Profile
Barrister | Financial Crime, Regulatory Enforcement & Complex Investigations
Michael is a senior barrister specialising in financial crime, regulatory enforcement and complex investigations.
He has more than 20 years' experience as a lawyer, including six years at the independent Bar. His experience includes senior roles with the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office, the United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office in London, ASB financial crime compliance, as well as in private legal practice at Russell McVeagh and Meredith Connell.
This rare combination of enforcement, financial-crime, regulatory and advocacy experience gives Michael practical insight into the way complex investigations and prosecutions are developed and pursued, as well as the strategic considerations facing individuals and organisations responding to them.
Michael has acted for and advised enforcement agencies, public bodies, companies and individuals in serious and complex investigations and proceedings. His practice includes fraud, bribery and corruption, financial-market misconduct, anti-money laundering, regulatory investigations, criminal proceedings and related financial and corporate issues.
Michael is available to advise at an early stage of an investigation, including before charges or regulatory proceedings are commenced, as well as advising and representing clients in prosecutions, regulatory proceedings, appeals and related litigation.
Michael has a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Toronto. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB(Hons)) at the University of Otago and achieved first class honours. At the University of Toronto, he was a Fellow in Health Law and Policy for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and a Spencer Mason scholar.
Practice areas
Criminal and regulatory investigations and proceedings
Michael has extensive experience acting for both prosecution and defence in serious and complex criminal matters, with particular experience in financial and corporate offending including across Serious Fraud Office, Financial Markets Authority, and ACC fraud investigations and proceedings.
He has appeared in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal and has acted as lead or junior counsel in a range of significant prosecutions and appeals.
Public and statutory inquiries
Michael was appointed Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in Care. He led survivor evidence and cross-examined senior Crown and faith-based leaders across six public hearings.
He has also been appointed Counsel Assisting the Coroner in significant coronial inquiries and has acted in regulatory and professional disciplinary matters.
Experience
Selected financial-crime and regulatory experience
Michael's experience includes:
- Acting for the Serious Fraud Office and Crown in fraud and corruption investigations and prosecutions.
- Acting for the Financial Markets Authority in a complex investigation and prosecution.
- Advising financial-service providers in relation to FMA regulatory investigations and proceedings.
- Prosecuting former directors and a senior executive of Capital + Merchant Finance, including subsequent appellate litigation.
- Prosecuting a former director and two senior executives of Dominion Finance.
- Prosecuting a financial adviser for the misappropriation of approximately $2.6 million of client funds.
- Prosecuting a solicitor for the theft of approximately $2.8 million of client funds.
- Prosecuting a foreign-exchange trader in relation to a $7 million Ponzi scheme, including appearing as co-counsel in the Court of Appeal.
- Acting for a defendant in an SFO prosecution involving offending under the Secret Commissions Act.
- Advising a London-based client in relation to a global fraud investigation, including search warrants, enforcement powers and mutual assistance.
- Participating as a panel member in the OECD evaluation of New Zealand's implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention.
Professional history
2020 – Barrister, Quay Chambers
2018-2020 – Senior Investigating Lawyer, Serious Fraud Office
2016-2018 – Financial Crime Compliance Specialist, ASB
2013-2014 – Investigative Lawyer, United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office (secondment)
2011-2016 - Senior Investigating Lawyer, Serious Fraud Office
2008-2011 – Solicitor / Senior Litigation Solicitor, Russell McVeagh
2005-2007 – Solicitor, Meredith Connell
Education
Master of Laws (LLM), University of Toronto
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours, University of Otago
Professional memberships and affiliations
Serious Fraud Office Prosecutors Panel
Manukau Crown Solicitor's Prosecution Panel
Auckland Council Prosecution Panel
New Zealand Law Society
New Zealand Bar Association
Auckland Medico-Legal Society
Contact Michael
Quay Chambers is located on the corner of Quay Street and Commerce Street in the Britomart precinct. We are a short walk from Britomart Train Station, Britomart Car Park and Downtown Car Park. There are also pay and display car parks nearby.
Physical Address:
Level 7, 2 Commerce Street, Auckland 1010
Postal Address:
PO Box 106215, Auckland 1143
DX: CP 18023
Telephone:
+64 21 305 682
Facsimile:
+64 9 377 5071