Michael read physics at Imperial College before switching to law.  He was called to the Bar in 1980 and joined chambers at 11 South Square, Gray's Inn where he is now the head of chambers.  In 1991 he was appointed Junior Counsel to the Treasury in Patent and related matters, a post he held until he took silk (QC) in 1996.  Whilst Treasury Junior he advised the government on many IP matters and represented it regularly in tribunals up to the European Court.  He was accredited as a mediator by ADR Chambers in 2004, since when he has regularly conducted IP mediations.  He also teaches mediation courses.

Michael is one of the foremost Intellectual Property barristers in the UK.  He has appeared in many leading patent, trade mark and copyright cases over the last 25 years and is well known for his technical grasp and IP expertise.  He is also well-known for his IT practice, having acted in a number of substantial IT disputes.  He recently advised EDS in a dispute over a major public sector contract.  He is currently representing Nokia in patent cases concerned with mobile telephone technology, a field of considerable technological complexity.  His forensic skills are widely admired, particularly in cross-examination.

As a mediator, Michael has a rapidly growing reputation as an effective facilitator of positive discussions between the parties.  Since becoming accredited, he has mediated disputes in all areas of IP.