Overview
Michael brings to the practice considerable experience in complex commercial litigation and a range of general commercial, real estate and hotel transactions.
He commenced his legal career in the structured property finance group at Clayton Utz, before joining the securitisation team at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (as it was then known). He subsequently gained experience in the commercial litigation group at Mallesons before forging Harris & Harris in early 2004.
Practice areas
Commercial Law
Michael is on speed dial for a many prominent directors in the Sydney business community. Over the last 20 years he has become an integral advisor to commercial interests operating in a range of industries, including recycling, logistics, property and hotels. He prides himself on being accessible, efficient and at all times focused on the value-add proposition for our commercial clients. Having worked front and back-end commercial work, his dexterity in navigating legal issues is a valuable asset to clients of the firm.
Land & Property
As the firm’s core clients continue to grow their own businesses, inevitably their reach into the world of property acquisition, development and trade also grows. Michael has handled thousands of property transactions, with many being high value and often accompanied by some complexity.
Property is also an interest area for Michael personally, and so he is always available and pleased to converse about your next property opportunity or development issues.
Dispute Resolution
Michael has a strong background in litigation and dispute resolution, mainly in commercial, property and estates. Over many years, the firm has established relationships with key stakeholders in successful litigation campaigns, ranging from the right junior and senior counsel to various financial, accounting, engineering and valuation experts.
Michael has good working relationships with many of Sydney’s leading commercial barristers which is crucial to finding the right team at the right time.
Key Achievements
- Navigating the collapse of a managed investment scheme and subsequent litigation.
- Acting in a landmark case redefining the law on easements and restrictive covenants.
- Advising on a high-value restructure for one of Australia’s most successful private corporate groups.
- Negotiating the restructure of a township in Western Sydney and it's on-sale through a series of option agreements.
- Advising on the merger of several strategic port assets.
- Negotiating option terms and on-sale of land earmarked for an energy plant.
- Transacting several acquisitions for a growing media company and taking them public (unlisted)
- Negotiating several long-term supply contracts in the glass processing industry.
- Negotiating and implementing shareholder buy-out for a large private worldwide resource company.
Qualifications
Michael holds Honours degrees in both Law and Applied Finance, and was first admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2003.
