Michael Barrack is recognized as one of the top litigators in Canada. He has led high profile trials, arbitrations and disputes involving both international and Canadian Law. He has appeared in proceedings at all levels of court in Canada, and represented clients in proceedings in the United States, Great Britain and the Netherlands. He has been called on by corporations, pension funds, governments, educational institutions, regulators and individuals to help resolve their most complex disputes.
Together with his colleagues at Blakes, Michael works to build the right team to solve his clients' matters efficiently and effectively. He is a strong promoter of diversity, having sponsored and mentored many lawyers from diverse backgrounds who have become leaders of the profession. Michael's first experience with the law was as a client. He attributes much of his success to a fierce dedication to solving his clients' problems creatively and in the best way for them. He is also actively involved in his community outside of his legal practice.
Michael has deep experience in most areas of the law, including corporate and commercial, taxation, securities, constitutional, insolvency, directors and officers liability, investment regulation, professional liability, government contracts and relationships, stakeholder rights, trusts, bilateral investment treaties, and international law.
Benchmark Litigation wrote about him:
"When something looks like it's going to go all the way, Michael Barrack is someone you can count on to see it through. Even if it winds up settling on the courthouse steps, he is ready to walk up those steps at any time."
He is also noted as possessing "superior trial savvy, with a clinical, strategic approach that is never a bulldog-tantrum approach. It's more a street-fighter-meets-master-chess-player approach." On the strength of this collective acclaim, he has been named "Trial Counsel of the Year".