Michael has been identified as a leading practitioner in Canada in the areas of equipment finance/leasing and/or asset securitizations by the following publications: The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory; The Best Lawyers in Canada; and Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business.

In the securitization area, Michael has advised sellers, purchasers, liquidity lenders, credit enhancers (including foreign insurance companies), trustees and rating agencies in connection with numerous domestic and cross-border securitization transactions involving many different types of assets, including leases, loans and mortgages. He has acted for a number of Canadian finance and insurance companies in purchasing or selling lease portfolios and in establishing private securitization programs.

In the asset-based financing area, Michael has represented borrowers/lessees and lenders/lessors in specific transactions, including ABL credit facilities, acquisition financing credit facilities, warehouse credit facilities, cross-border lease and loan transactions, term loans or leases of capital equipment, franchise financing and project finance. He has also assisted vehicle and equipment lessors, financiers and suppliers in developing or modernizing their standard form documentation for use in a business or consumer context.

Michael was a member of the board of directors of Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA) for 10 years, is a member of its legal committee and has had extensive dealings with governmental officials on behalf of CFLA on a variety of issues relevant to CFLA members, including the new harmonized cost of credit disclosure rules for consumer leases and loans, Ontario's proposed new rules for motor vehicle dealers and for mortgage brokers and administrators, and the federal government's super-priority law for unremitted source deductions and goods and services tax (GST).

Michael is a member of the Firm's Opinions Committee. He is a resource person within the Firm who deals with unusual or complicated opinion issues in the securitizations and secured transactions areas. He has also been responsible for developing the Firm's precedent opinions for secured financings, securitizations and asset purchases.

Michael is or has been involved in a number of legal professional organizations and committees:

• Chair, Personal Property Security Law Subcommittee, Ontario Bar Association (OBA)
• Member, Business Law & Insolvency Sections, OBA
• Member, Business Law Section, American Bar Association