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.

Memberships

· Member, Law Society of Upper Canada

· Member, Canadian Bar Association (Ontario) - Civil Litigation, Competition, and Charities & Non-Profit Sections

· Member, Toronto Lawyers Association

· Member, The Advocates' Society

· Certified Mediator and Member, ADR Institute of Ontario

· Member, Lawyers' Club of Toronto

· Member, Trustees and Advisors Committee, TAG Foundation

Related News & Seminars

Blaneys Senior Partner Appears on CTV News to Discuss Sale of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Limited (MLSEL)
Michael Penman, a senior partner in Blaneys' Commercial Litigation Group, appeared on a panel discussion for CTV News Channel (Rogers 62), Friday, December 9, 2011, discussing the sale of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Limited (MLSEL) to Rogers and Bell.

Blaneys Lawyer Named to TAG Foundation Advisors Committee
Congratulations to Blaneys partner, Michael J. Penman, on his appointment to the Tag Foundation Trustees and Advisors Committee, effective October 8, 2011. The trustees and advisors of the TAG Foundation provide advice and counsel to the Foundation on the distribution of TAG Foundation funds, contributed by The Appleton Group, Inc.

Michael Penman is quoted in October 2010 issue of Canadian Lawyer In-House magazine
Michael Penman is quoted in the October 2010 issue of Canadian Lawyer In-House magazine, in an article, "Changing Times", that discusses how economic and demographic shifts have affected the sports industry in Canada.

Michael Penman appointed as one of Canada's delegates at World Hockey Summit
Congratulations to Michael Penman upon his appointment as one of Canada's delegates at the World Hockey Summit later this month. Organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, Hockey Canada, USA Hockey and the NHL, the Summit will examine all aspects of the game of hockey and the industry that surrounds it.

Michael Penman quoted in article "A Career-Destroying Grope", Lexpert Magazine
Michael Penman is quoted in an article "A Career-Destroying Grope" in the March 2010 issue of Lexpert magazine, about the case of former Saskatchewan Roughriders GM Eric Tillman.