Profile
Mike practices in commercial litigation and dispute resolution and has done so for more than 25 years. He has extensive experience in corporate and commercial litigation across various jurisdictions in both Federal and State Courts, as both solicitor and counsel. He acts for a wide range of clients including corporations, firms and individuals. Mike’s experience provides him with a sound background and understanding of commercial risk. He works closely with clients to achieve commercial and cost effective outcomes.
Mike’s also accepts appointments as an independent lawyer in supervising the execution of search orders.
Mike is a leading insolvency, recoveries and restructuring practitioner. He acts for liquidators, receivers and trustees nationally (and previously abroad) in all aspects of personal and corporate insolvency and restructuring. Mike also acts for directors in defending insolvent trading claims and creditors in respect of preference claims. Mike’s experience in acting for stakeholders on both sides of voidable transaction claims allows him to negotiate with stakeholders to achieve commercial outcomes.
Mike has a keen interest in governance and advises directors on potential liability issues and assists directors in navigating companies in financial difficulties.
Expertise
Recognition
‘Mike Hayes always has an opinion and is happy to share without having to research everything in depth. He thinks on his feet and adapts his style to the required situation.‘
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Restructuring and insolvency, 2020 edition – Testimonials
Accolades
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific – Recommended for Restructuring and insolvency – since 2019 – 2022 editions
- Doyle’s Guide – Recommended for Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – South Australia, 2021 & 2022 editions
- Doyle’s Guide – Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers – South Australia, 2021
Recent deals and media coverage
- Insolvency stats: SA bucking national trend – The Cairns Post, 7 July 2021
- Oil price, interest rate hikes expected to tip companies over the edge – The Daily Telegraph, 8 March 2022
Memberships
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Former Chairperson & Current Member- SA/NT Division Committee, Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association
- Law Council – Business Law Section, Insolvency
- Law Society – Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Federal Court Liaison
- Board Member, Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association
- Deputy Chair, Practitioner Conduct Committee
- Membership Committee
- Board Member, Rugby Union South Australia
- Risk Committee
- Executive, South Australian Rugby Union Referees Association
- Treasurer
- Womens Delegate & Junior Youth Delegate
Insights
08 September 2021
Insolvency – the impact of unreconciled accounts and funds available to a director
Read More27 July 2021
The impact of the Harman undertaking on the use of documents by an “eligible applicant”...
Read More01 November 2020
Litigation cannot proceed as a stalking horse for those who stand behind it … without...
Read More31 March 2020