Profile

Michael J. Penman is the firm's Chief Privacy Officer, chair of the Privacy Group and a senior partner in the firm's Commercial Litigation Group. He is also one of the two partners responsible for the firm's relationship with TAGLaw, a network of leading law firms across North America and throughout the world.

A seasoned mediator and certified arbitrator as well as a litigator, Michael "tries to find business solutions" to issues facing his clients. As advisor to firms in Canada, the United States and Great Britain, "I provide sound, ongoing business counsel and bring to the task the tools to mediate, arbitrate or, if necessary, litigate."

Michael’s practice is based in the areas of corporate/ commercial, intellectual property, wrongful dismissal, competition, and tax law. He also acts for sports and entertainment clients and represents a number of professional and amateur sports organizations and athletes. In addition, he has considerable experience in the competition law field, particularly in the areas of advertising, marketing and trade practices.

Michael acts as general counsel for and is a Director of Nintendo of Canada Ltd. and Ferring (Pharmaceuticals) Inc. He is general counsel for and is a Director and Officer of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Finally, he is a Director of the Ontario Hockey Federation and of BladeNET Hockey Council.

As a litigator, Michael has appeared in all trial and appellate courts in Ontario. He has represented clients before the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada (Trial Division), the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

He has also appeared, by Special Call, in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia and, twice, in U.S. Federal District Court.

Michael is a Director of the Advocates' Society. He is a Certified Mediator and member of the ADR Institute of Ontario. He is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association - Ontario, the Metropolitan Toronto Law Association, and the Lawyers’ Club of Toronto.

Michael has served as an instructor on Civil Procedure in the Law Society of Upper Canada's Bar Admission Course. He has participated as a speaker and panel member at a number of seminars presented by the Canadian Bar Association, The Canadian Institute, Insight Information and private companies. He has also appeared on radio and television frequently on behalf of clients or as an informed source on sports issues.