Michael has been admitted to legal practice for 38 years. He was a solicitor/advocate until 2018. He then moved to the Tasmanian Independent Bar to practise as a barrister at Malthouse Chambers, Hobart. He has extensive experience in family law and, indeed, practises exclusively in that area. He was formerly an Accredited Specialist Family Law with the Law Institute of Victoria. He also (and necessarily) has a good working knowledge of other areas of law, including commercial, trust, estates, guardianship and insurance law.
His approach during Court hearings is forensic and strategic, but modest.
Michael is also an experienced AIFLAM accredited mediation-style conference chairperson. Consistent with that model, he aims to let the parties ‘own’ their event but he is willing upon request to express legal views where that might be helpful to the parties and to their legal practitioners. As a client’s practitioner in those events, he is respectful but firm in advancing their interests.
In the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, where he has presided for more than several years as a Member in the Tribunal’s Protective/Guardianship and Anti-Discrimination streams, Michael aims to conduct proceedings fairly, politely and without undue formality. He has written numerous, published decisions in that jurisdiction.
Malthouse Chambers
119 Hampden Road
Battery Point, Tasmania 7004
PO Box 20
Battery Point, Tasmania 7004
Telephone: (03) 6223 3844
Mobile: 0458 102 224
Noted Experience
- 1986—1993 employed solicitor at Butler McIntyre and Butler, Hobart
- 1993—1998 Partner, Butler McIntyre and Butler
- 1998—2004 Principal, Trezise Lawyers, Hobart
- 2004—2018 Partner/Principal, Dobson Mitchell Allport Lawyers, Hobart