Michael Burke

Michael E. Burke, B.A. (York) 1982, LL.B. (Osgoode) 1986, M.B.A. (Schulich) 1986, called to the Bar of Ontario in 1986, is a Partner in the Financial Services Group of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, where his practice primarily focuses on securitization and asset-based lending/leasing transactions and the development of wholesale and retail (consumer) lending/leasing programs.  Over the years, Michael has been recognized by his peers and clients as one of the top securitization, equipment leasing and finance lawyers in Canada, including by such publications as Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, Best Lawyers, Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal, and Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Financial and Transactional Lawyers.  For 2020, he was named by Best Lawyers as its 2020 Equipment Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Toronto, repeating the same honour that he had received for 2015 from Best Lawyers.  Michael is the longest-serving Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Personal Property Security Law Committee, whose submissions have been responsible for virtually all major amendments that have been made to Ontario’s Personal Property Security Act over the last two decades. Since 2018, Michael has been an adjunct professor at University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, where he co-teaches the secured transactions course.  Contact:  michael.burke@blakes.com.