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Quality and consistency through collaboration

Sparke Helmore Lawyers is pleased to welcome Michelle Taylor, who will be working across our Government and Commercial Insurance teams.

An accomplished lawyer with more than 25 years' experience as a litigator, Michelle specialises in maritime and transport law. She has been recognised internationally for her extensive shipping experience and of casualty and pollution matters in particular. Michelle's casualty experience includes some of the most significant maritime incidents in Australian and New Zealand waters in recent years.

Michelle has more than a decade of working with Commonwealth Government, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Department of Defence. She was recently invited to contribute to the Commonwealth Government's consultation on the Wreck Removal Convention.

With exceptional skill in marine insurance, including hull, liability, pollution, cargo and transit claims, Michelle has been at the forefront of drafting insurance policy wordings for the Australian and London markets.  She has significant expertise in admiralty practice as well as maritime related disputes in the Asia Pacific region. 

Her depth of knowledge in relation to the road transport industry is extensive, with Michelle being involved with the defence of many high-profile prosecutions under chain of responsibility legislation, including the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

National Managing Partner Phillip Salem said, “I am excited that Michelle has decided to join Sparke Helmore.  Having someone with Michelle’s transport and maritime expertise as part of an already strong and diverse team, is another significant step in enhancing the outstanding solutions and service we offer to our clients.”

Michelle has received market recognition as a leading legal practitioner including:

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific - Leading Lawyer, Shipping 
  • Best Lawyers Australia - Shipping & Maritime Law, Transportation Law, Insurance Law 
  • Doyle's Guide - Leading Admiralty, Maritime & Shipping Lawyer 
  • Legal 500 Asia-Pacific - Transport 

She is the Vice President of the Maritime Law Association of Australia & New Zealand (MLAANZ) and is on the Executive of Australian Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission (AMTAC). Michelle has a Master of Laws in Maritime Law from the University of Queensland.

“I immediately saw the synergies with Sparke Helmore; the culture and the values as well as a shared commitment to exceptional client service. I’m thrilled to join this market-leading firm and am looking forward to adding depth to their offering and value to clients”, said Michelle.

Michelle will be based in Brisbane and brings a team with her.

About Sparke Helmore

We’ve come a long way since our doors first opened in the Hunter in 1882. We’ve had an office in Sydney since the ‘60s and we recently opened our ninth office in Darwin.

We cover six key areas of law – Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Government, Property Environment & Finance, Statutory Lines of Insurance and Workplace – with more than 30 specialised areas of expertise. We’re a truly national, full service and proudly Australian firm that delivers results through deep collaboration with our clients. Wherever our clients need us, that’s where we’ll be.

Covering a big country needs a big team—we’re more than 850 people now and still growing. And in true Australian spirit, we’re friendly, approachable and easy to work with. And when you work with one of us, you get the expertise of all of us.

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