Purpose-led,
results driven
Purpose-led, results driven
We’re passionate in social justice and making the law as simple as possible.
In its mission to get you where you need to go, MPS Law has become a driver of change for purpose-led and commercial clients across Australia and is committed to self-determination for First Nations communities.
Michael Pagsanjan founded MPS Law in 2016 with the goal of providing no nonsense, high quality advice and fighting for what’s right, with clear and cost-effective pricing.
As our firm has continued to rapidly grow, the team’s purpose to provide exceptional, respectful and trusted services have remained the same. This is true whether working with the leaders of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, company CEOs and senior managers, or small business owners.
MPS Law celebrates the success of its clients, developing and maintaining a strong track record and credibility both in the legal industry and wider community across Australia. Among the many achievements large and small so far, MPS Law advised and negotiated the landmark Yamatji Nation settlement that resolved native title compensation, worth over $400 million, and made public at a consent determination on 7 February 2020.
We specialise in our practice areas because we are committed to standing up for what is just.
On behalf of the Mitakoodi people, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and commitment you have shown throughout the journey toward achieving our Native Title Determination. The expertise, hard work, and passion your team invested into our cause have not gone unnoticed and are deeply appreciated by many of our people. Your guidance and advocacy have been instrumental in this significant achievement, and for that, we are sincerely thankful.
MPS Law … have been high quality legal advisors to FPMMAC.
Michael has demonstrated a rare blend of ethical integrity, high competency across the full native title spectrum, commitment to quality outcomes for clients.
MPS Law has shown us patience and respect as we work towards our ambitions to improve community living standards and services, and create opportunity for our young people.
Michael and his team always deliver high quality, value for money services. They build strong relationships with their Traditional Owner clients and work collaboratively with other parties to find innovative solutions and deliver hard won benefits.
Michael consistently delivers an excellent client experience. He is a trusted advisor who brings empathy, pragmatism and a deep understanding of the challenges and complexities of the native title context.
Michael and his team worked intimately with us to prepare the ILSC for our first ever nomination to be a default PBC on behalf of Native Title Holders. This involved lots of complex materials that required interpretation as the ILSC is not a normal PBC, the team at MPS were excellent, professional and committed throughout the process.
MPS Law offer a wealth of experience and professionalism in Native Title, which is always delivered in a culturally safe and respectful manner. Michael Pagsanjan’s expert advice and proactive approach to assisting Traditional Owners involved in complex negotiations has been invaluable, and reflects the firm’s commitment to providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with the highest quality representation.
MPS Law is an innovative legal service, knowledgeable and understanding of Aboriginal cultural protocol…and is committed to achieving [our] goals and future endeavours.
I have found Michael to be very professional, ethical, respectful and collaborative in his approach to achieving outcomes for his clients. Michael brings a practical and pragmatic approach to his advocacy, and is very articulate and well considered in his engagements.
[The] firm’s collegial approach and congenial manner has also, in my view, greatly assisted the parties reach agreement over timetabling and funding issues.
I never cease to be amazed by the drive and inciteful planning with which Michael contributes day after day to the negotiation process, the well-articulated advice he provides to the Traditional Owner Negotiating Team and his skillful advocacy with the State of Western Australia negotiating team and his easy rapport with the Federal Court Judicial Registrar presiding of the Court mediation process related to the claims.
MPS Law has shown an ability to transcend the complexities of State differences in assisting us to navigate an uneven playing field. Widi Mob have no hesitation in recommending MPS Law.
Michael not only displays a good working knowledge of the relevant law, but also relates well to his clients and continues in what are often difficult circumstances maintaining his professionalism in all situations. I would highly recommend MPS Law.
MPS Law is unique in its ability to match quality legal advice, cultural awareness and collaborative lawyering. It is for this reason that I have had no hesitation in referring people to [this] practice.
The product provided by MPS Law has been of a uniformly high quality and delivered on time and on budget. In a niche practise area that is (outside the representative body system) too often exploited by firms and practitioners that lose sight of the purpose of the NTA (as explained in its Preamble) in pursuit of financial gain, MPS Law is a beacon of best practise and propriety.
In my view Michael is a voice of reason in the negotiations. He is always fully prepared, and clearly cognisant of his clients’ instructions, and acting in their best interest. His correspondence and legal submissions are clear and concise, and address issues in a constructive way.
