Michael Gorton AM

None

Consultant

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce, Honorary Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Honorary Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

P: +61 3 9609 1625

E: mgorton@rk.com.au

Connect with me on Linkedin

Aged Care
Health
Government
Not-for-Profit

Commercial Agreements
Governance
Corporate Advisory
Commercial Advice
Regulatory Compliance

Michael is an experienced commercial lawyer with a focus on the health sector. Michael's clients benefit from his practical and commercial approach. Through his association with peak industry bodies and his position on numerous boards, Michael keeps abreast of developments in his area of practice and is often asked to address public and private companies and government and non-government organisations.

Michael was named Best Lawyers’ 2024, 2021 and 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” for Health and Aged Care Law. He has also been recognised by Best Lawyers since 2014 for expertise in Health and Aged Care Law, Corporate/Governance Practice, and Non-Profit/Charities Law.

Experience

Providing commercial, contract law and mergers and acquisitions advice for corporate businesses
Advising on corporate and clinical governance matters
Acting for a range of public and private companies and businesses and for a number of government and non-government organisations
Advising and acting for the health sector, including in relation to the regulation of health professionals, complaint handling (Ahpra/Health Services Commissioner), advising on medico-legal issues and other administrative and regulatory claims
Chairing the Expert Panel to review the Health Services Commissioner's legislation and has written extensively on medico-legal matters
Providing expert advice to medical organisations and health related bodies in relation to health research projects, privacy, qualified privilege and other commercial issues
Advising not-for-profit organisations (including large peak bodies) on major constitution reforms
Advising State and Local Government on a range of information technology procurements

Leadership

President of the Board of Directors, Wellways Australia
Chair, Peninsula Health
Former Chair, Alfred Hospital
Chair, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Board Member, Latrobe Regional Hospital
Member, Order of Australia
Recognised by Best Lawyers for expertise in Health and Aged Care Law (since 2011), Corporate/Governance Practice (since 2014), and Non-Profit/Charities Law (since 2021)
Recognised by Best Lawyers as "Lawyer of the Year" for Health and Aged Care Law in Melbourne (2024, 2021 and 2013)
Ranked as Preeminent by Doyle's Guide, in the area of Health and Aged Care, Victoria, 2022
Awarded Paul Baker Prize, Law Institute of Victoria
Awarded Pro Bono - Metro Practitioner, Promoting Law in the Public Interest
Awarded Certificate of Service, Law Institute of Victoria
Awarded Outstanding Service, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Former President, Ally Law (previously International Alliance of Law Firms)
Former Board Member, Ambulance Victoria
Former Chair, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Former Board Member, Melbourne Health (Royal Melbourne)
Former Board Member, Melbourne Primary Care Network Board (PHN)
Former Board Member, The Australian College for Emergency Medicine
Former Chair, Ministerial Patient Safety Advisory Committee
Former Deputy Chair and Board Member, Russell Kennedy Lawyers (2011-2017)
Former Chair, Patient Review Panel - Department of Health, Victoria
Former Chair and Board Member, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (1994–1999)(2009–2012)
Former Chair, Victorian Biotechnology Ethics Advisory Committee
Former Chair, Infertility Treatment Authority/Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (2002–2010)
Former National President, Greening Australia (1998–2000)
Former National Secretary and Former Victorian President, United Nations Association of Australia (1980–1990)
Former Inaugural Co-Chair, Reconciliation Victoria Incorporated (2000–2003)