Michelle's practice is focused on real property, including infrastructure, construction, public private partnerships, procurement and commercial real estate.
Michelle has extensive experience in commercial leasing transactions and regularly advises landlords, tenants and property managers on commercial leasing matters in the shopping centre, retail, office, mixed-use and industrial space leasing sectors.
Michelle also advises clients on the financing, acquisition and disposition of real estate assets, and on the re-zoning, subdivision, development and building permit processes.
As a member of the firm's Capital Projects group, Michelle acts for bidders, contractors and public authorities on the development of large infrastructure projects, including hospitals, educational institutions, transportation, wastewater treatment plants and energy developments.
Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Michelle served as in-house legal counsel to a leading commercial real estate owner, operator and developer with a Canadian portfolio of best-in-class office, retail and mixed-use properties valued at around $31 billion. There, she advised on commercial leasing, procurement and property management.
In the community, Michelle serves on the board of directors of The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society, a not-for-profit cultural organization operating the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and on the board of directors of Atira Women's Resource Society, a not-for-profit organization committed to the work of ending violence against women. Michelle regularly volunteers as a clinician for Access Pro Bono Society of BC and has served on the board of directors of Commercial Real Estate Women Vancouver (CREW Vancouver), a non-profit association seeking to advance the achievements of women in the industry. She also served for a number of years on the organizing committee for Arts Umbrella's annual fundraising gala.