Professor Michael Adams

Biography

Professor Michael Adams is a specialist in Australian corporate law and international corporate governance. Michael has expertise in financial services regulation, information governance, consumer protection and the broader area of legal technology. Professor Adams is the Academic Dean of the University of New England Law School and from 2007 to 2017 Dean of Law at Western Sydney Law School. He teaches, writes and presents regularly on these topics, as well as a major media commentator. He has published 12 books, 37 chapters, >120 articles and presented at >300 conferences/seminars in the last 30 years. Professor Adams’ has degrees in accounting/economics and law, with postgraduate studies at University College London; he is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators; the Governance Institute of Australia [FGA/FGIA(Life)] and the Australian Academy of Law; Member of Resolution Institute. He was the UTS Professor of Corporate Law and Perpetual Trustees Australia chair of Financial Services Law. 2001 National President of Governance Institute of Australia and served on the ICSA International Professional Standards Committee.  He has been a consultant to national law firm Ashurst and currently, Coleman Grieg Lawyers. Director of GIA, charities Freedom Hub Ltd, ACOM theological college; and the Advisory Board of Information Governance ANZ; previously director of the Australian Pro Bono Centre; and the Australian Academy of Law. Former President of the Australasian Law Academics Association; the Society of Corporate Law Academics and deputy chair of the Australian Council of Law Deans. In 2020 named Academic Lawyer of the Year by Lawyers Weekly in the 20^th Australian Law Awards. 2000 Australian University Teacher of the Year in “Law and Legal Studies” and in 2005, recipient of the Governance Institute President’s Award and later made a Life member of both ALTA and the Governance Institute.

Qualifications

• LLM University of London
• BA Council for National Academic Awards

Awards

• Australian University Teacher of Law and Legal Studies 2000-12-01

Publications

Books

• Adams, M. (2005), 'Essential Australian Corporate Law', : Cavendish Publishing 187690528X.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Applied Corporations Law', : Chartered Secretaries Australia .
• Adams, M. (2001), 'Essential Management Law', : Cavendish Publishing 1876213302.

Chapters in Books

• Adams, M. (2006), 'National Scheme', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Preparation and Content of the Constitution', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Alteration of the Constitution', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Office, Name, Books', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Officers', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Exercise of Company Powers & Meetings', Australian Corporation Practice, LexisNexis/Butterworths 0409304352.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Alternative business structures', Business, Law & Society, Thomson Nelson 0170121399.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Agency', Business, Law & Society, Thomson Nelson 0170121399.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Business failure', Business, Law & Society, Thomson Nelson 0170121399.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'The modern corporation', Business, Law & Society, Thomson Nelson 0170121399.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Partnership', Business, Law & Society, Thomson Nelson 0170121399.
• Adams, M. (2003), 'The Attraction of Good Corporate Governance', Strengthening Commercial Laws in the APEC Region 26, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 0975148605.

