Michael Henderson advises federal, state and local governments, investment companies, major developers and private corporations on significant commercial and industrial projects throughout Western Australia (WA). Michael advises, negotiates and prepares documentation for acquisitions and property disposal, and retail and commercial leasing. He also advises on office, retail and industrial land developments, particularly on shopping centre management and issues arising from the leasing and arrangement of office and retail outlets.

Michael’s practice focuses on property acquisitions and disposals typically involving working with clients from the earliest stages of the transaction, and includes formulating transaction terms, negotiating transaction documentation, undertaking due diligence and contract administration. Michael also regularly acts for major property developers in the development of documentation and systems for deal negotiation from initiation to completion for large-scale new tenancies created in the construction or redevelopment of shopping centres. He also works for significant retail tenants.

Michael deals widely in the leasing of government assets. He is familiar with multiple levels of government and has substantial experience working for government clients in a range of matters including the negotiation and finalisation of lease documents and the development of leasing protocols.

In 2011 Michael was recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading lawyer in his field.

Representative Experience

• Acting for Coles Group in providing ongoing property advice for leasing arrangements for Coles Supermarkets, Target, Officeworks and Liquorland sites in WA.
• Supervising all retail leasing work undertaken in WA for Colonial First State Property Management (CFSPM) regarding two regional shopping centres in WA, both of which underwent extensive expansions. 
• Acting for Brookfield in the leasing of Stage 1 of the Bishops See office development in St. Georges Terrace in central Perth.
• Supervising the retail leasing of the Claremont Quarter shopping centre, a major development project undertaken by Brookfield and Hawaiian.
• Acting for New Star International Property in the due diligence and acquisition of the Alinta Plaza office development in Perth.
• Acting for the public trustee in the acquisition of 553 Hay Street, Perth.
• Acting for several major financial institutions regarding all office and branch requirements in WA.
• Advising AMP on the refurbishment and releasing program for the office tower at 140 St. Georges Terrace, Perth. 
• Supervising all property-related work in WA for Centrelink.
• Acting for the city of Perth regarding complex property transactions involving the city’s diverse property holdings.
• Supervising all leasing work undertaken for the Department of Treasury and Finance (Building Management and Works) in respect of all office documentation. The department deals with all leasing of office accommodations for state government departments.
• Acting for DEXUS regarding the acquisition and disposal of commercial offices, and leasing and management of those offices.
• Providing ongoing advice to Racing & Wagering Western Australia (RWWA, formerly TAB) including complex leasing advice and the renegotiation of the agency agreement. RWWA controls all TAB outlets in WA and has a network of approximately 90 outlets throughout the state.
• Acting as part of the team that worked on the disposal of Great Southern Plantations assets in WA.
• Acting for a China-related, state-owned enterprise in the acquisition of significant agricultural land holdings in WA.