Michael J. Berger

Mike practices civil litigation, with a particular focus on class actions, insurance, and technology issues.

Prior to joining Lawson Lundell as an articling student in 2010, Mike served as a law clerk at the British Columbia Supreme Court, and was employed as a research assistant to Prof. Robin Elliot (UBC) in the area of constitutional law.

Before deciding to pursue a career in law, Mike worked in the technology and banking sectors as a software developer and financial analyst.

Recognition and Ranking

• Winner of the Norman MacKenzie Prize in Public International Law (2008)
• Winner of both the Honourable Kenneth Fawcus and Panvini Scholarships in Law (2007)
• Runner-up in the Robert H. Guile, QC Memorial Debate (January 2008)
• UBC Environmental Law Negotiation Competition (2006) –1st Place Team Member

Professional Activities

• Law Society of British Columbia, Member
• Canadian Bar Association, Member

Community Activities

• Access Pro-Bono Legal Clinic

Bar Admissions

• British Columbia (2011)

Education

• University of British Columbia (J.D., 2009)
• University of Toronto (B.Sc. Hons. Computer Science & Minor in Mathematics, 2005)

Personal Interests

• Playing piano and bass guitar
• Cooking
• Bicycling and swimming
• Organic vegetable farming

Mike has appeared before both the British Columbia Supreme Court and British Columbia Provincial Court.

Mike has experience

• As junior counsel for defendants in two proposed class actions
• Leading litigants through the litigation process, including drafting pleadings and performing document discovery
• As counsel in mediation and settlement conferences
• In the in-house legal department of a major information technology firm

Mike has advised clients and performed research on a wide range of legal issues and disputes, including

• Corporate governance and proxy contests
• Commercial lease disputes
• Debt collection
• Contracts
• Restrictive covenants and easements
• Special costs
• Wrongful dismissal
• Insurance coverage
• Negligence and product defects