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Michael A. Eizenga L.S.M.

Partner

Co-Head of Class Actions Practice

Co-Head of Class Actions Practice |

T: 416.777.4879

T: 604.891.5353

Toronto / Vancouver

Eizenga Mike
 
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

T: 416.777.4879

T: 604.891.5353


Toronto / Vancouver

  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

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 three of the past five 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.

Education

University of Western Ontario, BA, 1979 Dallas Seminary, ThM, 1983 University of Western Ontario, MA, 1986 University of Western Ontario, LLB, 1989 

Bar Admissions

Ontario, 1991 British Columbia, 2015 

Recent Experience

Atlantic Lottery Corporation, in its successful appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada, which set aside a consumer class action certification order of the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal. The class action sought disgorgement of profits through waiver of tort and restitutionary claims, brought on behalf of everyone who has played an ALC video lottery gaming terminal.
An Intervenor at the Supreme Court of Canada in TELUS Communications Inc. v. Wellman on arbitration and class actions.
Volkswagen Canada, in the defence of various class actions arising from alleged misrepresentations relating to the emissions of its 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel vehicles, the defence of a securities class action alleging misrepresentations in Volkswagen’s public disclosures, and the defence of a class action involving allegations of anti-competitive conduct among certain German manufacturers.
Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada, in defence of a class action alleging that their Theta II engine is prone to clogging in the lubrication systems resulting in premature wear of the engine components and catastrophic engine failure.
Welsh v Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Ontario, representing Welsh as agent, in its appeal on Class Counsel Fees in the settlement of the action which delivered benefits to students at three provincially run schools for the deaf.
Bureau Veritas SA in a successful defence of the $1.85 billion class action commenced against it and Loblaw Co. Ltd. alleging that they neglected to warn workers of structural deficiencies in the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh before it collapsed.
MacMillan, et al v. Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., et al acting as Special Master under a Canada-Wide settlement agreement.
Lorne Waldman v. Thomson Reuters Canada Limited appointed to assist the Divisional Court as amicus curiae.
Brewer's Retail, Inc. (c.o.b. The Beer Store) in defence of an alleged $1.4-billion consumer/competition class action.
A U.S. based manufacturer and its Canadian affiliate in defence of a major medical device product liability class action.
The distributors of aftermarket insulation products in defence of a class action brought for alleged violations of the Hazardous Products Act.
Reebok International Ltd. in defence of a class action alleging violations of the Competition Act and the Consumer Protection Act. The action was settled prior to certification.
Sino-Forest Corporation in defence of a national primary and secondary market securities class action.
SMART Technologies Inc. in defence of a national primary market securities class action.
Benefit Plan Administrators Limited in defence of a pension related class action.
The former Chief Financial Officer of an Issuer in defence of a secondary market securities class action.
Bank of America in defence of a competition/anti-trust related class action.
Toyota in defence of a class action alleging it engaged in anti-competitive conduct through implementation of its Access Program.

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Band 1, Dispute Resolution: Class Actions (Defence)
Ranked, Litigation: Product Liability - Nationwide
Chambers Global The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
Band 1, Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
The Legal 500 Canada
Leading Lawyer, Dispute Resolution - Ontario
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Most frequently recommended, Litigation - Product Liability, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, and Class Actions
 

 

Best Lawyers in Canada
2021 Toronto Lawyer of the Year - Class Action Litigation
Recognized as one of Canada's leading Class Action Litigation lawyers
Recognized as one of Canada's leading Product Liability lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow of the College
Law Society of Upper Canada
Awarded highest honour, the Law Society Medal
Benchmark Litigation: Canada
Recognized as the Class Actions Litigator of the Year
Recognized as a Litigation Star
Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Ranked, Class Actions
Ranked, Litigation - Product Liability
Lexpert Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada
Recognized as one of Canada's leading Dispute Resolution lawyers
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Litigation lawyer in Canada
Litigation Counsel of America
Member of the Society
Who's Who Legal: Canada
Recognized, Commercial Litigation
Recognized, Product Liability Defence
Who's Who Legal: Litigation
Recognized as a leader in the area of Litigation

Insights, News & Events

Blog

Class Actions: Other Notable Cases and Developments in 2020

February 03, 2021
       

Updates

Looking Forward: Class Actions in 2021

January 25, 2021
       

Announcements

Twenty-Five Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert/ALM 500 Directory

