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About

Mike graduated LLB from Victoria University, Wellington in 1980. After some years of travel and working in the Public Trust Office he joined Gibson Sheat in 1985, becoming a partner in 1987. He has extensive experience in employment law, general commercial law and trusts.

Mike was head of Gibson Sheat's Employment Law team until 2024 and has specialised in that area of law since 1990. He appears regularly in mediations, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

A career highlight for Mike was in 2006 when he was counsel in the high profile landmark "Lord of the Rings" employment case in the Supreme Court. It was the first case before that court addressing the issue of whether a worker was a contractor or an employee. Mike successfully argued that the appellant was an employee of 3'6" Limited, not an independent contractor.

Mike's community involvement includes:

• Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Board member
• Employment Law sub-committee of the Wellington District Law Society
• Cricket Wellington Code of Conduct Commissioner
• Citizen's Advice Bureau Volunteer.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and children, playing golf, movies, and reading.