Michael Pelosi

Michael has over 29 years’ experience advising international corporate clients and government departments in complex commercial and cross border transactions, international arbitrations and litigation relating to; financial instruments, investment agreements, infrastructure and construction projects, joint venture projects, real estate development and financing, corporate governance and regulatory investigations.

Michael has advised and guided multi-national and corporate clients from a diverse range of industries, including financial services, construction, energy and infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, telecommunications, insurance and hospitality.

During his 5 year appointment as a senior lawyer in Enforcement with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Michael investigated and prosecuted a number of high profile company directors, managers, auditors and liquidators for offences relating to corporate fraud, breaches of director’s duties, financial market manipulation, stock market listing breaches, insider trading and fraudulent transactions, including a number of enforcement actions against fund managers and the promoters and management of collective investment funds.

• Advised domestic and international companies in the establishment and operation of commercial ventures, including the formation, dissolution, merger and acquisition of corporations, unit trusts and partnerships, regulatory requirements and compliance including director’s duties, and the establishment of commercial, financial and joint venture agreements, and agency, distribution, consultancy and professional service agreements
• Advised domestic and international companies in the requirements for the making of public tender offers, including government tenders, the effect and operation of tender contracts, and advising, negotiating and finalising of contracts for the preferred tender applicants;
• Advised major national and international construction companies and contractors on significant infrastructure and construction projects, providing expert advice to boards and directors during protracted negotiations and disputes;
• Matters extend to external disputes arising from infrastructure projects, developments, financing agreements, disputes with parent boards, claims for damages, profit sharing deeds, performance bonds, contract breaches and Security of Payment Act claims;
• Example cases include: representing a multinational dredging company contracted to a multibillion-dollar Liquid Natural Gas project in a contractual dispute with the principal;

• Asset finance
• Banking
• Capital markets: Debt
• Capital markets: Derivatives
• Capital markets: Equity
• Capital markets: High yield
• Competition
• Covered bonds
• Financial restructuring
• Financial services regulatory
• Investment funds
• M&A
• Private equity
• Project bonds
• Project finance
• Real estate funds
• Restructuring and insolvency
• Structured finance/securitisation
• Trade finance

• Banking
• Financial services
• Investment management
• Social infrastructure
• Technology and telecommunications

• Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bond University Australia, 1993
• Diploma in Legal Practice, College of Law, 1994

• Member, Law Society of New South Wales
• Member, Society of Construction Law Australia

• Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, 1994
• Admitted to the High Court of Australia