December 17, 2020
       

Blog

Pre-Certification Stays in Multijurisdictional Class Actions: Ravvin v Canada Bread Company, Limited

December 04, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Lexpert's Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020

December 01, 2020
       

Announcements

40 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert's Special Edition on Litigation

November 27, 2020
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga on Class Actions in Ontario & Beyond

September 18, 2020
       

Blog

SLAPPed Around—Defamation, Anti-SLAPP Legislation and the Defence of Qualified Privilege

September 14, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Recognized in Chambers Canada 2021

September 10, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones' Best Lawyers in Canada 2021

August 27, 2020
       

Blog

COVID-19 Class Actions Weekly Round-Up

June 02, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Sweeps Benchmark 2020 Awards

May 29, 2020
       

Blog

The Long Road to Justice: Plaintiffs Win Common Issues Trial in Institutional Abuse Case

May 27, 2020
       

Blog

COVID-19 Class Actions Weekly Round-Up

May 06, 2020
       

Blog

COVID-19 Class Actions Weekly Round-Up

April 07, 2020
       

In the News

Bennett Jones in ABA Newsletter on Top Canadian Class Action Appellate Decisions

February 25, 2020
       

Announcements

Twenty-three Bennett Jones Lawyers in Leading 500 in Canada

December 13, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones: Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers

November 29, 2019
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga on Liability for Connected Devices

November 29, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Top-Tier in The Legal 500

November 18, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones' Leading Lawyers in Chambers Canada 2020

September 19, 2019
       

Articles

LCO Class Actions Report

July 17, 2019
       

Announcements

Lexpert's 2019 Guide to U.S./Canada Cross-Border Lawyers

June 14, 2019
       

Announcements

136 Lawyers in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

May 06, 2019
       

Blog

Supreme Court Enforces Arbitration Clauses for Business Customers in Consumer Class Action

April 08, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Ranks in the Benchmark Canada 2019 Awards

March 11, 2019
       

Guides

Looking Forward: Class Actions in 2019

January 31, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Named to GCR 100

January 25, 2019
       

Blog

Court of Appeal Affirms Decision to Dismiss the Rana Plaza Class Action

December 21, 2018
       

Announcements

22 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Leading 500 in Canada

December 12, 2018
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones—Lexpert’s Leading Canadian Litigation Lawyers

November 30, 2018
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2018

November 01, 2018
       

Announcements

Lexperts 2018 Guide to U.S. Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada

June 27, 2018
       

Announcements

120 Lawyers in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

April 16, 2018
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga in Canadian Lawyer: Beer Store Class Action Dismissed

March 20, 2018
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Litigation Lawyers—Lexpert’s Canadian Leaders

November 24, 2017
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers—Canadian Leaders

November 24, 2017
       

Guides

Looking Forward: Canadian Class Actions in 2018

November 23, 2017
       

Speaking Engagements

Looking Forward: Class Actions in 2018

November 23, 2017 and November 28, 2017
       

Articles

Striking Jury Notices in Civil Trials

Fall 2017
       

Announcements

Michael Eizenga Honoured with Law Society Medal

May 29, 2017
       

Announcements

Four Bennett Jones Practices Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global 2017

March 16, 2017
       

Updates

Cybersecurity: 2017 Report & 2016 Reflections

February 2017
       

Speaking Engagements

8th Annual Class Actions Colloquium

December 05, 2016
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga on Trump University and Class Actions in National Post

November 25, 2016
       

Blog

Trump University Class Action Roaring Towards Trial

November 09, 2016
       

Blog

Class Actions Now Available in Japan

October 24, 2016
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga in Lexpert Cover Story on Class Actions: New Order

September 07, 2016
       

Blog

Second Trump University Class Action Proceeding to Trial

August 04, 2016
       

Blog

Have a Contract in Canada? Your Class Action Risk is Greater Than You May Think

July 19, 2016
       

Blog

Deceptive Marketing Class Actions: Trump University

June 10, 2016
       

In the News

Mike Eizenga in Law Times Focus on Class Actions

April 18, 2016
       

Related Services

Class Action Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Privacy & Data Protection
Product Regulation
Product Liability
Securities Litigation
Defamation
Cybersecurity

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