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Michael Wilchesky

Partner

Michael Wilchesky

Biography

Michael Wilchesky is the Practice Group Leader for the Civil Sexual Assault and Indigenous Rights practice groups. His practice focuses on civil sexual and institutional abuse and misconduct claims and Indigenous rights. He has acted in hundreds of civil sexual abuse and sexual assault cases on behalf of survivors. He currently volunteers with the Independent Legal Advice Pilot Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault, the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner’s Legal Aid Program, and the LSO’s Coach and Advisor Network. He maintains a Legal Practice and Procedure blog. Prior to Rochon Genova, he practiced at an international law firm in New York in corporate finance, securities and commercial law, then at a boutique Toronto firm in construction law, employment law, and commercial litigation. He holds an LL.B. with Honours from Osgoode Hall Law School (2008) and a B.A. with Honours in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario (2005). Called to the Bar in New York in 2009 and Ontario in 2010.

Areas of Practice

  • Civil Sexual and Institutional Abuse

Education & Bar Admissions

  • LL.B. with Honours, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario, 2008
  • B.A. with Honours (Psychology), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, 2005
  • Called to the Bar, New York, 2009
  • Called to the Bar, Ontario, 2010

Speaking Engagements & Publications

  • “E-Trials by fire: GAME ON!”, The Litigator, June 2013
  • “Ontario Disability Support Plan, Ontario Words and Other Systems,” The Litigator, September 2014
  • “Defence Strategies in Sexual Assault Claims: What Was Old is New Again,” The Litigator, September 2015
  • Your First Civil Trial (YLD) — Speaker, Ontario Bar Association, 2014
  • Guest Lecturer, Seneca College (Paralegal Program), Civil Sexual Assault Litigation: Why Do It?, November 29, 2019
  • Co-presenter, OTLA seminar: “Unlocking Compensation: Mastering Economic Loss Claims In Sexual Abuse Cases,” October 10, 2023
  • Speaker, “2024 Guide to Civil Sexual Assault,” Osgoode Professional Development, 2024
  • Speaker, “Fundamentals of Civil Sexual Assault Claims,” Ontario Bar Association, 2024

Professional Involvement

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
  • Volunteer, Independent Legal Advice Pilot Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault (2016–present)
  • Volunteer Advisor, LSO Coach and Advisor Network (2018–present)
  • Volunteer lawyer, Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner’s Legal Aid Program / Safe Sport for All (2022–present)
  • Duty Counsel, Small Claims Court (2009–2011)

Languages

  • English