Michael Bookman

Tel: 416-309-0941mbookman@babinbessnerspry.comvCard
Experience

Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced at a global full service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class action proceedings.

Mike has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

From 2012-2013, Mike served as a law clerk to Justice Andromache Karakatsanis at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mike obtained his L.L.B./B.C.L. from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, where he served as an editor of the McGill Law Journal and was a research assistant to Professor David Lametti.

Prior to law school, Mike was a consultant for a global political risk advisory firm in London, UK and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.

He obtained his B.A. (cum laude in field) from Harvard University. He also holds an M.A. from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics.

Mike serves as Secretary to the Board and Board Member at PEN Canada, a nonpartisan organization of writers that works to defend freedom of expression, at home and abroad. 

He also serves as Co-Chair of the Spring For Peace fundraising gala for Peacebuilders, a non-for-profit dedicated to supporting youth in conflict. He is the Chair of the Order of St. Michael selection committee at St. Michael’s College School.

Representative Work

Mike’s experience includes acting for:

  • A Canadian telecommunications provider in a dispute in connection with wholesale roaming rates.
  • A global telecommunications provider in a dispute related to the sale of its Canadian assets.
  • A global pharmaceutical manufacturer in connection with disputes over medications made available to the Canadian public.
  • A global bank in a dispute over success fees owed to it by a mining company.
  • A Canadian limited partnership in connection with a disputed real estate transaction.
  • A global bank and its investment advisors in disputes with bank clients regarding the suitability of investment strategies.
  • The Canadian Civil Liberties Association intervening before the Supreme Court of Canada in Ernst v. Alberta Energy Regulator, 2017 SCC 1.
Publications
Affiliations and Education

Professional Affiliations:

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Barreau du Quebec
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Advocates’ Society
  • Toronto Lawyers Association
  • L'Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario

Bar Admission:

  • Ontario, 2013
  • Quebec, 2013

Education:

  • McGill University, Faculty of Law, L.L.B./B.C.L., 2011
  • London School of Economics, M.Sc. with Distinction, 2006
  • Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, M.A., 2005
  • Harvard University, B.A., cum laude in field, 2003

Languages:

  • French

litigator
negotiator
advocate