CV

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

Profile:

Experienced ADR practitioner with a proven record of resolving disputes across cultural and language barriers, over 280 mediations conducted.

Experienced director and business owner with a wide background in varying sectors, from idea to policy composition, design to implementation, and handover.

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

Committed to the power and efficiency of ADR mechanisms and their widespread implementation.

Accreditations:

Australian Lawyer and Officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria
AMDRAS Nationally Accredited Mediator
Registered Victorian Building Practitioner DBL-C
Professional Member – Resolution Institute: incorporating Institute for Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA), and Association of Dispute Resolvers (LEADR)
Member – Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution.

Professional Experience:

Conciliator, Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) 2020, 2024 to present

Statutory conciliation of building disputes between owners and builders under
Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic)
Mediating between self-represented litigants, instructors, and counsels, with no limit on quantum.

Mediator, Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria (DSCV) 2024 to present

Declared Mediator status under s 21K Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958 (Vic)
Mediating general disputes including adverse possession, internal corporate conflicts, community disputes
Regular adjustment of the mediation process to service vulnerable clientele.

Mediator, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) 2022 to 2024

Mediating general civil claims under $10,000, under Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic), with Fast-Track facilitated negotiation format, facilitated by DSCV
Continuous innovation of the process to meet the efficiency demands of the high case load and short time frames.

Conciliator, Residential Tenancy Dispute Service (RTDS) 2020-2021

Statutory conciliation of residential tenancy disputes arising during the pandemic with powers granted under COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (Vic)
Collaboration with stakeholders to develop effective service delivery with high success rates.

Peer Supervisor, Resolution Institute 2024

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

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

Developing dispute resolution initiatives for the building sector
Encouraging alternative dispute resolution and non-litigation outcomes.

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.

Copy writer, Freelance 2014-2016

Drafting tailored, persuasive communications to varied audiences.

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, taking the business from startup to policy, to profitable hand-over with excellent business reputation.
Responsible for difficult change management and engagement with key stakeholders against strong resistance
Roles included:
- General Manager, One Stone Restaurant, 2013-2014
  - Planning and executing events including corporate and weddings, all areas of the business
- General Manager, Campus and Events, 2010-2014
  - Managing mostly volunteer team to run eighty-eight bed and multi-room function centre.

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
Relevant subsequent experiences included:
- 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
- Founder and Director, L & L Katona Engineering, 2010
  - Start-up delivering specific equipment to the franchisor of Aussie Farmers Direct
  - Engaging engineers, R&D, manufacture, and supply of 2 new products.

Property Manager, Tabor College Victoria 2007-2008

Maintaining campus facilities.

Director, David Katona Electronics Maintenance 1997-2000

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

Education:

LLM - Master of Laws (Applied Law) Dispute Resolution - College of Law - Current
Graduate Certificate of International Arbitration - College of Law - Current
LLB - Bachelor of Laws With Distinction – Deakin University – 2024
Graduate Diploma of Legal Services - College of Law - 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

Academic Involvement:

Founder, 'Mediators in Action' - Real mediation demonstrations for students and practitioners, 2025

Speaker, 'Issue 1 and the mediation futility argument', Africa In The Moot, 2025

Speaker, 'Practical Mediation Strategies', National Law School of India University, Bengaluru India, 2025

Co-speaker, 'International Commercial Arbitration 101', Deakin University and University of Malawi, 2024

Judge, Virtual Internation Med-Arb Competition, MediateGuru, India, 2024

Judge, International Med-Arb Competition, Tamil Nadu National Law University, Tiruchirappalli, India, 2025

Judge, NUALS Mediation Competition, National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kerala India, 2025

Judge, Willem C Vis Budapest Pre-moot, Hungary, 2024
Mentor, MediateGuru Mentorship program, India, 2024

Coach, for University of Malawi, Willem C. Vis ICA Team, 2024-2025

Contract Coach, Deakin University, Deakin Internation Commercial Arbitration Competition team, 2024
Advisor, providing students with advice regarding mediation principles relating to the Willem C. Vis moot problem, for several international teams from various international universities, 2025

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.

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.

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.

Legal Intern, Amicus Lawyers, 2022

Drafting pleadings, client management, negotiation.

Legal Intern, Simon Heaney Lawyers and Consultants, 2021

Contract drafting, client generation, case management.

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
Specialised in difficult casualty extraction and transport.

Touring and session musical artist, various locations, 2000-2004, 2014-2024