A partner in Colin Biggers & Paisley's insurance team since 2015, Michael also leads the class actions team. 

Michael is an experienced disputes and insurance litigator and advises a range of clients including, listed entities, insurers, financial institutions, directors, executives and professionals.

He has expertise in large-scale litigation and complex matters involving corporate collapses, class actions, insurance, financial services, transport, technology and professional services.

Michael has acted on some of Australia's largest commercial and class action litigation. His recent instructions include:

  • Acting for RCR Tomlinson in the defence of three shareholder class actions filed in the Supreme Court of NSW.

  • Acting for Dick Smith in the defence of two shareholder class actions filed in the Supreme Court of NSW.

  • Acting for Spotless in the defence of a shareholder class action commenced in the Federal Court of Australia.

  • Acting for the auditors of Statewide in the Banksia litigation and class actions filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  • Acting for Chandler Macleod and Ready Workforce in defence of employment class actions filed in the Federal Court of Australia.

  • Acting for Equititrust in the defence of large investor proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.

  • Acting for Downer EDI in the defence of a shareholder class action filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  • Acting for various D&O insurers of Babcock & Brown in defence of investor proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court of NSW.

  • Acting for Fairview Architectural in the defence of a product liability class action filed in the Federal Court of Australia.

  • Acting for Monash IVF in the defence of a consumer class action filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  • Acting in defence of a surgeon in the DCSS class action filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Michael has particular experience in claims arising from corporate collapses including claims following the collapses of One.Tel, Opes Prime, Babcock & Brown, Lehman Brothers, Banksia Group, Equititrust, AIPE, Diploma Group, Dick Smith and RCR Tomlinson. 

Since 2020, Legal 500 has recognised the practice's expertise in dispute resolution: class actions. In the 2021 to 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia Michael is recognised for his expertise in Litigation and in the 2022 to 2024 editions he is recognised for Insurance Law. Michael was also recognised for his expertise in class actions and litigation in Lawyerly's 2021 Litigation Rising Stars series. In 2022, Michael was listed as a leading Class Actions Lawyer Australia-wide in Doyle's Guide

Michael has degrees in Commerce (International Business) and Law from the University of Wollongong. 

Admitted as a solicitor in 2008 and admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of NSW, as well as the Federal Court and High Court, Michael has been involved in litigation across all levels of first instance and appellate jurisdictions, including a number of appeals to the High Court.

Memberships
  • Law Society of NSW
  • Australian Insurance Law Association
  • Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF)
  • Australian Institute of Company Directors