Meet Michael Coates

Michael is a Director of Bennett & Philp Lawyers and a key member in the Intellectual Property team. His focus is on endeavouring to resolve disputes for clients at an early stage, avoiding the high cost and time involved in litigation proceedings.

Michael has worked with Tony Bennett in intellectual property matters since Michael started at Bennett & Philp in 2000.  Michael has practiced extensively in both the Federal and State Courts in disputes concerning patent, trademark, misleading or deceptive conduct, copyright and registered designs as well as in other large scale commercial litigation matters.

Michael takes a pragmatic approach to disputes so as to quickly identify the key issues and pressure points so as to bring the dispute to an end as soon as possible.

Michael also practices extensively in industrial relations law and workplace disputes, establishing Bennett & Philp’s employment law practice.  Michael’s experience in industrial relations law is particularly valuable in intellectual property matters involving confidential information and restraints.  Michael provides advice to clients across a range of employment and industrial relations issues, including:

• Contract preparation for employees and independent contractors;
• Workplace policies, procedures and manuals;
• Dismissals and redundancies;
• Human resources advice;
• Workplace disputes;
• Discrimination, bullying and harassment;
• Restraint of trade and breach of confidence; and
• Workplace investigations.