Michael Eizenga is Senior Partner and Co-Chair of the Class Actions Practice Group at Bennett Jones practicing out of the firm's Vancouver and Toronto offices. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law teaching "Class Actions". Among other published works, he is author of The Class Action Handbook and co-author of Class Actions Law and Practice. He is a recipient of the Law Society Medal, the highest honour bestowed by the Law Society on a member.
Chambers Canada
"Michael Eizenga is 'a fabulous lawyer' who 'does a stand-up job for his clients, which is in part informed by his earlier history as plaintiff counsel – he brings that insight,' one source said, adding: 'He is at the top of the pack.' He wins the widespread respect of his peers who say 'he is an absolute delight to work with, or against. He is very practical and always has a vision of where a case will go, and is always willing to listen.'"
He has acted in some of the country's most important class actions and today Michael is regarded as one of Canada's go-to defense counsel for companies facing complex class actions. He has been named Canadian Class Action Litigator of the Year in six of the last eight years by Benchmark Canada. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has also been named annually to the publication Best Lawyers in Canada since its inaugural edition and is ranked by Chambers and Partners (Band One) for his expertise in Dispute Resolution: Class Actions. He is listed in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Lexpert Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross Border Litigation Lawyers.
Michael advises and represents clients on all issues relating to complex commercial litigation and class proceedings, including privacy and data breach matters, product liability, securities and competition. He has been appointed Special Master by the Superior Court of Justice in three class actions and amicus curiae in a major class action appeal.
A frequent lecturer and author, Michael has presented domestically and internationally to organizations such as the International Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Institute and the Advocates' Society.
He is currently defending Marriott International Inc. with respect to one of the largest data breaches ever reported and recently defeated the plaintiffs' appeal of the dismissal of their "intrusion upon seclusion" claims before the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Bennett Jones