Michael Bookman
Appellate Practice
Appellate Practice
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Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced at a global full service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class action proceedings.Mike has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.From 2012-2013, Mike served as a law clerk to Justice Andromache Karakatsanis at the Supreme Court of Canada.Mike obtained his L.L.B./B.C.L. from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, where he served as an editor of the McGill Law Journal and was a research assistant to Professor David Lametti.Prior to law school, Mike was a consultant for a global political risk advisory firm in London, UK and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.He obtained his B.A. (cum laude in field) from Harvard University. He also holds an M.A. from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics.Mike serves as Secretary to the Board and Board Member at PEN Canada, a nonpartisan organization of writers that works to defend freedom of expression, at home and abroad.He also serves as Co-Chair of the Spring For Peace fundraising gala for Peacebuilders, a non-for-profit dedicated to supporting youth in conflict. He is the Chair of the Order of St. Michael selection committee at St. Michael’s College School.Mike is recognized as a leading commercial litigator in the publication Best Lawyers in Canada, and has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation Canada. Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced at a global full service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class action proceedings.Mike has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.From 2012-2013, Mike served as a law clerk to Justice Andromache Karakatsanis at the Supreme Court of Canada.Mike obtained his L.L.B./B.C.L. from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, where he served as an editor of the McGill Law Journal and was a research assistant to Professor David Lametti.Prior to law school, Mike was a consultant for a global political risk advisory firm in London, UK and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.He obtained his B.A. (cum laude in field) from Harvard University. He also holds an M.A. from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics.Mike serves as Secretary to the Board and Board Member at PEN Canada, a nonpartisan organization of writers that works to defend freedom of expression, at home and abroad.He also serves as Co-Chair of the Spring For Peace fundraising gala for Peacebuilders, a non-for-profit dedicated to supporting youth in conflict. He is the Chair of the Order of St. Michael selection committee at St. Michael’s College School.Mike is recognized as a leading commercial litigator in the publication Best Lawyers in Canada, and has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation Canada. Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced at a global full service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class action proceedings. Mike has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. From 2012-2013, Mike served as a law clerk to Justice Andromache Karakatsanis at the Supreme Court of Canada. Mike obtained his L.L.B./B.C.L. from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, where he served as an editor of the McGill Law Journal and was a research assistant to Professor David Lametti. Prior to law school, Mike was a consultant for a global political risk advisory firm in London, UK and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He obtained his B.A. (cum laude in field) from Harvard University. He also holds an M.A. from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics. Mike serves as Secretary to the Board and Board Member at PEN Canada, a nonpartisan organization of writers that works to defend freedom of expression, at home and abroad. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Spring For Peace fundraising gala for Peacebuilders, a non-for-profit dedicated to supporting youth in conflict. He is the Chair of the Order of St. Michael selection committee at St. Michael’s College School. Mike is recognized as a leading commercial litigator in the publication Best Lawyers in Canada, and has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation Canada.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025
Kathleen Rogers
I engaged Michael Bookman and the team at Babin Bessner Spry LLP to handle a complex commercial dispute involving a breach of contract with a former business partner. Mr. Bookman's extensive background, including his 15 years of experience and his prior work at a global firm, was evident in his strategic approach to the case. His recognition in corporate and commercial litigation is well-deserved, as his analysis of the contractual nuances and potential appellate angles was thorough. Ultimately, the matter was resolved with a settlement that met our core objectives. However, the experience was not without its frustrations. While Mike is clearly a sharp legal mind, there were periods where communication was slower than expected. Updates sometimes felt reactive rather than proactive, and it occasionally took several days to receive replies to non-urgent emails. For straightforward matters, this would be fine, but given the stakes, more consistent touchpoints would have provided greater peace of mind. His legal work was solid and he secured a good result, but the client service aspect felt merely adequate. He is a capable attorney who gets the job done, though the process could be smoother.