A ‘next generation’ cannabis industry expert and strategist, Michael Garbuz shapes ideas with stakeholders across the industry, from corporate finance specialists to PhD scientists. Michael joined the Toronto-based corporate law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP after earning a Law degree from the University of Toronto, and an Honours Specialization Degree in Biological and Medical Sciences from Western University. At Cassels Brock, he was able to build, lead and significantly grow the firm’s cannabis industry group. Michael thrives on business challenges and is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship. His corporate law experience focuses on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, going-public transactions, as well as private equity and venture capital. He has represented and worked with a cross section of public and private companies and investment dealers in domestic and cross-border transactions, and worked to negotiate and structure various commercial agreements including share and asset purchase agreements, as well as various partnership and joint venture agreements. Michael’s life science background, coupled with his extensive experience in the legal and business fields, are formidable assets in helping develop and advance the research-driven future of cannabis products and the industry’s emerging medical and health innovations.