Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Referees
Timeline
Generic

Alana Ryzner

Gold Coast,Queensland

Summary

A dynamic and accomplished legal professional with extensive experience and proven results in both Government and private legal practice. I am currently a Partner of a boutique law firm, specialising in litigation, dispute resolution, and insolvency. I have a demonstrated track record of delivering exceptional legal services, strategic legal advice tiered to accommodate different risk appetites, and evolving budgets / cost considerations. I am seeking to leverage my existing skill set in complex litigation management, client advocacy, leadership, risk analysis and strategic thinking to transition to an in-house role with a company that is aligned to my personal values and ethics. I am adept at navigating complex legal challenges, competing business priorities, financial / budget restraints, and fluctuating risk appetites in order to provide legal advice and strategic recommendations to clients with excellence and precision.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Partner

Cronin Miller Litigation
01.2023 - Current
  • Providing leadership and mentoring to a team of between 12 and 16 staff, including currently 8 lawyers and 2 paralegals, by guiding their professional development and skill acquisition. This involves the direct supervision of all client matters run by the firm, as well as providing feedback and growth opportunities for each staff member,
  • Growing the firm's client base and revenue through identifying opportunities for new work streams and clients, networking with key stakeholders, attending industry events, nurturing existing client relationships and cross-referral partners and expanding the firm's presence in the market place.
  • Risk management and compliance in the provision of legal advice and client advocacy through ongoing training and upskilling of myself and staff, ensuring a strict adherence to ethical standards, regulations, and legal processes, and pro-actively identifying potential risk for early mitigation
  • Management of the financial aspects of client matters, including budgeting, billing, fee negotiations, and costs recoveries from opposing parties. Identifying cost effective solutions for clients that meet business requirements and drive legal strategy.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients (both in-house counsel and external clients), referral partners, and key stakeholders, serving as the main contact point for complex client matters to ensure high and consistent levels of satisfaction and outcomes.
  • Case management and supervision of all client matters, as a seasoned expert in dispute resolution and litigation across the Federal Courts, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania jurisdictions.
  • Developing and streamlining internal processes for the management of client matters, targeted business development activities, and relationship management.
  • Responsible for identifying, strategising and advising on pre-litigation risks for a business, as well as the development of tiered solutions dependent on the risk appetite and cost considerations of a client or business.

Senior Associate

Cronin Miller Litigation
07.2020 - 12.2022
  • Developing effective litigation strategies for clients that are tailored to their business / personal requirements, by analysing the legal issues, assessing risks, understanding risk appetite and costs considerations, and determining the strategic options to achieve the desired outcomes.
  • Overseeing and managing the day-to-day management of client matters, including providing advice regarding pre-litigation risks, prospects of success, and potential causes of action, drafting pleadings and affidavits, discovery, lay and expert witness evidence, and Court appearances.
  • Advocating for clients and negotiating commercial solutions in settlement conferences, mediations, and through Court proceedings, including trials.
  • Mentoring and supervision of junior lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and law students/research clerks through upskilling, training needs analysis, development and implementation, and guiding client relationships and financial management of a matter.
  • Developing and implementing litigation and mediation strategies through assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a client's matter, identifying legal and factual issues, advising on prospects, and developing tiered advice for different levels of acceptable risk.

Associate

MinterEllison
04.2015 - 06.2020
  • Preparation of persuasive pre-litigation correspondence to an opposing party to seek early commercial resolution of disputes, as well as drafting pleadings, affidavits, briefs to Counsel and Experts, and trial preparation documents if the matter proceeded to Court proceedings.
  • Representing and advocating for clients at settlement conferences, mediations and trial/hearings, both with and without externally briefed Counsel.
  • Running complex client matters and providing advice to clients and in-house counsel regarding litigious matters or potentially litigious matters, including briefing Boards and executive directors.
  • Conducting comprehensive legal research and analysis of Federal and State legislation, case law, regulatory decisions / non-binding publications in order to advise regarding complex legal issues, persuasive legal argument, and litigation strategies.
  • Drafting legal memorandums, case summarises, and research notes to support litigation strategies and client advice, and then progressing to drafting client advices and strategy recommendations.

Manager /Senior Advisor (Operations) /Senior Case Manager

Queensland Corrective Services
02.2005 - 02.2015
  • Strategic leadership to the Queensland Probation and Parole Department, ensuring alignment of Government priorities, legislative and procedural mandates, and best practice theoretical models for supervising and managing offenders.
  • Managing the Probation and Parole offices at Burleigh, Southport, Beenleigh, and Townsville through leading teams of between six to 15 employees, and up to 850 offenders being supervised on community based orders.
  • Responsible for managing budgets, financial resources, and staff ratios, through approving and monitoring expenditure against allocated funds, making strategic decisions to manage reputational and community risk with fiscal sustainability.
  • Timely and accurate reporting to the Commissioner and Minister through Ministerial briefs, presentations to executive management, and high level strategic operational advice.
  • Leading change management initiatives and facilitating departmental change during changes of Government, or Government priorities.
  • Internal and external stakeholder engagement and management through collaboration with other Government agencies, community groups, industry partners, and the general public to promote transparency, accountability, and responsive action.

Education

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice -

College of Law
Brisbane
06.2015

Bachelor of Law -

Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD
12.2014

Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology -

Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD
12.2005

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD
12.2004

Skills

  • Strong Legal Expertise / Analysis / Advice / Compliance
  • Critical and Strategic Thinking
  • Risk Identification and Management
  • Team Leadership and Collaboration
  • Civil Litigation / Trials / Hearings
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution / Mediation
  • Business Acumen / Innovation / Strategy
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Management
  • Commercial Negotiations
  • Internal and external client management
  • Communication Skills

Certification

  • Admitted to the High Court of Australia
  • Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland
  • Current practicing certificate (Queensland)

Referees

Available on request

Timeline

Partner

Cronin Miller Litigation
01.2023 - Current

Senior Associate

Cronin Miller Litigation
07.2020 - 12.2022

Associate

MinterEllison
04.2015 - 06.2020

Manager /Senior Advisor (Operations) /Senior Case Manager

Queensland Corrective Services
02.2005 - 02.2015

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice -

College of Law

Bachelor of Law -

Griffith University

Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology -

Griffith University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Griffith University

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Alana Ryzner