (2022).