We are impressed with the law firm’s effort so far in getting the desired outcome for all Mualgal… MPS Law core values are those that really captured the Mualgal people’s interest and have stood out.
Central Desert found MPS Law’s services to be highly professional and their understanding of and capacity to engage with the matters at hand to be more than adequate for our needs. MPS Law maintained clear and effective communications, were always available and responded promptly to all contact throughout their brief.
Widi Mob at all times found Michael knowledgeable and professional in his interaction with claimant members through his compassion and strong respect for our culture and connection to our country.
[Michael] has always provided a high quality of work which has always met my needs and those of my clients. He has also been aware of the funding limitations which exist in the native title jurisdiction and has provided value for money often not charging for some of his attendances. I have no hesitation in recommending him as a highly competent provider of legal services.
Michael is clearly dedicated to the wellbeing of the indigenous people of Australia. No doubt this is often not in his commercial interests. Native title cases ramify legally, politically and socially in ways that other areas of legal practice do not. This means the lawyer involved must deal with the clients on a broad front and adds an unusual and challenging dimension to the practice of the law. It is a credit to Michael’s capacity that he manages these various dimensions deftly whilst maintaining a proper legal perspective on the matter. Happily, Michael is blessed with a caring and personable manner to complement his obvious intellectual capacity.
Michael Pagsanjan, the principal of MPS Law, is a pre-eminent native title practitioner with a national practice. In addition to his excellent legal knowledge and forensic skills, he is highly skilled in his dealings with Indigenous clients and capable of obtaining proper (and properly informed) instructions in difficult circumstances. An undoubted strength is his manner and clear compassion in assisting Indigenous people navigate the labyrinth of Australia land law.
I found them to be knowledgeable, professional, and committed to seeing the job through, despite the myriad of COVID 19-related distractions that were going on at the same time. I would happily work with them again.
The team at MPS Law have been a pleasure to work with. They took the time to understand my business/industry and were able to quickly draw up an agreement to protect my business. …. If you’re looking for lawyers who’ll understand your business and deliver on time, reach out to Michael and the team.
On behalf of our Ibbai Waggan Wiradjuri people, we wish to thank the team at MPS Law for their professional advice and guidance in dealing with our culturally sensitive legal matters.
Michael Pagsanjan assisted us with expert advice in the negotiation and execution of a commercial lease. Michael worked alongside us during the negotiations to ensure that we achieved a positive outcome. Importantly, we were able to develop a constructive working relationship with the other party which was a high priority for our ongoing interactions. This type of mediated negotiation, and proactive attitude to resolving issues, was highly effective and was appreciated by everyone involved.
It is rare to find a law firm that understands so well the context of Aboriginal corporations. MPS’ advice was high quality, succinct, in plain English and practical for us to implement. Their staff were responsive and inspired great confidence.
The team at MPS Law was amazing to work with and took on the case with a high level of skill and knowledge. They were responsive and approached our case with the utmost professionalism whilst carrying out instructions in a way that truly represented our group.
Importantly, from a cultural perspective, the team showed real respect for protocol, particularly around men’s and women’s business and in protecting deceased protocols. They treated the members of our case with professionalism, care, and dignity, while also creating space for us to provide honest feedback.
MPS Law made us feel both comfortable and empowered. Their approach has been upfront and honest throughout, while acknowledging and respecting us as equal partners in the process. We would highly recommend the team and would happily choose MPS Law again in the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank MPS Law and the amazing staff … Michael Pagsanjan, Helen Orr, Reade Allison along with other staff members that worked behind the scenes, for all the hard work [and] dedication in representing myself Maria Bandry as a respondent with the Cooper Respondents…
Led by Michael Pagsanjan, our team has the expertise to help you get to where you want to go.
As a law firm, we pride ourselves on delivering value for money with no costly surprises.
This starts with clear communication, so you know exactly what to expect.
Our usual process is to:
- Have an initial discussion about your needs, at no cost to you
- If you decide to engage our services, provide a formal letter outlining the terms of our work and expectations
- Provide fixed fee services, particularly for corporations with a specific project, where we provide flexible fixed fee packages tailored to the specific needs of the matter
- Reduced rates for native title claimants, native title service providers or representative bodies
- Provide pro bono services in special circumstances.
If you have questions or would like more detail, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us to discuss.