Michael Webster

Full Profile

Michael acts as defence counsel in commercial litigation and has successfully defended a range of companies, directors and professionals (including mining and resources, financial services, engineers and government/statutory authorities). Michael litigates in a range of courts, including the Federal Court of Australia and all state Supreme Courts. Michael also acts directly for private, blue chip businesses in respect of commercial litigation disputes and insurance coverage disputes.

Separately, Michael advises insurers and underwriters on complex insurance coverage issues, including in relation to corporate misconduct, professional negligence, workplace disputes, regulatory proceedings and cyber incidents. Michael is also currently assisting London-based insurers in relation to a major data breach/cyber crime event.

Michael also retains experience in casualty/liability and life insurance, having worked in one of Australia’s largest Plaintiff law firms.

Experience

• Litigation – Acting for a national insurer in Federal Court litigation in respect of a far-reaching trade credit insurance coverage dispute;
   
• Litigation – Acting for an international insurer in respect of 12 litigated proceedings arising out financial services negligence, franchising practices and ACCC action; 
   
• Litigation – Acting for a bluechip company to successfully seize a commercial vessel, obtaining full repayment of a debt plus legal costs;
   
• Litigation – Acting directly for a bluechip construction company in respect of a major construction dispute in the Queensland Supreme Court;
   
• Litigation & Coverage – Acting directly for a large, bluechip company in respect of a significant regulatory investigation and associated insurance coverage issues; 
   
• Coverage – Advising London-based insurers in respect of complex coverage issues arising out of a major cyber incident/data breach;
   
• Coverage – Advising a London-based insurers in respect of a contentious property damage event;
   
• Coverage – Advising a national insurer in respect of fraudulent and non-fraudulent non-disclosure issues arising out of corporate misconduct and phoenix activity;
   
• Coverage – Advised national insurer in respect of a significant ASIC investigation, leading to the insured's withdrawal of the claim; and
   
• Coverage – Advised international insurer in respect of a fraudulent travel insurance claim concerning a serious base jumping accident, leading to a successful declinature.