Mike is a Partner in Simpson Grierson's Commercial Department, and specialises in infrastructure and technology.  He co-leads the firm's Information and Communications Technology Group, providing advice to users and suppliers in the technology sector, particularly in relation to telecommunications, life sciences, information technology, e-commerce and the commercialisation of technology.

In the telecommunications sector, Mike provides advice on strategic alliances and joint ventures, regulatory issues, interconnection agreements, spectrum auction/acquisition/disposal advice, reseller/distribution, satellite, and major customer contracts, billing system procurement, dark fibre leasing/fibre capacity sharing, and broadband network establishment.  Mike is an expert in outsourcing, particularly network management, repair and maintenance.

Mike advises on information technology issues such as tendering/procurement for suppliers and customers, IT outsourcing, e-portal/website development, software joint ventures, implementation/integration contracts, service level agreements, and technology transfer.  He is a co-author of  An Introduction to E-commerce Law in New Zealand (published by Brookers).

In the infrastructure/utilities sector, Mike's clients include leading companies and public authorities in the telecommunications, electricity, transport and water/wastewater sectors.  He provides advice on issues such as interconnection, regulatory compliance, outsourcing, infrastructural/network development, mergers and acquisitions, the negotiation and drafting of commercial contracts, joint ventures and franchises/concessions.

Mike also has extensive experience as a corporate adviser to the insurance/financial services industries, as well as manufacturers and a variety of engineering and construction companies.  He co-led the New Zealand legal work for the $2.1 billion Promina IPO in 2003.

• Co-generation/windfarm project/contract documents for various clients (2008 - ongoing)
• Northpower's acquisition of Energex's NZ operations (2008)
• Establishment of Barworks joint venture for DB Breweries (2008)
• Kordia's acquisition of Orcon Internet (2007)
• Purchase by Methven of Deva Tap Company (UK) and associated rights issue/institutional placement (2007)
• Manukau Water's purchase of Manukau City Council's water and wastewater assets and undertaking (value approx. $1 billion) (2006)
• Transmission Holdings' (now Kordia's) repair and maintenance services agreement for Broadcast Australia's infrastructure throughout Australia (2006)
• Management buy-out of AW Fraser division of MCK Group Holdings (2006)
• Antipodean Biotechnology's capital raising, establishment of US operations, and phase II of clinical trials agreements for treatment of Parkinson's disease (2005-2006)
• Counties Power's sale of Wired Country broadband division to Compass Communications, and sale of radio spectrum management rights to Telecom (2005)
• Vero Insurance's management agreement with Exposure Management, for establishment of Vero Specialist Risks business unit (2005)
• Promina Group's establishment of AA Life Services, a joint venture between Asteron Life and the Automobile Association (2005)
• Methven's IPO and listing on the NZX (2004)
• (Deutsche Post-owned) DHL's 50:50 joint venture with New Zealand Post (2004)
• Agreement for Connex to manage Auckland’s passenger rail services (2004)
• Promina’s $2.1 billion IPO (2003)
• Acquisition by United Water of Anglian Water (New Zealand) (2004)
• Acquisition of Autosure by Vero (2004)
• Contracts for purchase of bulk water/wastewater services by all of the Auckland region’s water and wastewater operators from Watercare Services (1999-2005)