Areas of practice
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- Business development in the United States of America
- Commercial and business law of the United States of America
- Commercial litigation
- Civil litigation (State and Federal)
- Administrative law
- Criminal law (all areas)
- International Human Rights
Personal memberships
Michael is a keen advocate for victims of human rights violations world wide and in his own private time has represented victims from Africa, the Middle East and Europe various courts and tribunals.
Experience and areas of specialisation
Michael is a former Crown Prosecutor with the South Australian Department of Public Prosecutions.
Between 1996 and 2006 he lived and worked as a lawyer in some of the most dangerous and politically unstable countries in the world. He has now recently returned to Adelaide, but still retains close ties with respected professional associates both in Australia and overseas.
His overseas postings saw him serve as a senior war crimes investigator in Africa with the United Nation Rwanda Crimes Tribunal. Michael subsequently collaborated with famed Australian human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC to bring the first ever claim for compensation against the United Nations by victims of genocide.
From 1999 to 2000 Michael worked as special legal counsel for a member of the United States Congress in Washington DC. There he was given a special insight into the workings of the United States Government and business. From 2000 to 2006 Michael worked as a trial lawyer with a leading plaintiff’s law firm in Atlanta Georgia. The firm specialised in racial law suits, medical malpractice, wrongful death and mass torts. He continues to work with lawyers in the United States on a range of commercial and litigation matters.
In addition to providing general legal services in Adelaide, Michael assists businesses in Australia looking to enter lucrative markets in the United States. With his extensive contact base in the USA, Michael is able to assist Australian businesses with high level support in the United States with financiers, law firms and business and community leaders.
Personal interests
Michael enjoys spending time with his daughter in the country, taking in the state’s magnificent outdoor scenery and lifestyle; including camping, fishing and 4-wheel driving.
Michael also has a keen interest in history, and in particular, studying the lives of former US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his younger brother Senator Bobby Kennedy.
Contact points
Michael Hourigan LL.B., M.Ed, B.Ed
Mobile: 0415 668 732
Email: mhourigan@gropehamiltonlawyers.com.au
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