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Having initially qualified and practised as a lawyer in the early 1980’s, Michael spent several years working in non-legal roles, mainly in the financial services sector, before returning to private practice in 1992. He is a Corporate partner, member of the firm’s Financial Services Group and currently sits on the firm’s management Board.

In addition to Michael’s wide-ranging corporate practice, he has particular expertise in the financial services sector. In recent years, Michael has advised Mellon on its acquisition of Walter Scott & Partners; Lloyds Banking Group on its merger with HBOS; Tesco on the action by West Coast Capital against its subsidiary, Dobbies Garden Centres; and Prudential on its acquisition of Royal London annuities in payment business.

Michael is a member of the Company Law Committee of the Law Society of Scotland and sat on two of the working groups established under the auspices of the Company Law Review Steering Group set up by the Government in 1999 to review UK company law, which subsequently led to the passing of the Companies Act 2006. Michael is also a Reporter to the Court of Session in Scotland in respect of company schemes of arrangement and reduction schemes and insurance and banking business transfer schemes

• AIFM Directive: Light at the End of the Tunnel - November 2010
• Gender as a risk factor and equal treatment for men and women - November 2010
• Investment manager CEO and CFO fined and banned for market abuse and misleading investors - September 2011
• New Act Permits Prosecution of Dissolved Partnerships in Scotland - May 2013
• New UK Stewardship Code - July 2010
• Scottish and English limited partnerships - do you know the facts? - March 2010
• The Financial Services Bill - December 2009