1. Master of Laws (First Class), University of Cambridge, 2020
2. Bachelor of Laws (University Medal, First Class), University of Queensland, 2016
3. Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland, 2016

Immediately prior to coming to the Bar, Michael was Counsel Assisting the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth, assisting with advices and High Court litigation of the highest importance to the Commonwealth. Michael has also 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.

Michael has previously worked as 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 holds a Master of Law (First Class) from the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded the Henry Arthur Hollond Studentship by Trinity College. He also graduated with a BA/LLB with the University Medal in Law from the University of Queensland.

1. Leading Administrative Law and Public Law Barristers, Queensland, 2024

Constitutional law:

1. Vanderstock v State of Victoria (2023) 98 ALJR 208; [2023] HCA 30 (led by Stephen Donaghue KC, David Thomas SC and Celia Winnett)
2. JZQQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2023] FCAFC 168 (led by Craig Lenehan SC)
3. Pearson v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors (S126/2023); JZQQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (B15/2024) and Tapiki v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (P10/2024) (led by Craig Lenehan SC and Zelie Heger)
4. CZA19 v Minister for Immigration & Anor and DBD24 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (M66/2024 and P29/2024) (led by Patrick Knowles SC)
5. CRS20 v Secretary, Department of Home Affairs [2024] FCA 619 (led by Patrick Knowles SC) (and in pending appeal VID 602/2024)
6. BOE21 v Commonwealth of Australia [2024] FCA 709 (interlocutory, unled)
7. Ingall v Australian Postal Corporation (Q34/23) (unled)

Administrative law:

1. Child Support Registrar v CMU23 [2024] FCA 109 (led by Scott McLeod KC)
2. Burns & Anor v Chief of the Defence Force [2024] FCA 781 (led by Scott McLeod KC) (and in pending appeal)
3. Rewami v Australian Information Commissioner (QUD 446/2023) (unled)
4. Brooks v Operator, National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (led by Scott McLeod KC) [2024] FCA 725
5. Sabatino v Minister for Resources (BS 9739/23) (led by Stephen Lee)
6. Lie In Tjeng v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (BRG 99/2023) (unled)
7. Li v Minister for Immigration (BRG 15/2021) (unled)
8. Kolera v Queensland Police (OCL009-24) (unled)

General commercial:

1. Lan Keperra Pty Ltd v Fraser’s Property Keperra (BS2118/23) (led by Gareth Beacham KC and Stewart Webster)
2. Americold Australian Holdings Pty Ltd v Lago Cold Stores Ltd (NSD 363/2023) (led by Stewart Webster)
3. Inspector-General in Bankruptcy v Harnett & Anor (QUD 507/2024) (led by Julianne Jacques KC)
4. General Trade Industries v AGL Energy Limited (QUD 255/2020) (discovery application) (unled)
5. Cook v Alderson & Anor (BS 4494/24) (unled)
6. Graham v MacNamara Group Pty Ltd (BS 1190/24) (unled)
7. Angus v Polites & Firgaira Property Pty Ltd (RSL164-19) (unled)
8. Confidential expert determination (led by Nuala Simpson and Jayleigh Sargent) for the head landlord against a prospective tenant in relation to a high value construction project in New South Wales

Michael has also been briefed in several other large ongoing commercial cases, although his involvement in those matters remains confidential.

Advice work:

Michael has advised corporate and government clients on the prospects of potential litigation in diverse fields including general commercial, contract, equity and trusts and statutory construction.