Journal Articles

• Adams, M., Borsellino, G. and Young, A. (2017), 'Regulating conduct of financial institutions in Australia : is culture the new frontier of regulation?', Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation, vol 32, no 3 , pp 86 - 92.
• Adams, M., Borsellino, G. and Young, A. (2017), 'Leading from the top : the missing piece in nurturing good corporate culture?', Governance Directions, vol 69, no 4 , pp 203 - 206.
• Adams, M., Borsellino, G., McCalman, J. and Young, A. (2017), 'Australia's proposed Banking Executive Accountability Regime : regulatory panopticon or fail-safe?', Governance Directions, vol 69, no 9 , pp 528 - 531.
• Adams, M. (2016), 'Contemporary case studies in corporate governance failures', Governance Directions, vol 68, no 6 , pp 335 - 338.
• Adams, M. (2015), 'Board diversity : more than a gender issue?', Deakin Law Review, vol 20, no 1 , pp 123 - 152.
• Adams, M. and Borsellino, G. (2015), 'Is there a positive link between corporate governance and board diversity? : lessons from Asia', Journal of Law and Governance, vol 10, no 1 , pp 1 - 10.
• Adams, M. and Borsellino, G. (2015), 'The unspoken reality of diversity on boards', Governance Directions, vol 67, no 2 , pp 78 - 81.
• Adams, M. and Young, A. (2013), 'Scheme of arrangement for creditors in Hong Kong : enhancing Hong Kong's scheme and lessons from Australia', International Corporate Rescue, vol 10, no 4 , pp 233 - 239.
• Adams, M. (2013), 'Leighton's character, complexities and conflicts', Keeping Good Companies, vol 65, no 11 , pp 676 - 679.
• Adams, M. (2012), 'Global trends in corporate governance', Keeping Good Companies, vol 64, no 9 , pp 516 - 520.
• Nehme, M. and Adams, M. (2012), 'Section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law and environmental issues', Bond Law Review, vol 24, no 1 , pp 30 - 59.
• Adams, M. (2012), 'Lessons for non-executive from James Hardie litigation', Keeping Good Companies, vol 64, no 5 , pp 263 - 265.
• Adams, M. and Nehme, M. (2011), 'No new specific legislation required to deal with 'greenwashing'', Keeping Good Companies, vol 63, no 7 , pp 419 - 422.
• Adams, M. (2011), 'Latest developments in officers' duties of SMEs', Journal of Business Systems Governance and Ethics, vol 6, no 3 , pp 31 - 42.
• Klettner, A., Clarke, T. and Adams, M. (2010), 'Corporate governance reform : an empirical study of the changing roles and responsbilities of Australian boards and directors', Australian Journal of Corporate Law, vol 24, no 2 , pp 148 - 176.
• Adams, M. (2010), '20 year snap-shot of the developments in the regulation of small corporations', Journal of Business Systems, Governance and Ethics, vol 4, no 4 , pp 7 - 22.
• Adams, M. (2009), 'How important is the 2009 James Hardie decision', Keeping Good Companies, vol 61, no 5 , pp 290 - 294.
• Adams, M. and Nehme, M. (2009), 'Australian overregulation? - effect on directors' liability', Keeping good companies, vol 61, no 2 , pp 94 - 97.
• Adams, M. (2008), 'Officers' duties : are we keeping up with changes', Keeping Good Companies, vol 60, no 6 , pp 344 - 346.
• Nehme, M. and Adams, M. (2008), 'E-learning in corporate law : the value-add of online resources', Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association, vol 1, no 1-2 , pp 21 - 32.
• Nehme, M., Hyland, M. and Adams, M. (2007), 'Enforcement of continuous disclosure: The use of infringement notice and alternative sanctions', Australian Journal of Corporate Law, vol 21, no 2 , pp 112 - 134.
• Klettner, A., Clarke, T. and Adams, M. (2007), 'Balancing act - the tightrope of corporate governance reform', Keeping Good Companies, vol 59, no 11 , pp 648 - 653.
• Nehme, M. and Adams, M. (2007), 'The active use of enforceable undertakings by ASIC - Part 1', Keeping Good Companies, vol 59, no 5 , pp 260 - 262.
• Nehme, M. and Adams, M. (2007), 'The active use of enforceable undertakings by ASIC - Part 2', Keeping Good Companies, vol 59, no 6 , pp 326 - 328.
• Adams, M. and Young, A. (2007), 'Regulating corporate governors: rethinking board responsibilities and liabilities', Keeping Good Companies, vol 59, no 1 , pp 11 - 17.
• Adams, M., Young, A. and Nehme, M. (2006), 'Preliminary Review of Over Regulation in Australian Financial Services', Australian Journal of Corporate Law, vol 20, no 1 , pp 1 - 24.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Do we need dual regulators in financial services? Synergies in establishing a single regulator', Keeping Good Companies, vol 58, no 3 , pp 206 - 213.
• Adams, M. (2006), 'Insider trading has many points of view', Compliance and Regulatory Journal, , pp 10 - 11.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Officers' duties under the microscope', Keeping Good Companies, vol 57, no 9 , pp 516 - 519.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Lessons from HIH Insurance: the final verdict', Butterworths Corporations Law Bulletin, vol 179 , pp 8 - 10.
• Adams, M. (2004), 'Whether to protect or punish: legal consequences of contravening the Corporations Act', Keeping Good Companies, vol 56, no 10 , pp 592 - 598.
• Adams, M. and Hargovan, A. (2004), 'Taking corporate governance seriously during fundraising: exposure to personal liability for cost orders', Company and Securities Law Journal, vol 22, no 5 , pp 336 - 340.
• Adams, M. (2004), 'The power of penalties in financial services', Butterworths Corporations Law Bulletin, vol 536 , pp 6 - 8.
• Adams, M. (2003), 'Has the role of the Company Secretary changed: how can one person get across it all', Keeping Good Companies, vol 55 , pp 469 - .
• Adams, M. (2003), 'Duty of the Chair - Dynamic, Divergent or Diverse', Butterworths Corporate Practice Handbook, .
• Adams, M. and Hargovan, A. (2003), 'Cost orders:a new wave of liability for the company secretary', Keeping Good Companies, vol 55, no 11 , pp 644 - 646.
• Adams, M. (2003), 'Are all directors created equal', Keeping Good Companies, vol 55, no 4 , pp 204 - 208.
• Adams, M. (2003), 'The three pillars of good corporate governance', Risk Management, vol 1, no 1 , pp 8 - 10.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'The convergence of international corporate governance systems - where is Australia heading? Part 1', Keeping Good Companies, vol 54, no 1 , pp 14 - 21.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'The convergence of international corporate governance systems - where is Australia heading? Part 2', Keeping Good Companies, vol 54, no 2 , pp 82 - 87.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'The convergence of international corporate governance systems - where is Australia heading? Part 3', Keeping Good Companies, vol 54, no 3 , pp 144 - 147.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Does increasing criminality make for better reform of the financial services industry', Australian Journal of Corporate Law, vol 14, no 2 , pp 202 - 213.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Financial sector reform and professional advice', Commercial Law Quarterly, vol 16, no 3 , pp 20 - 26.

