Overview
Michael Workman is a dual-qualified barrister (Australia/England & Wales) focusing on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, and regulatory matters.
Michael has experience in complex cross-border disputes, both in English courts and international arbitration, under various arbitration rules (LCIA, CEPANI). He has experience in complex cross-border contractual disputes, fraud, insolvency, worldwide freezing orders, and issues in regulatory privacy. His clients include multi-national corporations, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and government entities. Michael has appeared as an advocate on behalf of clients in the Senior Courts of England, and in all State courts in Western Australia, including the Court of Appeal.
Prior to Steptoe, Michael worked for another leading US law firm after qualifying and practicing at the London bar. He originally worked in Western Australia, advising and representing the State Government. Most recently, Michael worked within the Ministry of Justice advising on the UK Government's Access to Justice and Victims policies.
Michael also has an interest in legal education, having tutored and lectured undergraduate students in both London and Western Australia, on property, trusts, equity, legal ethics and legal theory.
- Barrister, England & Wales
- Supreme Court of Western Australia
- Supreme Court of Western Australia, 2015
- LL.M., University College London, Distinction
- LL.B., University of Western Australia, First Class Honors
- B.A., University of Western Australia, First Class Honors
Representative Matters
- Acted for a multi-national pharmaceutical company in a successful US$2.44 billion M&A dispute arising from the acquisition of a European over-the-counter pharmaceutical company.
- Acted for an African media group in an LCIA arbitration, defending a claimed wrongful termination of a joint venture, including challenging arbitral award in English commercial court.
- Acted for an NYSE listed property company in a dispute related to economic torts and cross-border insolvency.
- Advised an individual in enforcement proceedings, including a contempt of court application, against a foreign Ultra-High-Net-Worth individual.
- Acted for the State of Western Australia in bringing disciplinary proceedings against the then Lord of Mayor of Perth, Western Australia.
- Acted for the State of Western Australia in the State's longest running defamation trial in the matter of Rayney v State of Western Australia [No 9] [2017] WASC 367.
News & Publications
StepTechToe
The UK’s AI Framework: Still in Developmental Stages
August 29, 2024
By: Anne-Gabrielle Haie, Maury Shenk, Michael Workman, Lindsey Dimond
Previous Employment
- Solicitor & Barrister, State Solicitor's Office, Western Australia (2016–2017)
Professional Affiliations
- The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2019–present)