Litigation
Current practice
Michael has been a partner in the Sydney office of Freehills for over 25 years. His practice focuses on competition law, against a background of many years in the corporate area, including M&A, joint ventures, commercial contracts, and intellectual property.In competition law, Michael’s work includes:
- strategic advice on the full range of business structures and commercial transactions
- dealing with the ACCC in relation to merger clearances, notification and authorisation of conduct, and investigations and enforcement
- trade practices awareness and compliance training for management.
Industry experience
Michael has acted for clients in a range of industries including: aviation; pharmaceuticals and healthcare; food and beverages; grocery wholesale and retail; resources; property development and construction; and media, sports, and entertainment.Some of his recent matters include:
- leading the Freehills team for Air New Zealand’s successful application to the Australian Competition Tribunal for authorisation of its strategic alliance with Qantas
- advising Tab Limited in relation to ACCC merger clearance of its merger proposal with UniTab Limited and subsequently its merger with Tabcorp Limited
- obtaining ACCC authorisation for Little Company of Mary Health Care’s acquisition of St Vincent’s Hospital, Launceston
- obtaining ACCC authorisation for the Star Alliance airlines of the Star Joint Corporate Agreement and the Conventions Plus Program
- obtaining ACCC authorisation for Sisters of Charity Health Service and other parties’ joint negotiation of Hospital Purchaser Provider Agreements with health funds and joint purchasing arrangements with suppliers
- obtaining ACCC merger clearance for:
- Metcash’s acquisition of Foodland Australia
- Burns Philp’s acquisition of Goodman Fielder
- John Fairfax’s acquisition of Text Media
- GlaxoSmithKline’s acquisition of Block Drug, and
- BMG’s acquisition of Zomba Records.
