Michael Russell

Overview

Michael's experience in litigation includes major disputes and class actions across a broad range of areas including shareholders, corporations, investments, competition, consumer and products, professional services, technology and insurance.

Michael spearheads Colin Biggers & Paisley's leading class action defence practice, an area that he has practiced in for more than 15 years. In that time, he has advised on more than 30 class actions and defended a broad range of cases covering securities, investments, private credit, professional negligence, technology, mass tort, employment, insolvency and directors duties.

Michael has particular experience in corporate collapse cases and has defended various company and director claims involving many of the major collapses that have occurred in Australia over the past two decades, including One.Tel, Opes Prime, Lehman Brothers, Babcock & Brown, Banksia Securities, Equititrust, Diploma Limited, Halo Limited, Blue Sky, STA Group, RCR Tomlinson, Dick Smith, Greensill, First Guardian and Shield Master Fund.

Michael has consistently been ranked by various ratings services including Best Lawyers, Doyles and Legal 500. He is regarded as a Global Standout Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Michael regularly presents to commercial and insurance clients on a range of litigation topics and is often asked by the media to provide his opinions in relation to major litigation and class actions. He is the co-author of LexisNexis Practical Guide to Class Actions, co-author of Legal 500's Comparative Guide to Class Actions and sits on the editorial advisory committee of the leading daily publication, Lawyerly. 

Michael holds a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) from the University of Wollongong. He has admitted in 2008 and was elevated to partner in 2015. 

"Frankly, Michael Russell is one of the best lawyers in Australia. I trust him with all of my technically difficult projects, and he is excellent throughout my dealings with him."