Bennett Jones
Co-Head of the Firm's class actions practice, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Michael Eizenga is recognized as one of Canada's leading class action litigators. Michael advises and represents clients on all issues relating to complex commercial litigation and class proceedings, including product liability, securities, competition, and privacy and data breach matters. He's been appointed Special Master by the Superior Court of Justice in three class actions and amicus curiae by the Divisional Court in a major class action appeal in 2016.
Chambers Canada
"Michael Eizenga is 'a fabulous lawyer' who 'does a stand-up job for his clients, which is in part informed by his earlier history as plaintiff counsel – he brings that insight,' one source said, adding: 'He is at the top of the pack.' He wins the widespread respect of his peers who say 'he is an absolute delight to work with, or against. He is very practical and always has a vision of where a case will go, and is always willing to listen.'"
Since its inaugural 2006 edition, Michael has been named annually in Best Lawyers in Canada and received the 2021 Lawyer of the Year award in Class Action Litigation. He is also named annually in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada as a leading class action litigation and product liability lawyer, and is ranked in Band One by Chambers & Partners for his expertise in Dispute Resolution: Class Actions. Michael has been recognized as one of the preeminent litigation practitioners in the Province of Ontario by Benchmark Canada, named as a litigation star, and has been named Benchmark "Canadian Class Action Litigator of the Year" in four of the past six years. In 2017, Michael was awarded the highest honour, the Law Society Medal by the Law Society of Upper Canada, recognizing his undisputed leadership in the Class Action bar and outstanding commitment to public service.
Michael is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, and previously taught in the Faculty of Law and Departments of Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Western Ontario. He has also taught at Osgoode Hall's Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop; and the Law Society's Bar Admission Course.
A frequent lecturer and author, Michael has presented domestically and internationally to organizations such as the International Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Institute and the Advocates' Society. Michael is co-author of Class Actions Law and Practice and Class Actions in Canada.
He is Chair of the Board of Directors of War Child Canada, and has been a member of numerous other community, professional and academic organizations. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of Pro Bono Law Ontario (2008-2011). He is also a past president of The Advocates’ Society (2007-2008), a former member of its Board of Directors (1999-2008), and founding co-chair and member of its Advisory Board, Institute for Civility and Professionalism (2008-present). Mike is a past president of the Liberal Party of Canada and a former CEO of the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada.