Michael has a broad civil and criminal practice, advising and appearing at trial and appellate level.
His civil practice focuses on insurance litigation, building and construction, probate and Part IV proceedings. He has also appeared as counsel in judicial review applications, confiscation proceedings and coronial inquests.
Michael’s criminal and regulatory experience spans the full spectrum from summary offences through to murder trials. He has appeared as counsel at all levels through to special leave applications in the High Court, and appeared unled numerous times in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
He is often briefed in matters involving complicated legal issues, including stay applications, appeals on a question of law, mental impairment and fitness to be tried.
A number of his cases have been reported and are set out in more detail under the Cases tab.
Immediately prior to being called to the Bar, Michael was a Public Defender with Victoria Legal Aid, where he appeared unled in the Court of Appeal and in jury trials in the County Court. Michael also appeared as junior counsel in Supreme Court trials.
Before working at Victoria Legal Aid, Michael was a prosecutor in the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In that role, Michael regularly appeared as trial and appellate counsel in the ACT Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Michael’s time at the ACT DPP included a period managing the Office’s appellate Practice.
Prior to practising in criminal law, Michael was a solicitor in a commercial firm, where he practised in litigation, commercial and property law.
Michael read with Raelene Sharp KC and his senior mentor is Peter Hanks KC.
