Michelle Dawson
Clayton Utz
Michelle is a Director in Clayton Utz's Risk Advisory practice, bringing over 17 years of experience in governance, compliance, and risk management within the financial services industry. A qualified solicitor and AICD graduate, Michelle has held senior roles across in-house legal, risk, and compliance functions, as well as legal-adjacent advisory practices. Her expertise spans regulatory change management, large-scale remediation, organisational transformation, and corporate governance.
Michelle is a trusted advisor to senior decision-makers, including boards, CROs, and CCOs, and has a proven track record of delivering strategic solutions to complex regulatory and compliance challenges. She is an effective leader with extensive experience building and managing cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact outcomes for corporates, financial institutions, regulators, and government entities.
Appointed as independent expert and SME under a Federal Court-enforceable undertaking, assessing the systems and controls of a large market intermediary following breaches of the Market Integrity Rules and delivering findings and remediation recommendations to ASIC and the client.
Designed and implemented an end-to-end conduct risk and sales practices program for a large Australian bank, including redrafting its code of conduct and developing a training syllabus and communications strategy.
Delivered an independent review of a global insurer’s governance, accountability, culture and risk management transformation program under an APRA Federal Court-enforceable undertaking.
Designed and delivered a global conduct training program for two major Australian banks to address the requirements of a Federal Court-enforceable undertaking, following BBSW-related regulatory action.
Advised several financial services firms and listed entities on enhancing governance and compliance risk management frameworks, including policies, procedures, controls, monitoring, and reporting.
Created an obligation register of clean energy laws across 30+ jurisdictions for a clean energy intergovernmental organisation, leveraging AI technology to streamline data collection and analysis.
Supported a fintech in preparing for its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange by strengthening governance arrangements and developing risk management frameworks.
Delivered training to boards and senior leadership teams of global asset managers, investment banks, and a digital exchange platform on directors’ duties, emerging risks, and regulatory priorities.
Led a cross-border team in designing governance frameworks and oversight structures for a fast-growing client’s onshore and offshore subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with local regulatory expectations.
Acted as Head of Risk Reporting and Policy Governance for a large superannuation and investments client.