Conference Papers

• Adams, M. (2005), 'The governance professional's role in delivering effective directors and officers' insurance', 22nd National Conference of the Chartered Secretaries Australia (the kaleidoscope of governance), Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Sons of Gwalia: where to from here', Commercial Lawyers Association Seminar, Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Governance guidelines and regulation', Annual Governance Masterclass Conference of the Chartered Secretaries Australia (Debate, develop and deliver practical application), Sydney.
• Adams, M., Barrett, P. and Spring, J. (2005), 'Championing governance as a business strategy', Public Sector Governance Forum of the Chartered Secretaries Australia, Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Legal developments in the financial management industry', Past, Present and Future in Investment Management conference, Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Australian Corporate Governance: Lessons from HIH Insurance', Australasian Law Teachers Association Annual Conference, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Avoiding the courtroom: How did I get here', Australian Society of Association Executives National Conference, Victoria.
• Adams, M. (2005), 'Reflections on Legal Education and Developments in Technology for Lawyers', LAWASIA downunder 2005 conference, Queensland.
• Adams, M., Bradley, G., Ward, M., Bush, F. and Standen, M. (2004), 'Hypothetical: board behaviour and the 21st century governance professional', 21st National Conference of the Chartered Secretaries Australia (the evolution of the governance professional), Queensland.
• Adams, M., Orkopoulos, M., Daly, M., Higginson, P. and Buduls, A. (2004), 'Dealing with the reality: governance and board processes in a public and political environment', Public Sector Governance Forum of the Chartered Secretaries Australia, Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'To mislead or not to mislead? What was the question in financial services', Blake Dawson Waldron Financial Services conference, Sydney.
• Adams, M., Barker, D. and Lancaster, J. (2002), 'Business Law and Ethics - does it have a future', ALTA annual conference, Western Australia.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'International Corporate Governance: Is there a single framework that works', Risk e-Business - Control IT , 50th Institute of Internal Auditors - Australia, South Pacific and Asia Conference, Sydney.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Does increasing criminality make for better reform of the financial services industry', Corporate Law Teachers Association annual conference, Melbourne.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Australian Corporate Governance: The impact of directors' duties through collapses', LHC506 Corporate Governance: Wealth, Power and Responsibility, USA.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'How has the financial services industry being reformed by the growth in technology', ALTA conference Tradition and Change in Law: Old paths new directions, Vanuatu.
• Adams, M. (2002), 'Where are corporate governance statements going', 51st Annual Reporting Awards conference, Victoria.
• Adams, M. (2001), 'Can technology help you to teach better', 11th annual Corporate Law Teachers Association conference, Melbourne.
• Adams, M. (2001), 'How will the internet continue to change the role of the corporate lawyer', Australian Corporate Lawyers Association conference (The State of Play), Sydney.

Other Publications

• 2011, 'Developing a Responsive Regulatory System for Australia's Small Corporations', Research Report
• 2007, 'Submission to the Commonwealth Treasury: Review of Sanctions in Corporate Law: Consultation Paper', Research Report

Memberships

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law (2007)
• Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (2013)

External Profiles

• Google Scholar Profile
• ORCid Profile
• LinkedIn Profile

Further Information

Previous Projects