Michael is an insurance and commercial litigation lawyer, with expertise in financial lines (including professional indemnity and D&O), property, ISR and strata.
Michael acts for Australian and London insurers on large complex litigation and coverage disputes. Michael defends professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, auditors and construction professionals. Michael is also coverage counsel in respect of high value indemnity disputes, regulatory proceedings and class actions.
Michael is recognised for his knowledge of policy interpretation issues, litigation strategy and commerciality. He has advised on matters in the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of QLD, the Supreme Court of NSW, the Supreme Court of the ACT and Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Experience
Financial institutions and risks: solicitors, accountants, brokers and directors
- Successfully negotiated the discontinuance of an unmeritorious, multimillion dollar claim in the Supreme Court of Queensland (with costs) against a large national law firm: Blue Dog Group Pty Ltd v ASIC & Ors [2025] QSC 342;
- Acting for international insurers in the Federal Court of Australia in respect of a billion dollar trade credit insurance dispute;
- Successfully defending and resolving multiple claims against an independent auditor in the Supreme Court and District Court of New South Wales;
- Successfully defending and resolving multiple claims against solicitors arising out of property and corporate transactions, and wills and estates matters;
- Acting as coverage counsel for one of Australia's most significant data breaches;
- Acting as coverage counsel for one of Australia's most significant regulatory proceedings; and
- Advising a significant government body in respect of a regulatory investigation;
Construction and property risks: engineering, designs, high rise residential buildings and commercial/industrial buildings
- Advising and defending a mechanical engineering firm in a multimillion dollar construction dispute in the Supreme Court of the ACT;
- Advising on indemnity in relation to professional negligence claims against engineers and surveyors, large loss/catastrophe claims and property damage claims;
- Successfully resolved an insurance claim for a blue chip mining company insured for damaged mining equipment worth approximately $10m in an underground mine explosion;
- Advising on multiple, contentious AFCA complaints arising out of complex indemnity issues in ISR and property policies; and
- Advising international insurers in relation to non-disclosure arising out of a multimillion dollar claim in the Supreme Court of NSW against a group of earthmoving companies.