Michael Lonergan Byers

Michael Byers is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on commercial, securities and complex employment litigation.

His practice includes contract disputes, shareholder and oppression claims, class actions, professional liability, fraud matters, employment law, insolvency and bankruptcy disputes, defamation claims, and insurance litigation.

Michael has significant experience in securities litigation, including investigations and proceedings conducted by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and other securities regulators, investment loss claims, broker/dealer disputes and cryptocurrency litigation. Michael also has an employment law practice that focuses on litigation involving departing brokers and advisors, executive employment disputes, and cases involving complex financial and damages quantification issues or allegations of cause. He has particular expertise in wrongful dismissal matters in the financial services and securities industries. Michael also has a specialized practice advising cryptocurrency industry participants and holders on securities regulatory issues and related litigation matters.

Michael has extensive experience with civil trials, regulatory and arbitral hearings, and appeals. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, arbitral tribunals, and regulators including the Capital Markets Tribunal, Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, Financial Services Regulatory Authority, British Columbia Securities Commission, and Human Rights Tribunal. Michael also has experience in proceedings before the courts of other provinces, and in assisting clients in investigations and proceedings commenced by regulatory bodies across the country.

Michael joined the firm in 2014 after practicing at a major national law firm, and became a partner in 2019.