Michael Rodrigues is the Founder and Principal of Rodrigues Legal Group. He is an Australian litigation lawyer, accredited mediator, Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Independent Children’s Lawyer.
Michael advises and represents clients in complex family law, domestic and family violence, criminal, estate, commercial and cross-border disputes. His experience includes matters involving substantial asset pools, businesses, companies and trusts, contested evidence, urgent court applications, allegations of risk to children, and disputes carrying significant financial, personal or strategic consequences.
Complex Family Law and Child-Related Proceedings
Michael acts in complex parenting and property proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. His experience includes disputes involving substantial asset pools, business interests, companies, trusts, disclosure, valuation issues, relocation, international parenting arrangements, child welfare concerns, contested evidence and urgent interim applications.
Michael also accepts appointments as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in parenting proceedings involving entrenched conflict, allegations of family violence or other risks to children, child development concerns, competing expert evidence and complex questions concerning the best interests of children.
He assists clients to identify the issues likely to affect the outcome, understand the available legal and practical options, and adopt a strategy proportionate to the complexity and importance of the matter.
Domestic and Family Violence
Michael acts in domestic and family violence and protection order matters, including proceedings that overlap with parenting disputes, allegations of risk, police involvement and urgent court applications.
He assists clients to understand the interaction between protection order proceedings, parenting arrangements, criminal allegations and related court processes. His experience includes matters requiring prompt assessment of immediate safety concerns, evidence, procedural obligations and the practical consequences of interim and final orders.
Criminal and Related Court Matters
Michael’s litigation experience includes criminal and related court matters involving police investigations, bail, court mentions, hearings, sentencing proceedings and allegations arising alongside domestic violence or family law proceedings.
He provides clear advice about the charges or allegations, the available evidence, procedural requirements, potential consequences and the steps required to prepare the matter properly.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Michael is an accredited mediator and Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. He is also the Founder and Principal Mediator of Beyond the Dispute, his separate mediation practice.
Michael conducts mediations involving family law, parenting, property, commercial, estate and business disputes. His litigation background enables him to understand the legal, financial and personal consequences of unresolved disputes, while his mediation experience assists parties and their legal representatives to examine practical options for agreement.
When engaged as a mediator or Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Michael acts independently and does not act as the solicitor for either party or provide either party with independent legal advice.
Estate and Commercial Disputes
Michael’s broader litigation experience includes estate litigation, contested wills, family provision claims, commercial and business disputes, shareholder disputes, contractual claims and disputes involving companies and trusts.
These matters often require careful analysis of legal rights, financial interests, evidence, litigation risk and the commercial consequences of pursuing or defending proceedings. Michael provides clear advice about the available options, the work required and the practical steps needed to move the dispute forward.
Multi-Jurisdictional Experience
Michael is admitted to legal practice in Australia, New Zealand and Ontario, Canada. His multi-jurisdictional background is relevant to disputes involving international families, overseas parties, foreign assets, relocation, competing jurisdictions and procedural issues extending beyond a single Australian state or country.
Professional Background
Before founding Rodrigues Legal Group and Beyond the Dispute, Michael spent almost a decade as Principal and Managing Partner of My Legal Crunch, a national legal practice. During that period, he led and managed family law, litigation and dispute resolution matters across multiple Australian jurisdictions. His earlier mediation work also included Skip the Conflict Mediation.
That experience developed Michael’s understanding of litigation strategy, legal practice leadership, client service and the practical demands of managing difficult disputes. His current legal practice is conducted through Rodrigues Legal Group, and his separate mediation practice is conducted through Beyond the Dispute.
Areas of Practice
- Complex family law litigation
- High-value property settlements
- Parenting and child-related proceedings
- Independent Children’s Lawyer appointments
- Domestic and family violence and protection order matters
- Criminal and related court proceedings
- Urgent and interim court applications
- Business, company and trust-related disputes
- Cross-border and international family law
- Estate litigation and contested wills
- Commercial litigation and business disputes
- Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
- Appeals and superior court proceedings
Michael’s work is suited to clients and parties who require clear advice, careful preparation and a practical strategy for resolving a difficult dispute.
