W Michael G Osborne

Practice Areas

Michael helps businesses navigate competition (antitrust), foreign investment, and other regulatory regimes, and resolve commercial disputes. Michael's 25 years' experience and broad practice enable him to identify an achievable outcome that best aligns with his clients' goals, and to work towards achieving that outcome.

Michael advises and defends clients from around the world in inquiries and proceedings commenced by the Competition Bureau, including criminal matters, abuse of dominance, and marketing and advertising matters. He defends clients in private proceedings under the Competition Act, including price fixing class actions.

Michael helps clients obtain merger clearance under the Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act, including national security reviews under the Investment Canada Act.

Clients also seek out Michael's representation in a wide range of commercial disputes, including contractual disputes, shareholders' disputes, commercial fraud, and employment matters.

Michael has acted as trial and appellate counsel before all levels of court across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has tried several cases before the Competition Tribunal and appeared as counsel before arbitral tribunals in international and domestic arbitrations, both institutional and ad hoc. He is also qualified as an arbitrator.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust Law, Vice Chair, Books & Treatises Committee

Association des juristes d'expression francaise de l'Ontario

Canadian Bar Association, Competition Law Section and Anti-Corruption Team

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow

Order of St. John, Canada, Member

Ontario Bar Association

The Advocate's Society

Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society (TCAS)

International Centre for Dispute Resolution Canada, Arbitrator

Education