Michael J. Henry

Michael J. Henry is a founding partner at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP and a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Ontario. He is a personal injury lawyer  and car accident lawyer in Toronto since his call to the Bar in 1988, building a practice centred on motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus and truck collisions, accident benefits, long-term disability, and related personal injury claims across Ontario.

Called to the Ontario Bar: 1988

Michael co-founded Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP in 2000 alongside James Howie and Neil Sacks, after the three partners left Thomson Rogers. He brings to every file over 35 years of courtroom experience – jury trials, judge-alone trials, arbitrations, and motions – against Ontario’s largest insurance companies. His LLB from the University of Ottawa was completed Magna Cum Laude, and his preparation and analytical rigour in litigation reflect the discipline of that academic foundation.

A significant referral network of medical and legal professionals across Ontario sends their patients and clients to Michael when they have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. His reputation was built through results, not advertising – and through a consistent willingness to take a file to trial when a settlement offer doesn’t reflect the actual extent of a client’s losses.

Beyond his legal work, Michael has made a lasting contribution to the spinal cord injury research community. He is the founder of the ‘Personal Injury Bar Charity Hockey Challenge,’ an annual event that has raised over $500,000 for the Canadian Spinal Research Organization. He serves on the CSRO Board of Directors and has previously served as a trustee for the Brain Injury Association of Toronto and the Peel Halton Brain Injury Association  –  commitments that reflect a broader engagement with the injured community beyond his legal practice.

Representative Cases

During his career, Michael has appeared as counsel in a range of significant proceedings:

• Weatherbee v. Province of Ontario (Trial)
• Sheriff v. Soccer City (Trial)
• Saygili v. Progressive Insurance (Motion)
• Robertson v. State Farm Insurance (Trial)
• Rocca v. Axa Insurance (Arbitration)

Practice Areas

• Car, truck, bus, and motorcycle accidents lawyer
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents lawyer
• Recreation and sports injury claims lawyer
• Boating and watercraft accidents
• Accident benefits (SABS) – disputes and denials lawyer
• Long-term and short-term disability claims lawyer
• Slip and fall / occupier’s liability lawyer
• Wrongful death and fatal accident claims lawyer

Awards and Recognition

• Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation – Law Society of Ontario (2013)
• Law Society of Ontario Practice Management Mentor
• Lexpert® Ranked Lawyer – 2026
• Listed in the annual peer-reviewed Canadian legal directory – Personal Injury Category
• Top Personal Injury Law Firms in Canada – Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP (Canadian Lawyer Magazine, annually since 2011)

Professional Memberships and Associations

• Canadian Bar Association
• Ontario Bar Association
• Toronto Lawyers Association
• The Advocates’ Society

Community Involvement

• Canadian Spinal Research Organization (CSRO) – Board Member; Founder of the “Personal Injury Bar Charity Hockey Challenge” (raised $500,000+ for CSRO “Shoot for a Cure” campaign)
• Toronto Lawyers Association – Past Trustee
• Peel Halton Brain Injury Association – Past Trustee
• Brain Injury Association of Toronto – Past Trustee
• Elimu Development Projects – Canadian Ambassador

Education

• Called to the Ontario Bar: 1988
• LLB, Magna Cum Laude – University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law (1986)
• BA (Honours) – McMaster University (1983)