Biography: Corporate Tax

Michael McLaren is a partner working out of the Vancouver and Toronto offices of Thorsteinssons LLP. He received a BSc (genetics/mathematics) from the University of Victoria and a LLB (concentration in taxation) from the University of Western Ontario where he earned a number of awards for academic achievement, including the Thorsteinssons Award in International Tax Law, the Stikeman Elliott-Carswell National Tax Scholarship, and the Law Society of Upper Canada Prize. Michael has been called to the Bar in British Columbia and Ontario.

Michael's practice focuses on corporate and international tax planning, regularly advising Canadian and foreign-based multi-national groups on a variety of matters, including: inbound and outbound investment and financing; mergers and acquisitions; divestitures; restructurings; and natural resource taxation. Michael acts for a number of Canadian and foreign-based multi-national companies that operate in the following industries: natural resources; real estate; aerospace and defence; paper and household products; pharmaceuticals; financial services; and industrial engineering.

Michael speaks and writes frequently on international and mining tax matters. In addition, Michael is on the editorial board of the CCH Income Tax Act (international tax provisions) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, the International Fiscal Association, the International Bar Association and the CBA tax subsection.

Michael is listed in Law Business Research's 2010 and 2011 The International Who's Who of Corporate Tax Lawyers, 2011 and 2012 The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers and its 2010 and 2011 Canada Special Report Who's Who Legal: Canada.

In addition to his legal practice, Michael serves on the board of directors of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.