Michael Abbott

Michael Abbott graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Adelaide in 1965 and in 1966 was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

He has appeared in the Supreme Courts of all States and Territories of Australia and was appointed as Queens Counsel in South Australia in 1984. He has held the position of Chairman (past and present) of the Legal Services Commission, Bar Association, ASER Restructuring Committee and Criminal Law Committee of South Australia and acted as Human Rights Observer to the Law Council of Australia.

Michael was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2000 and in 2002 he received the Indo–Australian Award for Meritorious Service to the Bilateral Relationship.

Michael was subsequently awarded an AO (Officer of the Order Of Australia) for his services to the law, the arts and international relations, particularly international cultural relations. He currently acts as an advisor to a number of national and international Corporations and in his current position of Chairman of the Legal Services Commission he is in the process of creating significant changes to enable the organisation to better serve the public and legal profession.

Michael is an enthusiastic promoter of increased cultural contacts between Australia, particularly South Australia and India, Asia and South East Asia. Michael believes that increased cultural contact will not only lead to increased trade but will benefit South Australian Society in every way.