Michelle attended York University, where she graduated with an Honours degree in Political Science in 1998. She distinguished herself academically by earning the Dean’s Scholarship, and by being selected as an Academic All-Canadian for excellence in academics and inter-university sports. Subsequently, Michelle attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, graduating in 2001. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2002.

In 2003, Michelle joined the Pace Law Firm as personal injury lawyer. Since then, she has represented her clients in litigating serious claims—including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, long-term disability claims and historic personal injury and sexual abuse claims. With respect to motor vehicle accidents, Michelle has a special interest in representing the victims of motorcycle accidents. Although she is based in the GTA, Michelle has represented clients residing throughout Ontario—from Kingston to Windsor, and from the Niagara Region to Collingwood. Michelle also regularly works at Pace Law Firm’s Kenora office and represents clients in Kenora and its surrounding areas.

Michelle has served as arbitration counsel before the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, and the License and Appeals Tribunal. She has also appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, successfully serving as trial co-counsel, as well as the Ontario Court of Appeal. As co-counsel, Michelle has conducted trials in both jury and judge alone proceedings. In 2015, Michelle served as trial co-counsel, representing a client who had sustained a severe brain injury as a result of a jail-house beating. In a landmark decision, the court ruled in Michelle’s client’s favour, awarding him $3.2 million dollars in damages. Michelle served as co-counsel in successfully defending the decision before the Ontario Court of Appeal.

In 2017, Michelle was awarded her accreditation as a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation from the Law Society of Ontario; a distinction which fewer than 2% of Ontario’s lawyers have achieved. The Certified Specialist designation recognizes lawyers who have distinguished themselves—by virtue of their professional knowledge, expertise, and experience—in specific areas of law.