OUR LEGAL TEAM

Michael Anderson

28 years of award-winning experience makes Michael Anderson a trusted advisor for registered clubs and large corporations. His comprehensive corporate background before starting his own firm 13 years ago includes the following roles:

• Group Commercial Manager and General Counsel at Mounties Group
• General Counsel at Echo Entertainment Group (formerly Tabcorp Casinos Division)
• Senior Legal Counsel at David Jones
• Legal Adviser Asia-Pacific for BOC

Michael is an ACAMS Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, combining deep industry knowledge with recognised AML/CTF credentials — giving clients both practical commercial experience and certified regulatory expertise.

Michael's passion is providing clients with exceptional legal service that goes beyond the ordinary. He's known for:

• Practical commercial advice tailored to your specific needs
• Skilled negotiation that secures favourable outcomes
• Keen eye for critical issues ensuring nothing gets overlooked
• Deal-closing ability that gets things done efficiently
• Ensuring compliance and quality regulatory relationships.

His dedication shone when he was named Australian Corporate Lawyer of the Year in 2009-10 and holds ACAMS Certification as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. Contact Michael today for legal expertise you can trust, delivered with a personal touch.

Costa Bakoulis

Costa brings a unique combination of industry experience to the firm’s registered clubs and hospitality practice. Having completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Notre Dame, Costa applies his knowledge of corporate and commercial law, and practical experience working in registered clubs, to assist registered club clients with licensing, commercial, corporate, governance, compliance, and regulatory matters.Prior to entering legal practice, Costa spent more than a decade in executive management of hospitality venues within registered clubs and hotels. His background gives him a practical understanding of the operational and regulatory challenges faced by clubs and hospitality organisations, enabling him to deliver advice that is both legally robust and commercially pragmatic.Outside of his professional pursuits, Costa has played football at both National Premier League (multiple tiers) and Illawarra Premier League levels for teams such as Sydney University, APIA, Inner West Hawks, and Wollongong Olympic, and has represented and captained the New South Wales team in Futsal, experiences that reflect his leadership, teamwork, and competitive spirit. 

Natalie Michels

With more than 23 years of comprehensive legal experience, Natalie serves as Executive Assistant/Paralegal at Elite Legal and Advisory. Her extensive expertise encompasses commercial law, commercial litigation, and property and business conveyancing matters.Natalie has provided specialised support to registered clubs across a broad range of legal matters, including amalgamations, catering agreements, lease arrangements, loan documentation, licensing requirements, and constitutional matters, along with various other regulatory and compliance needs.Her dedication to providing exceptional legal support, combined with her wealth of practical experience, makes Natalie an integral part of the Elite Legal and Advisory team.

Ruby Easton

Ruby combines academic excellence with practical experience as she builds her legal career. Currently completing her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies (Spanish) at the University of Technology Sydney, Ruby brings analytical skills and attention to detail to legal practice.Her professional background in bookkeeping and customer service has developed her understanding of commercial operations and compliance requirements. Ruby has experience managing complex financial documentation, creating streamlined processes, and working effectively under pressure.Having achieved an ATAR of 98.50, Ruby's academic excellence combined with her practical commercial experience positions her to provide comprehensive legal support as she develops her expertise in corporate and commercial law.