-Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption
Following an Honours Degree in Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo, Michael Chiang attended Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law where, in 2021, he earned a Juris Doctor, before commencing an Associateship with the Firm in January 2023.
While thoroughly enjoying law school and Articling in the city once titled the murder capital of Ontario, Michael took to honing his effective advocacy skills and developed an even greater passion for criminal law. This development prompted his registration in Advanced Criminal Law and the Arnup Cup Criminal Law Moot Competition. He was also a case worker for the Lakehead University Community Free Legal Clinic and an assistant martial arts instructor for Lakehead Martial Arts club. He won his first contested trial while still a student.
His Articling experience in Thunder Bay further solidified his advocacy passion, not only for criminal law, but specifically for criminal defence work; where going to battle for those who can’t fight the criminal justice system for themselves is, in his opinion, grossly unrecognized. Throughout Articling, Michael worked on cases with issues related to police bias, criminalization of poverty, and the overincarceration of Indigenous and Black individuals. He concluded his Articling term with solid foundational exposure to a variety of criminal offences, including complex homicides and drug trafficking charges, which springboarded his criminal defence career.
Excited to return home to the Greater Toronto Area with a compelling focus towards defending injustices suffered by marginalized populations, Mr. Chiang looks forward to every opportunity in furthering the development of his skills and passion in criminal defence.
When not in the courtroom or elbow deep in criminal briefs, Mr. Chiang practices a variety of traditional and modern martial arts, enjoys gaming, and spending time with family.
