Mak, Carmen

Carmen has almost 20 years of experience advising Commonwealth agencies on complex commercial transactions and implementation of government policies and initiatives. She was promoted to Senior Executive Lawyer in 2024.

Carmen is expert at providing pragmatic and solution-focused advice and has assisted many clients navigate and manage legal risks and achieve outcomes.

Carmen specialises in procurement and contracting, probity, program delivery and complex commercial arrangements. She also advises on procurement complaints and handling, contract management issues and resolution of commercial disputes.

Prior to joining AGS Commercial in 2019, Carmen spent more than a decade in senior legal roles at the Department of Defence advising on the acquisition and support of leading-edge Defence technology and capability, legal and procurement policies, and the Australian Standard for Defence Contracting (ASDEFCON) templates.

Carmen has advised on many high profile and major Commonwealth projects and arrangements, including Defence’s $50 billion Future Submarine Program, the OneSKY Australia program, procurements to support the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit 2024, the intergovernmental agreement for the Public Safety Mobile Broadband Program, support services for victims of identity crime and misuse, and Whole of Australian Government panel arrangements.

She has received in 2018 recognition for outstanding performance by the Defence Associate Secretary for her role as Defence Legal’s lead procurement and commercial lawyer, involvement with the Future Submarines Program and closing out multiple complex transactions. In 2015, Carmen received a Gold Commendation from the Defence Associate Secretary for exemplary performance in support of the establishment and implementation phases of the Defence Innovation Hub.