Former Attorney General Michael Bryant Joins Toronto Law Firm
Posted December 5, 2009 1:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Former political star Michael Bryant is back at work, quietly acting as a senior adviser for a top law firm in Toronto.
The former attorney general, who is facing criminal charges stemming from an accident with a cyclist in August, started this week with Ogilvy Renault and is working with the firm’s energy law team.
“Our view is Michael has the depth, has the expertise that he understands issues, which are particular to the energy sector of infrastructure spending and we believe he can bring a lot of value,” said John West, a senior partner at the firm.
As a former minister for economic development in Ontario, West said Bryant was “imminently placed” to assist clients and provide advice and direction.
A changing energy sector in Ontario means more transitions and new players entering the field, and West said Bryant was perfectly placed to help the firm.
Bryant has close ties with the lawyers at Ogilvy Renault.
According to West, the firm has been courting Bryant on-and-off for a year, after he left the government to become CEO of Invest Toronto.
But the discussions about a job at the firm didn’t come to fruition until more recently.
“We feel very strongly that Michael is entitled to a presumption of innocence,” said West, adding he did not want to “pre-judge” the difficult circumstances Bryant is facing.
“He should not be treated to a lesser standard than anyone else would be.”
West said the firm’s primary focus was having someone on the team who would benefit Ogilvy Renault, and West said the firm had no hesitation hiring Bryant, having been “impressed by him” for a long time.
“We also took into account that he’s entitled to earn a living, and he can bring value, and for us when we took all these factors into account it was not a difficult decision at all. We’re very excited about it,” said West.
Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death following an altercation with cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard on Aug. 31 in Toronto.
Police say the incident began with a “minor collision” between Bryant and Sheppard on a busy downtown street which resulted in Sheppard grabbing onto the side of a car.
Sheppard then fell under the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries.
The Crown has yet to disclose the details of its case against Bryant.
The next court date is set for Dec. 7.
