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CV

David Katona –   Curriculum Vitae                        +61 422 224 554   david@katona.com.au

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Profile and values:

Experienced mediator with a broad commercial history in a variety of sectors. Proven record of resolving disputes across cultural and language barriers.

Committed to working with others from all backgrounds, unbiased and with professionalism and integrity.

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Accreditations:

  • AMDRAS Nationally Accredited Mediator

  • Australian Lawyer (to be admitted in due course 2025)

  • Professional Member – Resolution Institute: incorporating Institute for Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA), and Association of Dispute Resolvers (LEADR)

  • Member – Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution

  • Member – Australian Mediation Association

  • Member – Law Institute of Victoria

  • Member – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

  • Registered Victorian Building Practitioner DBL-C.

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Skills:

  • Proven ability to maintain neutrality in mediation while addressing power imbalances

  • Proven ability to lead parties in considering commercially pragmatic outcomes

  • Proven ability to assist parties to rationalise untenable positions

  • Commercially minded and able to uncover objective reality

  • Proven ability to assist parties reality test alternatives to negotiated outcomes

  • Proven ability to de-escalate disputing parties in diverse environments

  • Proven ability to oversee and manage large teams of professionals and volunteers, while managing differences in motivations

  • Proven ability to adapt to quickly shifting circumstances

  • Comfortable in crisis and pressure situations across multiple domains.

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Professional Experience:

Mediator and Conciliator, 2019 to present

  • Conducted over 240 mediations and conciliations under statutory powers, at a high settlement rate including effective settlement drafting

  • Conciliator at Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (Department of Government Services) - Building and construction disputes

  • Mediator at Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria (Department of Government Services) - Community, Incorporated Association, Owners Corporation disputes

  • Former mediator at VCAT - Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - Fast Track Mediation Hearing Panel.

  • Former conciliator at Residential Tenancy Dispute Service (Victorian Government Department of Justice) during the moratorium on evictions under the Covid-19 Omnibus Legislation.

  • Private commercial mediations through external networks under AMDRAS guidelines.

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Peer Supervisor, Resolution Institute, 2024, pro-bono

  • Demonstrating reflective practice model and facilitating reflective practice with a group of ADR practitioners.

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Director, Mediator and Independent Building Consultant, Building Support Pty Ltd, 2020-2023

  • Developing dispute resolution initiatives in construction sector

  • Encouraging alternative dispute resolution and non-litigation outcomes

  • Dealing directly with parties and providing reality testing at early stages of disputes.

 

Legal Intern, Associate to a Commercial Barrister, 2023

  • Participation in high-level negotiation between counsel, client and instructor

  • Participation in high-level strategy relating to commercial claims in excess of $500mil.

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Legal Intern, Amicus Lawyers, 2022

  • Drafting pleadings, client management, negotiation.

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Legal Intern, Simon Heaney Lawyers and Consultants, 2021

  • Contract drafting, client generation, case management.

 

Director and Builder, Katona Building and Design Pty Ltd, 2005-2020

  • Applying a deep understanding of the construction industry

  • Expertly advising in technical matters, contract matters

  • Thorough understanding and application of relevant legislation.

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Copy writer / Technical writer, Freelance, 2014-2016

  • Drafting tailored, persuasive communications to varied audiences.

 

General Manager, One Stone Function and Events Centre (Not-for-profit), 2013-2014

  • Planning and executing events including corporate and weddings, including staff and stock management

  • On occasion standing in for emergency staff vacancies from Head Chef to FOH on short notice.

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General Manager, Wycliffe Conference Centre (Not-for-profit), 2010-2014

  • Manage mostly volunteer team to run eighty-eight bed and multi-room function centre.

  • Taking the business from startup to profitable hand-over with excellent reputation.

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Business Development consultant / Department restructure, Wycliffe Australia (NGO), 2010-2014, 2019

  • Contracted to convert a large under-utilised facility into profitable function centre

  • Architecture of entire project, directly reporting to CEO and Board

  • Responsible for difficult change management and engagement with key stakeholders against strong resistance

  • Dispute resolution at all levels of organisational structure.

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Executive Director, L & L Katona Engineering, 2009-2010

  • Start-up delivering specific equipment to the franchisor of Aussie Farmers Direct

  • Design, manufacture and supply of 2 new products

  • Co-ordinating from engineers to customer roll-out.

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Technical Consultant, Aussie Farmers Direct, 2010

  • Working directly with CEO and GM for development of specific equipment and logistics, including 2 consulting contracts

  • Change management among the 110 franchisees to aid implementation of new processes.

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Franchisee and Franchise Director, Aussie Farmers Direct, 2008-2010

  • Initial roll-out of new territory, including all aspects of the new business with large clientele and long supply chain

  • Managing drivers and support staff with delivery runs 6 nights and 3 days per week

  • Direct availability to over 500 customers, including complaint resolution.

 

Property Manager, Tabor College Victoria, 2007-2008

  • Maintaining campus facilities, communication and accountability to administrative staff and academics.

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Director, David Katona Electronics Maintenance, 1997-2000

  • First entrepreneurial activity; start-up business including project management, billing, customer management, technical execution.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Deakin University – Current

  • Bachelor of Laws – Deakin University – 2024

  • NMAS Mediation Certification – Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria - 2019

  • Certificate III - Construction, Carpentry – Holmesglen – 2014

  • Diploma of Ministry – Tabor College – 2005

  • Certificate IV – Youth Development – Tabor College – 2001

 

Practical Educational Experience:

Competitor, 31st Willem C. Vis Moot Competition, and 21st Vis East Moot in International Arbitration, 2023-2024

  • Extensive specialist knowledge of ICC Rules, CISG, UNIDROIT Principles and UNCITRAL Model Law

  • Oral advocacy under judgment of prominent arbitrators and academics

  • Competing on the international stage against 380 universities.

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Competitor, Administrative Appeals Tribunal Moot, 2023

  • Extensive knowledge of AAT mechanisms

  • Preparation and delivery of oral advocacy in multiple proceedings across multiple Commonwealth statutory frameworks.

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Community Experience:

Volunteer First Aider, St. John Ambulance Victoria, 1999-2000

  • Providing first aid services at diverse public events throughout Victoria

  • Staying composed and effective under circumstances of community panic and danger

  • Protection and management of bystanders in an emergency situation

  • Triage and prioritising multiple issues in pressure situations and assigning resources efficiently

  • Specialised in difficult casualty extraction and transport

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Touring and session musical artist, various locations, 2001-2004, 2014-2024

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