Michael is responsible for the organic chemistry/pharmaceutical group where his professional activities include drafting and prosecuting patent applications, providing patent infringement and validity advice, conducting patent oppositions, filing and prosecuting patent term extensions and providing strategic patenting advice.

Michael joined Davies Collison Cave in 1996 after spending seven years with another large Melbourne patent firm. He became a partner of the firm in 1998. Prior to joining the firm Michael obtained research experience with ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd where he worked on the synthesis of sheep defleecing agents. After completing his honours degree and a research project involving the synthesis of a marine steroid, he spent most of 1988 at the University of Melbourne working on the synthesis of anthraquinones before leaving research life and commencing a career as a Patent Attorney. While at the University of Melbourne, Michael won the Shell Exhibition prize for chemistry (1985), the Dow Chemical (Aust.) Ltd Scholarship in Chemistry (1985), and the Dixon Scholarship in Chemistry (1986).

Michael is a fellow and council member of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), where he is convenor of the Patents Legislation Committee, and member of the Patent Consultation Group operated by IP Australia. Michael is involved in overseeing the preparation of submissions to IP Australia and other Government bodies in relation to Australian patent law and practice. He also consults to IP Australia in his role as member of the Patents Consultation Group. His IPTA activities included the preparation and filing of submissions in respect of IP Australia’s patent law reform proposals which lead to the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011. Michael is also chair of the International Patents Group (CET-3) of FICPI.

Michael was recommended as a leading individual in patent prosecution in the IAM Patent 1000 Guide 2012.