Michael Barrack

Michael Barrack recounts his journey from humble Lebanese-Irish working-class origins in Toronto to becoming a prominent commercial litigator and President of The Advocates’ Society (2006-2007). Born in 1954, Barrack overcame his father’s early death at age 49 to excel academically, completing a University of Toronto commerce degree before graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1980.

Barrack spent 28 years at McCarthy Tétrault, rising from student to partner while handling major commercial litigation including the Olympia & York restructuring, Stelco insolvency proceedings, and numerous Supreme Court cases. He pioneered pro bono initiatives at McCarthys and The Advocates’ Society, establishing formal programs that continue today. His advocacy extended to complex cases involving medical malpractice, tax law, and criminal defense work.

In 2008, Barrack left McCarthys to join the boutique firm Thornton Grout Finnigan, seeking greater freedom from conflicts of interest. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in professional organizations, particularly The Advocates’ Society, where he served as President and organized notable events including tributes to Roy McMurtry and Norman Jewison. His interview provides valuable insights into the evolution of Canadian commercial litigation practice and the changing nature of legal profession dynamics from the 1980s through 2010s.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.