Michal Orzeg-Wydra is an Associate (Scottish Qualified) in the International Dispute Resolution department at Pogust Goodhead. Since joining the firm in late 2023, his focus has mainly been cross-border environmental litigation. He is currently predominantly involved in Município de Mariana v BHP Group Plc.

Michal is committed to championing human rights and protecting the environment. He is particularly driven and well-equipped to seek redress for corporate abuses and impunity. Michal trained and qualified in one of the world’s largest multinational commercial firms. Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Michal specialised in employment law and business and human rights. He has experience in defending complex discrimination, breach of contract, national minimum wage, and whistleblowing claims. He has extensive experience advising large multinationals on parent company liability, business and human rights, modern slavery, and ESG regulatory compliance. In 2022, Michal decided to pursue a career in environmental law and completed his LMM in Environmental Law and Policy, specialising in representing Indigenous communities in environmental litigation.

His passion for pro bono work led to him becoming DLA Piper’s first Pro Bono Scholar, undertaking a training contract seat with the Responsible Business Team, and becoming his former team’s Pro Bono Co-Ordinator. Michal has undertaken pro bono placements with several prominent organisations, including Reprieve, Liberty, the Environmental Defenders Office, and the Institute for Human Rights and Business. He has drafted petitions to UN Working Groups on behalf of human rights defenders and provided research support to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment