Biography
Michael Polak is a barrister specialising in public international law, international crime, human rights, private prosecutions, strategic litigation, and serious criminal offences. He is known for his work before international courts, United Nations bodies, human rights-related arbitrations, and proceedings worldwide. Michael was awarded the prestigious International Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2021. This award is given to one young lawyer every year in recognition of their ‘excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as a commitment to the larger community.’ Michael was recognised as the most outstanding young lawyer in the world for his ‘commitment to defending human rights across the globe through his professional practice and personal endeavours.’
Michael Polak also serves as the Director of Justice Abroad, where he has represented families and individuals in various cases, including those detained arbitrarily or involved in suspicious death circumstances. In this role, he represented the family of George Lowe who was murdered in Ayia Napa in their pursuit of justice, a number of Uyghur clients who have been arbitrarily detained in the Uyghur Region, Chau Van Kham, a Vietnamese-Australian democracy activist who has been found by the United Nations to be arbitrarily detained in Vietnam, and the family of Dean Wright who was found dead on a luggage trolley inside a Cancun resort in suspicious circumstances. He was also part of the team pushing for the release of Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem who was subject to enforced disappearance in 2016 and release in early August 2024.
Mr Polak's contributions to the legal field also include authoring articles on legal topics, such as INTERPOL Notices, and participating in legal research and advocacy at the international level.