Expertise
Michael is a dual-qualified (England & Wales/ New York) specialist in international arbitration and commercial litigation, and Co-Head of Gateley’s International Arbitration practice, for which we have recently been recognised as a ‘Firm to Watch’ by Legal 500.
Michael advises clients on cross border and domestic disputes across a wide range of industries and sectors including engineering, construction, power, oil & gas, real estate, commodities, M&A, pharmaceuticals/ life sciences, IT and financial services. Michael has acted as counsel on international arbitrations conducted under major institutional arbitration rules including the ICC, LCIA, AAA-ICDR, SCC, ICSID, as well as ad hoc UNICITRAL arbitrations. He has managed litigation before the English courts and appeared as counsel of record in federal and state courts in the United States. His international arbitration practice encompasses both commercial disputes and investor-state disputes; and he is a specialist in English law, US federal and state law, public international law and private international law.
Michael also assists clients on matters ancillary to litigation and arbitration proceedings such as enforcement of arbitration awards and court judgements, injunctive relief, attachment on assets, as well as discovery in the United States in aid of foreign proceedings (Section 1782). He assists clients seeking funding of their disputes and advises on the purchase of arbitration awards in the secondary market.
In addition to contentious work, Michael assists clients with advisory matters such as drafting dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements and investment structuring. He has significant experience advising clients on disputes involving sovereigns and public international law.
Michael regularly talks at conferences in the UK and internationally on arbitration and litigation matters. He previously worked for a major international law firm, spending significant periods practicing in both New York and London.