It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Partner, friend and colleague, Michael McQuaid. Mike passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4 following a period of illness due to cancer, which he approached with bravery and determination.
Mike joined the firm as an associate in 1965 and became a leader in our Municipal Group. He was a strong advocate with a deep understanding of municipal law and the development world. Mike appeared before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and the Courts involving environmental, expropriation and other matters. Many of his colleagues have fond memories of seeing Mike “in action”– his expertise was admirable.
“Mike was a formidable lawyer with a grace and humour which made him always a pleasure to learn from and practice with,” says Bruce Engell, chair of WeirFoulds’ Municipal and Land Use Planning Practice Group. “As I have heard from many lawyers, he was also a pleasure to have cases against. He was a sterling example of the kind of advocate we strive to be and was a role model for so many of us.”
In 1979, Mike was appointed Queen’s Counsel and went on to be recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada in numerous directories throughout his career.
We will remember Mike as a kind and gracious man, as well as for his deep love and devotion to his wife and children. We are grateful for the contributions that Mike made to WeirFoulds. He is deeply missed by his colleagues in the Municipal Group and friends from around the firm.