International insolvency expert Michael Makridakis joins Taylor David

Leading financial services, insolvency, and restructuring law firm Taylor David has bolstered its capacity to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional matters, with Michael Makridakis joining the firm as a Partner.

Michael brings more than 20 years’ experience in insolvency, restructuring, and commercial litigation, including over 15 years in the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong. His clients have included large international investment funds and corporations listed on various global stock exchanges. Michael will practice Australian law for Taylor David but will bring his international experience to bear in an increasingly global business environment.

Taylor David Founding Partner Scott Taylor said it’s a real coup for the firm to welcome Michael to the team.

“It’s extremely rare for someone of Michael’s calibre to return to Australia after so long working internationally, so we are delighted to welcome him to Taylor David,” Mr Taylor said.

“His experience in dealing with complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions is second to none and gives him a real edge in managing issues involving cross-border matters, ensuring all parties receive fair representation.

“Too often smaller shareholders and independent directors are on the losing end of hostile takeovers – that’s where Michael’s expertise counts in providing advice regarding cross-border insolvencies, distressed/contentious investment fund issues, shareholders’ rights and remedies, directors’ duties and other related disputes.”

Mr Makridakis said he is looking forward to helping businesses around Australia navigate potentially tricky international challenges.

“My work overseas in the past two decades provided me with an invaluable opportunity to work with leading lawyers in large commercial litigation cases, as well as insolvency practitioners in globally significant corporate restructurings and liquidations,” Mr Makridakis said. 

“I have worked with many companies and their shareholders, helping them to navigate often complex corporate governance issues and relations with shareholders.  I look forward to sharing my experiences in this area with clients in the local market.”

“I am excited to be back in Australia and offer my services alongside the rest of the Taylor David team relating to all insolvency, asset recovery, liquidation matters, and related commercial litigation disputes.

“The firm already has strong links to Australia's mining and resources sectors. I look forward to working with existing clients and expanding our offer to businesses dealing with complex issues in an increasingly international marketplace.”

About Taylor David

Taylor David is an Australian law firm specialising in financial services that serves SMEs, large corporations and governments. The firm deals with challenging, multifaceted issues globally using an innovative approach to create tailored solutions to their clients’ most complex reconstructions and disputes.

Unique to other practices, many of its staff are dually qualified accountants and lawyers with specialist postgraduate qualifications in restructuring and insolvency.

Taylor David has been recognised as a leading insolvency and restructuring firm every year since 2019 by Doyles Guide which is an independent organisation that ranks law firms based on interviews with clients, peers and relevant industry bodies. The firm was also recognised in the “2025 Best Lawyers Australia” list, named in the top two per cent for Insolvency and Reorganisation law.

About Michael

Michael Makridakis became a Partner at Taylor David from the start of the current financial year, after 9 months as a consultant. He retains his established links as a consultant to Appleby Global, through its Hong Kong office.