Michael was called to the Bar in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from James Cook University. Prior to coming to the Bar, Michael practised for over a decade in both the private and pro bono sectors. He maintained an extensive civil and administrative law practice, advising and representing clients in a range of jurisdictions in Australia. Michael has extensive experience in inquiries and inquests, having acted in a range of matters including deaths in care, deaths… Show more Michael was called to the Bar in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from James Cook University. Prior to coming to the Bar, Michael practised for over a decade in both the private and pro bono sectors. He maintained an extensive civil and administrative law practice, advising and representing clients in a range of jurisdictions in Australia. Michael has extensive experience in inquiries and inquests, having acted in a range of matters including deaths in care, deaths in custody or during police operations, deaths caused by systemic issues impacting First Nations people, deaths caused by domestic and family violence, cold case reviews and missing persons matters. Michael has lectured in International Law, Human Rights Law and Clinical Legal Studies at James Cook University. He is a well-respected practitioner in North Queensland and has been the president of the Townsville District Law Association and the North Queensland Law Association. In 2021, his work was recognised by the Queensland Law Society when he was awarded the Emerging Leader Award. Michael accepts briefs in: · Public inquiries and coronial inquests· Public/administrative law· Human rights law· Family law· Criminal law· Civil litigation Show less

I currently work in a highly rewarding but challenging role as the Supervising Solicitor of Townsville Community Law.In this role, I advise and represent clients in all aspects of civil law across a range of jurisdictions, including complex administrative appeals matters in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court of Australia, ombudsman and tribunal complaints, contractual disputes, consumer complaints, insurance and superannuation matters, industrial relations matters… Show more I currently work in a highly rewarding but challenging role as the Supervising Solicitor of Townsville Community Law.In this role, I advise and represent clients in all aspects of civil law across a range of jurisdictions, including complex administrative appeals matters in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court of Australia, ombudsman and tribunal complaints, contractual disputes, consumer complaints, insurance and superannuation matters, industrial relations matters in both the State and Federal jurisdictions, coronial inquests in the Coroners Court of Queensland and matters with a human rights or social justice focus. I also have the opportunity to regularly contribute to law reform issues, by providing policy or bill commentary or submissions and have a keen interest in all things human rights and pro bono, as well as providing advocacy for disadvantaged members of our community in all forms and forums. I supervise a staff of solicitors, support workers and administrative officers across a number of services, including the general legal service, family law service, seniors support legal service, social security rights service and the coronial assistance legal service. In addition to the day-to-day legal work at Townsville Community Law, I am passionate about training students and young lawyers in community legal centres. I both lecture and supervise law students in legal practice through the Clinical Legal Studies program at James Cook University Townsville, as well as coordinate and supervise the practical legal training and law student volunteering programs through Townsville Community Law. Show less

Following completion of an LL.B (Hons) through James Cook University, I undertook a traineeship at Ruddy Tomlins & Baxter Solicitors in Ayr, Queensland, and continued to practice as a solicitor at the firm following completion of the traineeship and admission as a legal practitioner. In this role, I advised and represented clients in a broad range of civil and criminal matters, with a particular emphasis on commercial, rural and residential sales, leasing & other property transactions… Show more Following completion of an LL.B (Hons) through James Cook University, I undertook a traineeship at Ruddy Tomlins & Baxter Solicitors in Ayr, Queensland, and continued to practice as a solicitor at the firm following completion of the traineeship and admission as a legal practitioner. In this role, I advised and represented clients in a broad range of civil and criminal matters, with a particular emphasis on commercial, rural and residential sales, leasing & other property transactions, as well as civil and criminal litigation. Show less