"Turn him to any cause of policy. /
The Gordian knot of it he will unloose. /
- Shakespeare, Henry V
We specialise in negotiating agreements, resolving disputes, and providing expert opinions across a broad range of legal disciplines.
​
We leverage technology to enable an adaptive, flexible, low-overhead model that does not compromise on service.
​​​​
​We primarily provide our services to commercial clients, and private individuals involved in significant legal disputes.
​
We are based in Devonport and routinely provide services to clients throughout the Auckland region and beyond. We are 15 minutes from the CBD by ferry, and are equally comfortable working remotely or coming to you.
​
Michael Moughan
Director /
BA LLB
​
Michael studied law and philosophy at Victoria University of Wellington on a Premier Scholarship (placing in the top ten students in national Scholarship examinations).
​
Michael received his early legal training at boutique public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie working closely with Stephen Franks (ex-Chair of Chapman Tripp) and Rob Ogilvie (ex-General Counsel, Telecom).
​
After going out on his own, Michael assisted a colleague to establish a civil litigation practice in Wellington (appearing as counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court). Michael has developed extensive experience in private practice across a broad range of practice areas and routinely acts as Special Counsel for other law firms on difficult or disputed matters.
A pragmatic approach /
Michael prides himself on having finely tuned commercial, social, and political instincts; and on his ability to relate to people - to understand where they are coming from and what they want.
​
These 'soft skills' weren't developed from behind a desk. They are the product of a diverse range of personal experiences that often involved making mistakes, taking risks, and overcoming adversity.
​​
Michael has rubbed along with people from all walks of life and is as comfortable on a building site as he is in a board room.
​​
Outside of law, Michael is the current Chair of the Devonport Business Association.​​​​​
​​
"You have my commitment that your matter will receive my full attention, and that I will vigorously pursue your interests."
Our Mission /​
Technology such as automation, AI, and other third-party solutions is rapidly changing the shape of legal services by reducing the burden of administration and the need for low-skill legal inputs typically provided by juniors and support staff. Process-driven work has become price competitive.
​
What remains highly valuable are the skills required to solve the "hard problems" of law: problems that require a high degree of technical legal proficiency paired with people skills, judgment,
and an understanding of the wider commercial context.
​
Our mission is to give you direct access to those skills, unbundled, and without unnecessary overheads.
​
When you engage Gordian Legal, you are not paying for expensive offices and unnecessary support staff. Your matter will not be delegated to an inexperienced junior solicitor. ​
Instead, you will receive prompt, attentive, expert service that will give you the edge required for success. ​​​
