Michelle Johnson
Solicitor | Risk, Quality & Sustainability Specialist
Michelle Johnson is a Sydney-based solicitor and compliance professional with over 20 years of experience in regulatory compliance, privacy, consumer law, product safety, and sustainability.
As Co-Founder and Director of Watchdog Compliance, she has built a reputation for delivering tailored compliance solutions that align with ESG, ethical sourcing, and regulatory requirements across Australia and New Zealand.
Michelle has advised leading businesses on privacy compliance, data breach management, modern slavery and illegal logging obligations, product safety, and marketing compliance.
She has extensive experience liaising with regulators including the OAIC, ACCC, ACMA, AICIS, and the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
Her career spans senior roles in both government and consultancy, with expertise in policy drafting, risk frameworks, supplier audits, ESG strategies, and compliance training. She is admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the ACT and holds multiple degrees from the Australian National University, including a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Public Law.
Michelle is recognised for her practical, solution-oriented approach, strong leadership skills, and commitment to embedding sustainability and ethical practices into business operations.
David Johnson
Solicitor | Consumer Law & Product Safety Specialist
David Johnson is a solicitor and compliance professional with more than 25 years of experience in consumer law, product safety, and regulatory compliance. He has held senior legal roles with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Government Solicitor, where he provided strategic legal advice, managed litigation, and represented the ACCC in Federal Court proceedings. He also served as a member of the ACCC’s Product Safety Consultative Committee, contributing to national consumer protection and product safety strategy.
David specialises in competition and consumer law compliance across Australia and New Zealand. He has worked with hundreds of businesses to establish and implement compliance programs, conduct risk assessments, design complaints handling systems, and embed whistleblower protection mechanisms. David has extensive expertise in product safety and recalls, regularly advising businesses on safety standards, recall planning, regulator engagement, and monitoring recall effectiveness. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University and is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the ACT. David is a member of the GRC Institute and is recognised for delivering practical, effective compliance solutions that strengthen business capability, protect consumers, and support long-term regulatory compliance.
