Michael Rivette

• Commercial Law
• Intellectual Property

Michael Rivette is recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts in privacy law, breach of confidence, data security, and privacy litigation. He has played a formative role in the development of the law in this area, notably as counsel in Giller v Procopets (2008) 24 VR 1—a landmark case in Australian privacy jurisprudence.

Michael has appeared in many of the country’s most significant privacy matters, including the Theiss Class Action, Medibank Class Actions, Evans v Health Administration [2019] NSWSC 1781 and Privacy Commissioner v Telstra (2017) 249 FCR 24.  He regularly advises corporations, government agencies, and regulators on privacy compliance, cybersecurity risk, and data breach response and litigation.  He also represents a wide range of individuals, including international public figures and celebrities, in complex and sensitive matters.

He is the Australian co-author of two leading international texts: The Law of Privacy and the Media (Tugendhat and Christie, OUP) and Remedies for Breach of Privacy (Hart Publishing). His article Privacy Class Actions (2020) 94 ALJ 791 is regarded as a significant contribution to the development of class action jurisprudence in privacy law. He has also published widely in journals such as the Australian Law Journal, Privacy Law Bulletin, Media and Arts Law Review, and Intellectual Property Forum.

Michael is a Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School, where he teaches Privacy Law in the Master of Laws (LLM) program and contributes to teaching in media, IP, and commercial law. He is regularly invited to speak at conferences and legal seminars throughout Australia. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Media and Communications Law and the Editorial Board of the Privacy Law Bulletin (LexisNexis).

He is recognised in leading legal directories including:

• Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Privacy and Data Protection (2020)
• Best Lawyers: Leading Lawyer – Privacy and Data Protection (2019–2025)
• Doyles Guide: Leading Barrister – Technology, Media & Telecommunications (2019)
• Doyles Guide: Leading Barrister – Intellectual Property (2018)

Michael also brings over 25 years of hands-on commercial experience to his practice as an owner, director, and board member across media, communications, and technology businesses. Actively involved in the tech, IT and communications sectors, he offers clients practical, commercially focused advice grounded in real-world business insight.

Michael is known for his strategic thinking, collaborative style, and clear, solutions-oriented advocacy—qualities that continue to underpin long-term client relationships and trusted referrals.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.