Mike joined the Department of Labour's legal team in 2002 as a solicitor, becoming a senior solicitor in 2006.

In these roles, Mike prosecuted many cases under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre following the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy in 2008. Mike became the Director Litigation for the Department of Labour in 2009. Mike was previously in private practice in Taranaki.