Few in the legal profession have had a bigger few years going against the establishment than Michael Hodge KC.

There was a starring role as counsel assisting Kenneth Hayne’s financial services royal commission, which earned him a cheer squad of doe-eyed, grey-haired keyboard warriors (this masthead even copped a swoon at the “famously baby faced” barrister). This year, Hodge stared down Sue Chrysanthou SC and Lachlan Murdoch on behalf of Crikey, with the media scion eventually dropping the case. Among other highlights (we really could go on).