Michael joined the Bar in December 1974 after studying part-time in the Articled Clerks Course at RMIT working for the Victorian Government in the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and as associate to Mr. Justice Adam of the Supreme Court. He was awarded the Supreme Court Prize in 1972 and admitted to practise in 1973.

He developed a practice in equity and property, commercial law, administrative law and public and constitutional law, took silk in 1992 and was appointed Chief Magistrate in May 1995. He resigned in 2000 and resumed practice. He was a part-time member of the Guardianship Board and chairman of the Community Committee of the Attorney-General?s Law Reform Advisory Committee. He now practises in a wide range of areas mainly based in equity, property and commercial, administrative and public law with specialties in wills probate and trusts, mental health and guardianship, contempt of court, privilege and freedom of information. He has a reputation for fast, responsive, lucid and concise legal drafting. He drafted the constitution for the Victorian Bar.

He is accredited as a mediator by the Victorian Bar.

Michael has appeared recently and won an FOI appeal in the Court of Appeal - Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure v Asher[2007] VSCA 272 involving the cabinet in confidence exemptions under section 28 of the FOI Act.