Michael D. Brenton

Practice Areas: Civil Litigation including - Insurance, Product Liability, Personal Injury, Professional Liability Defence, Construction Law, Commercial Litigation.

Law School: University of New Brunswick

E-Mail: mdb@barryspalding.com
Phone: (506) 633-4219

Assistant: Mavis Brinston (506) 633-4283 mlb@barryspalding.com

Practice Areas

Mike represents two prominent casualty insurers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, handling a wide variety of claims and coverage issues. He was counsel in Reid v. Hatty (2005), 279 N.B.R. (2d) 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 (2d) 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.

Recently Mike was retained to defend three tobacco companies in product liability litigation commenced by the Province of New Brunswick and he continues to develop his complex commercial litigation practice.

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

Professional Experience

A native of New Brunswick, Mike received degrees in Business Administration (1988) and Law (1991) from the University of New Brunswick. He was admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 1992 and began working with Barry & O’Neil (predecessor to Barry Spalding). He is a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Canadian Bar Association (former member of NB Branch council) and the Saint John Law Society (former member of council). He is a lecturer in civil litigation at the Bar Admission course.

Outside the Office

Mike served as a director of the Saint John Boys and Girls Club and was chair of the Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Hampton for several years. A sporting enthusiast, he has coached minor hockey for many years and continues to play recreational hockey. He plays golf and enjoys fishing, hunting and farming.