Meet Michael Coates

Michael is a Director and Principal of Bennett & Philp Lawyers.  Since starting with Bennett & Philp in 2000 Michael became a partner in 2006 and, when the firm incorporated, a Director.

Michael practices predominately in the areas of Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation and Industrial Relations (Employment) Law, with a focus on dispute and litigation.

In Intellectual Property matters, Michael worked for many years with Tony Bennett, the founder of Bennett & Philp and well recognised for his expertise and experience in Intellectual Property Litigation. Michael has practised extensively in the Federal and State Courts in disputes concerning patents, trade marks, registered designs, plant breeders rights, copyright, misleading or deceptive conduct and passing off.  Along with his fellow Director in the Intellectual Property Team, Michael Finney, Michael enjoys strong relationships with many Patent and Trade Mark attorneys and has worked closely with them to assist clients to protect and defend their intellectual property rights.

Michael also practices extensively in commercial litigation matters which may or may not have an Intellectual Property flavour.  Michael has been involved in many court actions for his clients concerning contractual breach, equitable securities, contraventions of the Australian Consumer Law (most commonly misleading or deceptive conduct) and restitutionary (unjust enrichment) claims.  A large part of Michael’s dispute and litigation practice concerns Defamation Law where Michael has assisted many clients who have been defamed or have been alleged to have defamed others.

Michael also has exclusive experience in Industrial Relations (Employment) Law.  Having established Bennett & Philp’s Employment Law practice very early in his career, Michael continues to work exclusive in the area along with his fellow Director Lachlan Thorburn.  Michael’s experience in Employment Law is particularly invaluable in the Intellectual Property context in matters involving confidential information, restraints, and development of intellectual property by employees and contractors.

Given that most of Michael’s practice concerns parties in dispute, his concern is to take a pragmatic approach so as to quickly identify key issues and pressure points so as to assist his clients to bring the dispute to a satisfactory resolution as soon as possible, ideally without becoming embroiled in exhaustive and the consuming court action.  However, if court proceedings become necessary or are inevitable, Michael brings formidable experience and track record running such court actions efficiently and effectively.