Mike J Russell Partner | Insolvency Group Leader

Education

Bachelor of Laws (with Distinction), University of Saskatchewan, 2009
Admitted to the Bar in 2010

Professional Associations

The Law Society of Saskatchewan
Canadian Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association, National Insolvency Section, Executive
Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Bankruptcy and Insolvency (North) Section, Chair
Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers’ Association
Saskatoon Bar Association
Saskatchewan Bankruptcy Practice Committee
Saskatchewan Insolvency Initiatives Panel
Saskatchewan Insolvency Template Orders Committee
COVID-19 National Judiciary Working Group, whose purpose is to acquire awareness of issues which may come up before the Courts to try to adopt uniform positions and solutions in response to COVID-19

Community Involvement

Professional Squash Association Saskatoon, Boast International Squash Tournament – Organizing Committee, 2008-2013
Chair, Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon Board of Directors

Representative Work

Mike has acted as counsel or co-counsel in a variety of insolvency and restructuring matters, including, but not limited to:

restructuring under the CCAA of approximately $100 million in debt owed by a hog operation
restructuring of a property developer under the CCAA
restructurings of a home manufacturer, a construction company and a sporting goods retailer under the BIA
receiverships of a wine store, a millworking company and a steel fabrication and supply company
receivership of a cattle operation
receivership of a hog operation
receivership of a specialty grain company
asserting a major claim in a US Chapter 15 proceeding
asserting major claims in various CCAA proceedings
bankruptcy of a restaurant
asset sale in an Alberta receivership of an oil and gas producer
representing the primary creditor in a multi-million dollar CCAA proceeding

Primary Practice

Mike primarily practises in the areas of insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring law. Mike has acted as counsel to:

lenders (including special loans departments) and as counsel to out-of-province law firms in relation to work-out and recovery strategies including forbearance arrangements, restructurings, collections and repossessions
lenders (including special loans departments) and as counsel to out-of-province law firms in relation to restructuring and receivership / bankruptcy proceedings under the Companies Creditors’ Arrangements Act (the “CCAA”) and under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (the “BIA”);
corporate debtors, landlords, suppliers, lien claimants, and other stakeholders in relation to restructuring and receivership / bankruptcy proceedings under the CCAA and under the BIA;
insolvency professionals appointed as monitor, receiver, trustee and liquidator both in relation to specific appointments and as general counsel.

Mike also handles corporate and commercial litigation matters, with a focus on construction law and builders’ liens, as well as matters relating to operators’ liens in the oil and gas industry, unpaid sellers’ liens and commercial liens regarding grain handling and other issues associated with the supply and transport of goods. Mike is a skilled negotiator, and has acted as an arbitrator and mediator in construction disputes. As well, Mike has handled a wide range of actions in the Court of Queen’s Bench, the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Canada.

Areas Of Law

W Law prides itself on its prairie roots

Our professional services extend across the province, with five Saskatchewan law offices located in Saskatoon, Melfort, Warman, Martensville, and Outlook.