Profile
Year of Call:
2023Overview
Michael accepts briefs in all areas of law, with a particular focus on commercial and public law. Immediately prior to commencing at the Bar, he was Counsel Assisting the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth. In that role, Michael appeared as junior counsel in the High Court and assisted with the drafting of advices on issues of critical importance to Commonwealth. He was previously a Senior Lawyer (Dispute Resolution) at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), Counsel within the Office of General Counsel at AGS, and a Solicitor (Dispute Resolution) at King and Wood Mallesons.
Michael has served as Associate to the Hon Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC at the High Court of Australia, and to the Hon Justice Philip McMurdo in the Queensland Court of Appeal. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (with First Class Honours and a University Medal) from the University of Queensland and a Master of Law (First Class) from the University of Cambridge, where he studied diverse fields including restitution, advanced commercial remedies, and legislation.
Experience
Experience includes:
> Appearing (led) for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth (intervening) in the High Court of Australia in Vanderstock v State of Victoria (M61/2022) – a challenge to the constitutional validity of the Zero and Low Emissions Vehicles Act 2021 (Vic);
> Appearing (led) for the Minister for Immigration in the Full Court of the Federal Court in JZQQ v Minister for Immigration (QUD 336/2022) – a judicial review application raising novel administrative and constitutional law grounds;
> Appearing (led) for the Chief of the Defence Force in the Federal Court in Burns & Anor v Chief of Defence Force (QUD 336/2022) – a judicial review application in respect of proposed termination notices issued to members of the ADF;
> Acting (led) for the head landlord in a confidential expert determination in relation to a major ongoing construction project.
Assisting the Solicitor-General:
> Attorney-General v Hyunh (S78/2022) – A High Court appeal concerning whether the NSW system for post-conviction review applies of its own force in federal jurisdiction or alternatively is capable of being picked up and applied as federal law by s 68(1) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth);
> Davis v Minister for Immigration; DCM20 v Minister for Immigration (M32/2022; S81/2022) – A High Court appeal concerning the availability and scope of judicial review for the exercise of a non-statutory, non-prerogative capacity;
> Facebook v Australian Information Commissioner (S137/2022) – a High Court appeal regarding the meaning of the phrase “carries on business in Australia” within s 5 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth);
> SDCV v Director-General of Security (S27/2022)– a High Court appeal concerning whether s 46(2) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) is contrary to Ch III of the Constitution.
As part of a team of solicitors at AGS:
> Acting for the Department of Defence in the class action proceedings brought by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community in relation to the use of firefighting foams at HMAS Creswell;
> Acting for the Commissioner of Taxation in relation to a number of Federal Court taxation appeals;
> Advising various Commonwealth Departments on compliance with privacy and secrecy obligations associated with novel government programs;
> Acting for the Department of Health in relation to a number of judicial review challenges brought by medical practitioners in relation to investigations for inappropriate practice.
As part of a team of solicitors at KWM:
> Acting for the Gladstone Ports Corporation in defending a class action brought by fishermen alleging negligence and nuisance in managing port dredging activities;
> Acting for the Special Purpose Liquidators in relation to the liquidation of Queensland Nickel.
Appointments
2017-18 Judiciary Chairman, Greater Brisbane League Baseball
Member
LawRight
Career
2023 Barrister
2022 Counsel Assisting the Solicitor-General
2020-21 Lawyer/Senior Lawyer (Dispute Resolution), Australian Government Solicitor
2020 Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Australian Government Solicitor
2018-19 Associate, the Hon Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC, High Court of Australia
2018 Solicitor, King and Wood Mallesons
2017 Associate, the Hon Justice Philip McMurdo, Queensland Court of Appeal
Education
2019 Master of Laws (Class 1), University of Cambridge (Trinity College)
2016 Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (First Class, University Medal)
2015 LLB Study Abroad, Stockholm University
2013 Study Abroad, Sciences Po (Paris)
Awards
2018 Henry Arthur Hollond Studentship in Law, Trinity College, University of Cambridge
2018 Cambridge Australia Scholarship (Honorary Award), Cambridge Trust
2016 University Medal in Law, University of Queensland
2016 Virgil Power Prize for highest overall marks in advanced legal subjects, University of Queensland
2011-15 UQ Excellence Scholarship, University of Queensland
