Barrister, Greenway Chambers, Sydney
In 2013, Michael came to the Bar, where he has continued to build on his reputation as advocate and advisor in many high-profile cases and projects.
He was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1980, and became a partner with Sly & Russell (now Norton Rose Fulbright). In 1992, he moved as a partner to Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst). As a solicitor, Michael practiced as both an advisor and advocate and built an outstanding reputation across his chosen practice areas.
Between July 2003 and November 2004, Michael was seconded to the NSW Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) as Corporate Counsel. This involved supervising the litigation of the Department and also legislation, including the creation of State Water, the commencement of the Water Management Act 2000 via the passage of the 2004 Amending Act, and (as instructing counsel in Parliament) the 2003 natural resources cognate legislation - the Native Vegetation Act, Natural Resource Commission Act and the Catchment Management Authorities Act.
Listed by Doyles as a Leading Planning & Environment Lawyer since 2013, Michael is also recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia (2017) under the categories of:
Construction/Infrastructure Law
Energy Law
Government Practice
Natural Resources Law, and
Planning & Environmental Law, for which he is the current 'Lawyer of the Year’ 2017.
In 2013, Michael came to the Bar, where he has continued to build on his reputation as advocate and advisor in many high-profile cases and projects.
He was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1980, and became a partner with Sly & Russell (now Norton Rose Fulbright). In 1992, he moved as a partner to Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst). As a solicitor, Michael practiced as both an advisor and advocate and built an outstanding reputation across his chosen practice areas.
Between July 2003 and November 2004, Michael was seconded to the NSW Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) as Corporate Counsel. This involved supervising the litigation of the Department and also legislation, including the creation of State Water, the commencement of the Water Management Act 2000 via the passage of the 2004 Amending Act, and (as instructing counsel in Parliament) the 2003 natural resources cognate legislation - the Native Vegetation Act, Natural Resource Commission Act and the Catchment Management Authorities Act.
Listed by Doyles as a Leading Planning & Environment Lawyer since 2013, Michael is also recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia (2017) under the categories of:
Construction/Infrastructure Law
Energy Law
Government Practice
Natural Resources Law, and
Planning & Environmental Law, for which he is the current 'Lawyer of the Year’ 2017.