Over the past decade, Mike has conducted trials in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and the Yukon. At the appellate level he has appeared as lead counsel at the B.C. and Alberta Courts of Appeal. At the Supreme Court of Canada he argued and won on behalf of his client in Valard v. Bird.

Currently called to the bar in B.C. (and formerly of the Ontario and Yukon bars), Mike began his career in commercial litigation. To hone his trial skills, he later joined the crown attorney’s office where for 3 years he prosecuted several criminal trials a week. Prior to joining McLean & Armstrong LLP, Mike practiced in Ottawa where his focus was drafting written arguments for cases in all areas of law going to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mike frequently appeared as a legal affairs commentator on CTV for high profile cases ranging from Duffy Trial, Doctor-Assisted Suicide, Charter Challenge to Prostitution Laws, Medical Marijuana. He is also a presenter at legal education seminars ranging in topics from tendering law, to good faith in contracts, to general appellate practice. 

Mike is an Adjunct Professor teaching at the UBC Allard School of Law. Recently he was inducted as a fellow in the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.

Outside the office, Mike can be found running or biking on the trails and roads of the B.C. lower mainland.

McGill 2001 (B.Sc.)

University of Saskatchewan 2008 (LL.B.) 

British Columbia (2009)

Melanie Thompson
mthompson@mcleanarmstrong.com