Lawyer Profile
Michael E. Mestinsek
Calgary, Alberta
Overview
Michael is head of the Advocacy Group in the Calgary office. He represents numerous domestic and international clients in all major areas of commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.
Michael's dispute resolution philosophy is predicated on the principle that every dispute has unique characteristics and exigencies. Efficient and effective dispute resolution requires a flexible and practical approach. His primary focus is to provide decisive advice his clients can trust when these disputes arise.
Michael regularly advises clients on litigation matters involving oil and gas, corporate governance, product liability, directors' and officers' liability, professional liability, securities, commercial real estate and insurance. Michael is recognized for his particular expertise in joint venture and contract disputes involving pipelines, energy facilities, and significant construction projects. He has appeared in all levels of Alberta courts, before various administrative tribunals, including the Alberta Securities Commission, and in numerous private mediation and arbitration proceedings.
In 2022, Michael was honoured with a King's Counsel (KC) appointment, a prestigious designation conferred on lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the legal profession or public life in the province of Alberta.
Michael is a member of the Calgary, Canadian and American Bar Associations, the Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS), the Defence Research Institute (DRI) and the Kappa Alpha Literary Society Alumni Association. He is also a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute of the Litigation Counsel of America. Michael is a trustee of the John Hart Hunter Educational Foundation (Canada and US). He is a member of the Executive Leadership Committee of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada Board of Directors, and was Co-Chair of Light The Night 2023.
Michael is a frequent lecturer on matters pertaining to advocacy and dispute resolution for the Advocates Society and the Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA). He has given numerous industry presentations and authored several articles relating to commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution and advocacy.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1994 (AB)