Profile

Note: Currently, Mike is only taking new clients with construction-related matters.

Mike is a partner with ATAC LAW. He is both a lawyer and a professional engineer. Mike specializes in engineering and construction law, appearing on behalf of clients in construction and engineering related matters before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and before Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. Mike acts mediator and arbitrator in construction and commercial disputes. He is a member of ADRBC and has been designated as a Qualified Mediator and a Qualified Arbitrator.

Mike is experienced in the areas of construction dispute resolution, builder’s liens, contract negotiation and administration, CCDC contracts, arbitration, and construction litigation, construction mediation and constriction dispute resolution. He helps owners, contractors and developers resolve their construction disputes quickly and efficiently. He is different than a regular lawyer because he has experience working as an engineer.

Prior to becoming a construction lawyer, Mike worked as a project engineer and consulting engineer in the energy and renewable energy sectors.

In recognition of Mike’s experience as an engineer and lawyer, the University of British Columbia has appointed him to the position of Adjunct Professor. He teaches the 4^th year Professional Engineering Practice course to 350 students each semester. After recording his lectures for online delivery, Mike has retired from the position.

Mike also sits as a member of the Senate of the University of British Columbia. He regularly adjudicates appeals on academic and non-academic discipline through the Senate Committee on Appeals of Academic Discipline.

Recent Construction Dispute Resolution Experience

• Acted for Professional Engineer in a complex civil fraud case involving multiple parties and jurisdictions
• Successfully obtained several consent resolutions in relation professional discipline matters against several Professional Engineers alleged to have committed misconduct, negligence or breaches of the Code of Ethics
• Acted for owners of a construction improvement in resolving a dispute with the general contractor and obtained removal of a lien and settlement of case
• Successfully defended a Professional Engineer against a claim for defamatory libel
• Acted for owners of a commercial retail property in defending against general contractor for claims for extras and obtained dismissal of claim by way of summary trial
• Acted for concrete formwork subtrade in obtaining lien and payment on unpaid invoices and successfully obtained payment from owner by way of negotiation over builder’s lien holdback
• Acted on behalf of developer of property in North Vancouver in action for breach of contract
• Acted on behalf of Professional Engineer in dispute with City of Surrey over approval of building permit
• Acted on behalf of owner-developer of property in dispute with City of New Westminster
• Acted on behalf of US-based conglomerate in relation to dispute over heavy equipment supply contracts to major infrastructure projects in British Columbia
• Successfully obtained judgment against developer on behalf of concrete formwork supplier in Supreme Court
• Successfully obtained payment on behalf of concrete formwork supplier against developer by way of claim against Builder’s Lien Holdback
• Acted on behalf of construction manager in action for breach of contract against owner developer of a large Buddhist temple development
• Regularly act on behalf of general contractors and subcontractors in advising on contractual terms prior to disputes
• Acted on behalf of medical doctor in relation to dispute over large tenant improvement in orthodontic practice
• Successfully avoided significant claims against owner orthodontic practice development from design-builder through negotiation and mediation
• Acted for developer of 150-unit development against electrical subcontractor in claim for breach of contract
• Acted for municipality in developing MMCD contract and administering tendering process for civil infrastructure works
• Acted on behalf of homeowners in relation to claim against general contractor for breach of contract and negligence
• Acted on behalf of homeowners in relation to obtaining dismissal of numerous builder’s liens filed by subtrades
• Acted on behalf of mechanical subcontractor in dispute with developer of high rise building in Surrey with contract value of $20m.
• Acted on behalf of mechanical subcontractor in dispute with developer of high rise building in Richmond with contract value of $10m.
• Acted on behalf of glazing contractor in dispute with developers on multiple large developments with contract values between $5-$10m.
• Acted on behalf of Professional Engineer in negligence claim and successfully defended engineer from claim of $10m.
• Acted on behalf of owner in resolution of dispute with claim against engineer for negligent design and supervision of glazing.
• Acted on behalf of construction manager in dispute with owner over unpaid invoices.
• Acted on behalf of developer in relation to dispute with construction manager over breach of contract.
• Acted on behalf of designer in relation to dispute with owner over unpaid invoices.
• Acted on behalf of civil contractor in dispute with owner over CCDC 5B contract and extras for contaminated soils disposal
• Acted on behalf of purchasers of real property with claim against developer for misrepresentation
• Acted on behalf of owner in construction dispute over real property development
• Acted on behalf of strata corporation in relation to dispute with subtrade over unpaid invoices
• Acted on behalf of insurer in relation to insured’s responsibility for negligent equipment supply
• Acted on behalf of owner of ranch in construction dispute with general contractor

Professional Involvement

Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of British Columbia (ADRBC)
Qualified Mediator (ADRBC)
Qualified Arbitrator (ADRBC)
Senator, University of British Columbia
Adjudicator, Senate Committee on Student Appeals of Academic Discipline
Executive Member of the Canadian Bar Association – Lower Mainland Young Lawyers
Barrister and Solicitor, Law Society of British Columbia
Professional Engineer, Ontario
Professional Engineer, British Columbia
Member of the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch
Member of the Vancouver Alumni Council of the University of Ottawa
Vice-President of Membership, Declarations Toastmasters (past)
Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (past)

Education

Bachelor of Applied Science (Management Option), University of Ottawa – 2009
Master of Applied Science (Chemical Engineering), University of Ottawa – 2011
Juris Doctor, University of British Columbia – 2014

Areas of Expertise

Administrative Tribunals
Business
Construction Litigation
Construction & Engineering Law
Personal Injury
Professional Liability
Startups
Securities

*Mike provides legal advice through ATAC LAW Corporation.