Michael Gapes
Michael Gapes

Michael Gapes

Partner

About Michael

Michael is a specialist insurance Partner who has advised on professional liability and directors’ and officers’ liability for more than 30 years.

He has worked extensively with the property sector – including representing real estate agents, valuers, surveyors and other property industry participants – and the healthcare sector – including representing doctors, nurses, hospitals, dentists, allied health care professionals and primary health organisations. He has also worked with brokers, accountants and financial advisers.

In addition to representing professionals operating across a broad range of industries on behalf of their insurers, he has defended many insureds before disciplinary tribunals and investigations and has conducted the defence of numerous regulatory proceedings.

Michael also has extensive experience in dealing with directors’ and officers’ liability claims and has been involved in some of the largest and most high-profile claims and class actions in Australia, both as defence and coverage counsel.

He has considerable experience in defending management liability claims (on behalf of corporate insureds and not-for-profit organisations), as well as employment practices liability claims. Michael has also conducted many cyber claims and dealt with claims under environmental liability policies.

Whilst Michael is experienced conducting litigation in courts of all jurisdictions across Australia and regularly appearing in tribunals, he is an advocate for alternative dispute resolution and regularly represents his insurer and insured clients at mediations and arbitrations.

He has previously practiced in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and has held senior in-house roles, including for a Swiss investment bank and a large North American insurer in London.

An active contributor to the insurance and legal industries, Michael regularly provides training and risk management advice to his insurer clients and various industry organisations. He also provides advice on policy drafting and interpretation, as well as best practice advice and compliance with legislation.

Michael is the former Chair of the Queensland Law Society’s Professional Conduct Committee, an active member of the Australian Professional Indemnity Group and the Australian Insurance Law Association.

Michael's areas
of expertise and industry focus

Areas of expertise

Dispute Resolution
& Litigation

Arbitration & Mediation

Dispute Resolution
& Litigation

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Insurance

Insurance

Insurance

Professional Liability

Industry focus

Professional recognition

2021 – 2016

Doyle’s Guide – Leading Queensland Professional Indemnity Lawyer

2021 – 2015

Doyle’s Guide – Leading Queensland Medical Negligence Lawyer (Defendant)

2025 – 2018

Best Lawyers in Australia – Professional Malpractice Litigation

2025 – 2024

Best Lawyers in Australia – Ethics and Professional Responsibility Practice

Latest insights by Michael

Australian Civil Liability Guide (12th edition)

1 August 2023
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Medical Malpractice Gazette (2nd edition)

1 August 2022
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Professional and Management Liability Gazette (9th edition)

1 June 2022
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Property and Real Estate Gazette (5th edition)

1 May 2020
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