Clayton Utz Senior Consultant Michael Klug resolved to turn his passion for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) into something constructive.
Michael was one of six senior lawyers recognised for 50 years of Queensland Law Society (QLS) membership at the Celebrate, Recognise, Socialise event in Brisbane on Thursday night.
He was also one of five lawyers who founded Lawyers Engaged in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LEADR), now the Resolution Institute. He was an original Director of the Australasian Disputes Centre. He has served on numerous ADR committees and organisations nationwide.
“I was always interested in ADR and was one of five lawyers who founded LEADR. I was the only Queensland-based lawyer in that group,” Michael said. “The fact that I was awarded an Order of Australia for my work in this area was an unexpected bonus.”Â
Michael said he quickly became interested in negotiation.
“I was a litigator and over 90 per cent of cases settled, yet we were never taught how to settle,” he said.
“I was lucky as my firm sent me to Harvard five times, Insead in France and Northwestern University in Chicago to learn about this topic, which then morphed into my specialty.”
In recognition of his significant service to the law in the field of alternative dispute resolution, Michael was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2014.
“I think the fact that I am still working after 50 years post admission means that I love what I do. I’ve been with Clayton Utz and its predecessors for 47 years which gives me great pleasure.
“My father was friendly with Viv Milne who became a District Court Judge. He loved the law and encouraged me to study law. “
Michael graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws in 1971 and was admitted in 1973. He is currently a Senior Consultant at Clayton Utz having previously served as Managing Partner of Clayton Utz Brisbane from 2006-2011.
Throughout his career Michael has held a range of public and corporate positions. He is a Past President of the Brisbane Club and former Chairman of Queensland Rail and Autism Queensland. He is also a past part-time Law Reform Commissioner with the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
Fellow alumni and QLS Accredited Mediator Brian Bartley has also contributed to the field of ADR, and received a 50-year membership pin last night. 
Brian Bartley with his certificate.
Brian has been a Member of the QLS Alternative Dispute Resolution committee, Member of the QLS Ethics Committee (including two years as Committee Chair) and Member of the QLS Law Claims Committee.
Brian completed degrees in arts and law at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1972. He was admitted as a solicitor in Queensland in February 1973.
He began his career at Chambers McNab & Co, which became Chambers McNab Tully & Wilson and then Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
In 2000, Brian left Corrs and established Brian Bartley & Associates, now known as Bartley Cohen Litigation Lawyers. He remains with the firm as a Consultant.
Brian has developed practice in professional indemnity litigation and has acted in solicitors’ negligence claims and disciplinary proceedings for more than 30 years. He has also acted for diverse local and national clients in general litigation.
He also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Queensland.
Brian has held a variety of board and committee appointments including Chair of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra from 2013-2022 and member of the Royal Women’s Hospital Foundation Board.
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