Michael Cowley

Michael Cowley serves as a Director at Fox and Thomas Business Lawyers with a strong focus on commercial litigation and dispute resolution. With over 25 years of experience, he is a trusted legal advisor in rural legal practice, focusing on South West Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Michael brings extensive expertise in succession and estate planning, business structuring, complex rural transactions, and water law. Throughout his career, Michael has been involved in advising on significant matters such as structuring the purchase of a $40M mixed farming operation to optimise tax management and ensure asset protection and future succession planning. He frequently advises on estate and succession planning for farming families with substantial net wealth and has successfully implemented strategic succession plans that cater to family interests while minimising tax implications. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in Bollon, Michael has an intrinsic understanding of the legal issues faced by his rural clients. His professional journey started after completing his Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Queensland. He began his legal career with AR Coutts and Sons, which later merged with Fox and Thomas, where he became a partner in 2007. Michael is highly recognised in his field and has been acknowledged as a leading agribusiness lawyer in Queensland by Doyle’s Guide. His contributions extend beyond client representation as he frequently presents on rural property topics at state legal conferences. A member of various legal societies, Michael is an approved advisor under the Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Program. Outside his professional commitments, Michael enjoys family life with his wife, Louise, and their three children. He maintains a deep connection to his roots through regular visits to his ancestral family properties in Bollon.