Michael Workman

Michael Workman is a dual-qualified barrister (Australia; England & Wales) who focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, arbitration, regulatory matters, and cutting-edge legal issues related to artificial intelligence (AI). He has extensive experience representing clients in high-profile, cross-border disputes, particularly those involving shareholder conflicts, fraud, insolvency, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory enforcement.

Michael's disputes experience spans high-value litigation in the English Commercial Court and arbitration proceedings under international rules, including the ICC and LCIA. He regularly advises on enforcement strategies across foreign jurisdictions and has appeared as an advocate before England's Senior Courts, international arbitration tribunals, and all state courts in Western Australia (including the Court of Appeal).

Michael's regulatory work includes white-collar crime, enforcement, data privacy and sanctions. He advises clients in relation to high-profile investigations and enforcement proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, including managing related civil proceedings. With respect to data privacy, Michael has advised clients facing investigations commenced by European data privacy regulators and has experience representing clients in responding to Data Subject Access Requests and civil proceedings commenced by data subjects.

As a thought leader in the intersection of AI and the law, Michael is a leading UK lawyer in this emerging area. He was seconded to lead a team working on AI legal issues, resulting in the Law Commission's 2025 report on AI and the Law. He is also a member of the UK's Judicial Taskforce Committee, which is preparing a Legal Statement on Civil Liability and AI, expected in 2025. Michael frequently speaks at events and conferences on the legal challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Before joining Steptoe, Michael practiced at a leading US law firm following his time at the London Bar. Earlier in his career, he advised and represented the State Government of Western Australia, including on high-profile construction disputes and other major state litigation.