Michelle specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, and is known for her expertise in insolvency, restructuring and banking litigation. Her clients include major Australian banks, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners.
Michelle also advises corporations and boards in relation to highly reputational and strategic litigation, insolvent trading, voidable transaction risk and their dealings with insolvent companies.
She has acted in a number of complex and large-scale insolvencies, involving numerous disputes across Australian jurisdictions.
Michelle is a committee member for the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association as well as the Law Council of Australia BLS Insolvency and Reconstruction. She is also a member of Women in Technology and Women in Mining WA, IWIRC (WA) and has membership with IWIRC International and the Turnaround Management Association.
Key deals
Banks and Insolvency
Advising on security position and enforcement strategies, including advising on the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth), representing clients on measures to overcome issues with their loan and security positions, and advising on their on-going relationships with customers and defence of claims.
Oil & Gas Company
Representing a large oil and gas company on a highly-contested expedited trial involving wide-ranging allegations of breach of contract, misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, and estoppel.
Fortescue Metals Group
Defending FMG in a claim in relation to the set off of monies to rectify defects in the Solomon Power Plant.
Administrators
Advising and representing the administrators of a mining group, including on numerous highly-contested disputes. In addition, advising administrators on restructuring options, the conduct of contentious creditors meetings, drafting deeds of company arrangement, and various operational matters.
Allstate Group
Advised and represented the Administrators of the Allstate Group in various litigation matters, which were integral to their strategic position.