Michael D. Brenton, K.C.

Professional Experience

Mike received his Business Administration Degree in 1988 and Law Degree in 1991 from the University of New Brunswick. He was admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 1992. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of New Brunswick, and the Saint John Law Society.

Mike is counsel for two prominent national casualty insurers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, handling a wide variety of claims and coverage issues. He also acts as conflict counsel for a number of other insurers. Mike was counsel in Reid v. Hatty (2005), 279 N.B.R. (2nd) 202 (Court of Appeal), the leading New Brunswick authority on the standard of care expected of occupiers, and in Rossignol v. Rubidge (2007), 317 N.B.R. (2nd) 105 (Court of Queen’s Bench, Trial Division), the first case to address the New Brunswick legislation capping pain and suffering claims for minor injuries arising out of motor vehicle accidents.

For several years now, he has defended errors and omissions claims made against professional engineers, surveyors, architects, dentists, and real estate appraisers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. He has also represented property owners and contractors in lien claims and other construction litigation.

In recent years, Mike has focused on complex litigation, including commercial litigation, including commercial litigation, and represented three tobacco companies in the defence of a multi-billion dollar product liability claim commenced by the Province of New Brunswick.  Mike is presently representing the City of Saint John in the defense of a class action.

Mike lectures in civil litigation annually at the Bar Admission Course.

Awards and Recognition

Mike was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2015.

Mike is listed as a leading practitioner by the publication – The Best Lawyers in Canada for his practice in the area of Insurance Law and product liability defense.

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes Mike as a leading practitioner in Personal Injury Defence.

Outside the Office

Mike and his wife, Michelle, have two children.

For 10 years, Mike coached minor hockey and after that became a member of the executive of the Hampton Minor Hockey Association, retiring after the completion of his term as president.

He was a long time member of the Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Hampton, sitting as Chair of the Committee for several years.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys farming, fishing and hunting.