About Michelle
Michelle Dixon is a partner in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. She is a highly regarded litigation lawyer, having worked in a wide range of disputes with a particular expertise in corporations matters, competition claims and trusts disputes. Her experience spans both private sector companies and public sector clients, including government departments, state-owned businesses and statutory authorities.
Between 2014 and 2020 Michelle was the firm’s CEO. She also has extensive governance experience as a Non Executive Director. This experience means that she brings a business focused lens to disputes.
Michelle has been listed as a leading litigation lawyer in Best Lawyers each year from 2014. She has also been recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Doyles. In 2015 she was named as one of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. Her leadership as CEO has also been recognised by numerous industry awards.
Experience
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Oz Minerals
Acted in Federal Court proceedings commenced by Zinifex's former shareholders, arising out of its merger with another large Australian mining company, Oxiana. The claims involved allegations of a failure to disclose relevant details of U.S. debt facilities, worth up to US$640 million in contravention of the Corporations Act and ASIC Act.
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Cartel Claim
Successfully defended civil liability proceedings commenced against Lawrence & Hanson Group Pty Ltd by the ACCC for alleged cartel conduct in contravention of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The matter involved multiple parties including two of the largest electrical manufacturers in Australia.
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Cheung Kong Infrastructure Limited (CKI)
Acted for CKI in proceedings against BlueScope Steel Limited and Merrill Lynch International (Australia) Ltd in Federal Court proceedings in NSW for misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to the sale of a mine in New Zealand. The Australian proceedings involved applications for a permanent stay, as well as anti-suit injunctions.
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Consumer Protection
Acted for Australia’s regulator of the .au domain name space in numerous consumer protection proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.
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Dispute resolution & litigation
Investigations and advice for a major Australian corporation in relation to claims against former directors. Investigations included tracing funds through offshore investment trusts
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Dispute resolution & litigation
Acted in the defence of a class action brought on behalf of more than 800 residents’ in group action claims of negligence and nuisance arising from landfill gas migration from a closed landfill.
News
Maddocks appoints next CEO
Maddocks has appointed David Newman as the firm’s next Chief Executive Officer.
New scholarship to honour trailblazing Asian lawyer
William Ah Ket Scholarship is open to all qualified lawyers with no more than five years post admission experience
Legal Insights
Doing Business in Australia
Maddocks works with global clients wanting to invest into Australia, as well as Australian clients investing overseas
Can the Commonwealth terminate a contractual licence contrary to express terms?
The doctrine of executive necessity does not relieve the Commonwealth from contractual obligations
Partner
Melbourne