Michael Lake

He supports clients - such as principals, contractors and financiers - involved in the delivery of major projects in Australia, and beyond. Michael has gained experience on a broad range of projects, including infrastructure (rail, road, hospital, school and prison projects), energy and energy transition (including wind, solar, battery, energy terminal, water treatment and mining projects) and large-scale commercial and residential developments. 

Michael is a construction law specialist, having practiced in this area since he started his career. As a go-to strategic advisor, he often gets involved early during project delivery to support managing complex claims and issues before disputes emerge and to build a strategy based on the client’s objectives. He regularly advises on issues around defects and performance, variations, extensions of time and liquidated damages, and performance security under various delivery models. He has particular expertise managing issues and disputes on PPPs and under EPC arrangements.  

With significant experience resolving large and complex disputes by litigation and arbitration, and by less formal processes like expert determination, mediation, and negotiation, Michael has a particular focus on considering the most efficient and effective means for resolving a dispute. Michael also has experience acting on statutory security of payment adjudication.

Background

Michael has completed a Master of Construction Law (University of Melbourne). Before that, he completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (both at the University of Auckland).

He is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.