Michelle specialises in public and administrative law advice and litigation. She regularly represents Commonwealth and State government clients in high volume litigation concerning administrative decisions made by Ministers, their delegates, and administrative tribunals under a range of statutory schemes.
She is a trusted adviser to government and is recognised for her ability to provide frank and realistic advice about litigation risks, case strategy, and statutory interpretation issues.
Michelle frequently appears as a solicitor advocate and instructs Senior and Junior Counsel at contested hearings in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Administrative Review Tribunal, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) and Federal Court of Australia (including the Full Federal Court).
Experience
- Represents the Minister for Immigration in high-volume merits, judicial review and appellate proceedings in the Administrative Review Tribunal, Federal Circuit and Family Court, and Federal Court (including the Full Court), navigating complex visa and citizenship decisions made under the Migration Act and Australian Citizenship Act.
- Acts for the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, appearing as solicitor advocate in tribunal proceedings concerning firearms licences and prohibited weapons permits, managing sensitive regulatory and public safety issues.
- Represents the Minister for Foreign Affairs in merits review proceedings concerning passport decisions, addressing complex legal issues involving the rights of persons with parental responsibility and broader public interest considerations.
- Acts for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner in tribunal proceedings, supporting the regulation and integrity of the aged care sector.
- Advises Commonwealth government clients on privacy and information sharing issues, including data collection, consent (particularly involving minors), and responding to subpoenas within strict legislative frameworks.
- Undertook a secondment with the Department of Home Affairs, supporting the implementation of new legislative frameworks under the Criminal Code and providing practical legal support.