Specialising in superannuation and pensions, general and life insurance, funds management, financial services reform and regulation, Michael provides regulatory and commercial advice to Australia’s leading financial services entities.
On behalf of his clients, he works closely with key regulators including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the Australian Taxation Office.
Having gained valuable client-side experience on secondments as in-house legal counsel at MLC/National Australia Bank and BT Financial Group, Michael has genuine insight into his clients’ needs.
Michael has published widely on financial services issues and is a regular speaker at industry conferences in Australia and abroad. He is a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School and lectures in the postgraduate program. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Western Sydney University School of Law. He is on the editorial panel of the Australian Superannuation Law Bulletin and is also a co-author of the LexisNexis published report The Law of Superannuation in Australia.
Key deals
Janus Capital Group
Advised on the Australian regulatory aspects of a world-wide funds management merger between Janus and the Henderson Group creating a funds management business managing more than US$320 billion in assets.
HESTA
Acted for the trustee of the HESTA Super Fund in relation to a number of superannuation, investment and life insurance regulatory projects.
Australia Post
Successfully represented Australia Post as the employer sponsor of the Australia Post Superannuation Scheme in Federal Court proceedings involving a superannuation dispute.
Bank of China
Advised on a wholesale review of the Bank’s internal policies as an Australian Financial Services licensee.
Northern Trust
Advised on a global regulatory project and assisted Northern Trust with its liaison with key regulators in Australia.
STM Group
Advised STM Group, a multi-jurisdictional financial services provider, with the establishment of an Australian subsidiary and the structuring of a QROPs product in Australia.
Vanguard
Advised on, and settled the terms of an investment management agreement with a large Australian industry superannuation fund.
Perpetual
Advised in relation to the Perpetual Wholesale Industrial Fund and assisted Perpetual in liaising with a key regulator regarding trust law and regulatory obligations.
Effissimo Capital Management
Advised Effissimo, a hedge fund based in Singapore, on the regulatory issues under the FSSA and IATA associated with a proposed investment in an Australian financial services company.