Michael is a senior corporate lawyer with over 30 years of experience in corporate advisory, cross-border transactions, equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.
He provides corporate and commercial advice to clients in the oil and gas industry, to listed public companies, Australian businesses of all sizes and the Australian branches of multinational companies.
Michael’s expertise includes specialist Corporations Act advice including capital raisings, insider trading issues, public company takeovers, Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listing rules and continuous disclosure issues for clients across a number of sectors including, biotech, funeral, health, mining, oil and gas and technology.
He provides advice knowing that clients are busy and require his assistance. He is well regarded for his ability to identify issues of importance and leverages his experience during challenges to find alternatives and compromises to ensure success.
Michael joined Keypoint Law in 2024 and is based in Sydney.
Expertise
- Corporate Advisory
- Cross-Border Transactions
- Equity Capital Markets
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Commercial transactions
- Shareholder and joint venture agreements
- Boardroom issues (directors’ duties etc)
- ASX advisory
Experience
- Biotech fundraising — acting for listed biotech companies in numerous of debt and equity capital raising since 2013, including rights issue, IPOs and placements with domestic and US financiers.
- Multi-Option Facility for International Software and Service Provider — advised an international software and service provider in relation to its refinancing of a secured multi-option facility agreement involving both revolving and non-revolving loan facilities. Due to the global reach of our client’s business, it was necessary that the facilities be available and repayable in multiple different currencies, with the ability to change between currencies at any time. The new debt facility also provided funding for our client to explore new acquisition opportunities.
- Petronas — represented PETRONAS, a global energy group, in Australia for over 15 years.
- InvoCare Limited — advising the global operator of funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria on large and small acquisitions, and providing daily corporate and commercial advice.
- Canadian Shipping Lines (CSL) — long time legal adviser.
- IPOs, Takeovers, Shareholder Schemes of Arrangement, ASX issues.
Recognition
- Doyle’s Guide — Leading Corporate Lawyers: Recommended — NSW — 2020
- Best Lawyers in Australia™ — Mergers & Acquisitions Law — NSW each year since 2021
- Member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Finance and Systems)/Laws, University of New South Wales
- Master of Laws, University of Sydney
Career
| 2024 – present | Keypoint Law | Consulting Principal |
| 2021 – 2023 | Addisons | Consultant |
| 2005 – 2021 | Addisons | Partner |
| 2000 – 2005 | Coudert Brothers | Partner |
| 1987 – 2005 | Norton Smith | Partner |