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Partner

Michael Fenrick

B.A., M.A., LL.B.

Michael Fenrick

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Michael Fenrick’s legal practice is broad, giving his clients the advantage of strategic insight across a range of areas and industries. His work covers commercial litigation, infrastructure, appellate advocacy, judicial reviews, class actions, civil liberties, defamation, privacy, and employment law. He is often retained on highly confidential and sensitive matters for clients in crisis situations that could receive negative publicity. His clients value his calm demeanour and sound judgment.

Michael understands the multidimensional nature of complex litigation and works with his clients to avoid problems and manage them to successful outcomes when they happen. But sometimes litigation is the best option, and when it is he is a strong advocate.

He has been recognized for commercial litigation and public law by Lexpert; commercial litigation, employment law and appellate practice by Best Lawyers in Canada; and by Benchmark Litigation for commercial litigation. Michael was a Lexpert Rising Star in 2018 and received a Precedent Setter award in 2019. Michael was the gold medallist at Dalhousie Law School in 2008 and clerked for the Honourable Justice Marshall Rothstein of the Supreme Court of Canada in 2009. He has been adjunct faculty at both the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law and later Osgoode Hall Law School for many years. He is a contributing author to Constitutional Litigation in Canada.

Education

  • Dalhousie University, LL.B., 2008
  • University of British Columbia, M.A., 2005
  • University of King's College, B.A., 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Ontario, 2009

Professional Affiliations

  • The Advocates' Society

Practice Areas

Awards and Honours

  • Best Lawyers in Canada – Administrative and Public Law (since 2025); Appellate Practice (since 2024), Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Labour and Employment Law (since 2021)
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Litigation - Corporate Commercial; Litigation - Regulatory & Public Law
  • Benchmark Litigation - Future Star
  • 2019 Precedent Setter Award
  • Benchmark Litigation - 2019 - 40 & Under Hot List
  • Lexpert Rising Star - 2018 - One of Canada's Leading Lawyers under 40
  • Law Clerk to the Honourable Justice Marshall Rothstein, Supreme Court of Canada - 2008 - 2009
  • Dalhousie Law School - University Medal in Law - 2008
  • Numerous academic and advocacy prizes in areas such as constitutional, administrative, labour and corporate commercial law

Representative Work

  • Michael represents the Project Company and Maintainer in respect of a major LRT project respecting various disputes with key subcontractors.
  • Michael is counsel for Dying with Dignity Canada and Claire Elyse Brosseau in a challenge to the constitutionality of the exclusion of persons with the sole underlying medical condition of mental illness from access to medical assistance in dying.
  • Micharel represented the leader of a major Canadian political party respecting a defamation matter.
  • Michael has acted for various politicians in Canada at the federal, provincial and municipal levels in respect of defamation matters.
  • Michael has represented various public figures respecting appearances before Parliamentary committees and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
  • Michael has acted for a major Canadian political party respecting defamation matters.
  • Michael acted for a green energy company in respect of disputes over construction delays and deficiencies.
  • Michael represented Rideau Transit Group (a general partnership consisting of ACS RTG Partner Inc., SNC RTG Partner Inc. (now AtkinsRéalis RTG Partner Inc.)  and EllisDon RTG Partner Inc.), Rideau Transit Maintenance (a general partnership consisting of ACS RT Maintenance Partner Inc., ProTrans RT Maintenance Partner Inc., and EllisDon RT Maintenance Partner Inc.), and the Ottawa Light Rail Train Constructors (an unincorporated joint venture consisting of Dragados Canada, Inc., EllisDon Corporation, and SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc (now AtkinsRéalis Construction (Pacific) Inc.)) in the 2021 public inquiry into the Ottawa Light Rail Transit system.
  • Michael represented the Law Society of Ontario in the dispute over the removal of trees at the historic Osgoode Hall site for the Ontario Line.
  • Michael represented the complainant in a reference brought in respect of the right to be forgotten under federal privacy legislation.
  • Michael has acted for a major Canadian political party in respect of a judicial review brought regarding its leadership selection process.
  • Michael represented a major Canadian construction company in several claims arising from the impacts of COVID-19 on the construction of major healthcare facilities, a courthouse, and a regional express rail.
  • Michael represented a maintenance contractor on a major Ontario LRT project.
  • Michael represents two separate operations and maintenance providers on two other major Ontario LRT projects.
  • Michael represented a leading international engineering, operations, and maintenance company with respect to a rail maintenance facility in Ontario.
  • Michael acted for a federal cabinet minister in relation to an alleged breach of free expression brought in respect of a social media platform.
  • Michael regularly acts for civil liberties interveners before both the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Community Involvement

  • OneLight Theatre – Board member
  • Local Federal Riding Association – Executive member and Fundraising co-chair