Michael Thompson

He/himPartner
Michael is fantastic to deal with, provides great technical expertise, and is really committed to us as a client. We really value him and enjoy working with him.
— Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific 2025
Auckland
About

Michael is a banking and finance lawyer with experience in the Australian, European and New Zealand markets. He advises local and international banks and borrowers on a wide range of domestic and cross-border financings. Michael co-leads our New Zealand Restructuring team.

Michael's areas of focus include property and development finance, acquisition finance, corporate finance and debt restructuring. He has also advised a range of lenders on their obligations under consumer credit laws.

Areas of FocusFinanceRestructuringFinancial Services
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New ZealandSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Michael acts for lenders and borrowers on a range of property and development finance transactions.
  • Michael acts for lenders and borrowers on a range of domestic and international lending transactions (including syndicated and bilateral lending, asset finance, receivables finance and structured leasing arrangements). He has also acted on the restructuring of distressed financings. 
  • Michael has acted for banks, debt funds, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors on a variety of acquisition finance and leveraged finance transactions (including super-senior, senior and mezzanine structures). He has advised on debt-funded public acquisitions by scheme of arrangement (both lender-side and borrower-side). 
  • Michael has advised a number of financial institutions and corporates in navigating their obligations under consumer credit laws. His experience ranges from product development through to remedial action plans.
Languages
  • English

Awards

  • Leading Individual: Banking and Finance, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2021 – 2025
  • Recognised Practitioner: Banking and Finance, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2020
  • Leading Individual: Banking and Finance, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2025
  • Leading Individual: Restructuring and Insolvency, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025
  • Next Generation Lawyer: Banking and Finance, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2017, 2018, 2019 
     
Education
  • University of Auckland, LLB (Hons)
  • University of Auckland, B.Com

Memberships And Affiliations

  • New Zealand Law Society
  • RITANZ
  • INFINZ

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper advises on Yamaha Motor’s acquisition of Robotics Plus

12 March 2025 .3 minute read

Publication

Major reforms to New Zealand Company Law

21 August 2024 .7 minute read

Publication

Lending rule changes a precursor to deregulating CCCFA?

26 April 2024 .4 minute read

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Phone

+64 9 300 3866
(Work, Auckland)
+64 21 245 3008
(Mobile, Auckland)