DLA Piper (Canada) LLP congratulates Michael Richards on being named a winner of the 2018 Lexpert Zenith Awards: Mid-Career Excellence in the Legal Profession for Employment Law.

This year’s Lexpert Zenith Awards winners were chosen for their achievements in a Lexpert practice area as well as their notable contributions in social responsibility.

Michael is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Toronto office and a leading litigation lawyer specializing in Employment and Labour law. Michael is sought out for his problem solving skills and ability to assist in the resolution of costly and sensitive matters expeditiously and efficiently. He has been recognized for his expertise in Employment Law by leading lawyer ranking guides including Best Lawyers in Canada, Lexpert’s Litigation Lawyers to Watch and Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 in Canada.

Since joining the firm as a student, Michael has demonstrated his creativity, vision and innate ability to lead. Prior to becoming Toronto Managing Partner, Michael filled a number of other leadership roles within the Firm, including Chair of the Student Committee in Toronto, and Co-Chair of the firm’s National E&L Law Conference in Toronto. He frequently speaks at OBA professional development seminars and regularly publishes articles on current topics of interest in employment and labour law. Michael also performs pro-bono legal work through Pro-Bono Ontario for the HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario and the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (Innocence Canada).

“Mike is an accomplished lawyer and an exemplary leader, who has shown a high level of commitment to the firm from the outset,” says Rob Seidel, Canada Managing Partner. “He has been a key figure in the expansion of the Toronto office and we are thrilled to see him recognized for his contributions to the firm and the legal community.”

“I am honoured to be recognized along with an exceptional group of peers” Mike said. “Serving as the Managing Partner of the Toronto Office while maintaining a practice is something I could not have done without the support and backing of my colleagues and friends throughout the firm. I have greatly enjoyed the challenge and I am looking forward to continuing to grow with the office and the firm in Canada”

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP offers a dynamic and diverse environment in which people can build a long and fruitful career and have their accomplishments rewarded. Our continued success relies on our ability to provide a supportive, inclusive and motivating environment for our legal professionals.

Winners of this year’s Lexpert Zenith Awards were honoured at a gala dinner held at the Arcadian Court in Toronto on June 19, 2018.