Board of Directors

Michael Smith is a senior partner with LMS Lawyers LLP. He is an accomplished defence lawyer recognized for his exceptional courtroom advocacy, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to his clients. With more than two decades of experience and appearing before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and appellate courts, Michael has built a reputation for handling serious complex criminal cases. His courtroom experience continues to serve him well as he fulfills his role as an educator teaching Criminal Law at Carleton University.

A proud Black lawyer and community leader, Michael has dedicated much of his career to advancing equity, inclusion, and access to justice. He has served as a director of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers Ottawa Chapter and co-chaired the Independent Committee on Racism and Discrimination for the Greater Toronto Hockey League. His committee’s recommendations continue to help shape governance reform aimed at fostering inclusivity and accountability in sports organizations.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Michael was an elite athlete representing Canada’s National Wrestling Team. Michael is a nationally recognized leader in Canadian amateur sport. He is the former President of AthletesCAN the organization representing over 1,500 national team athletes. Michael remains significantly involved in Canadian sport while fulfilling his role as an Arbitrator, Adjudicator, Mediator, and certified Independent Investigator on behalf of national and provincial sports organizations.

As someone who has sat on several boards as a director, Michael is extremely proud of his contributions in the governance and strategic planning initiatives supporting youth facing mental health and addiction challenges. His extensive governance experience, combined with his legal expertise and community involvement, has made him a trusted advisor and leader.