Michael F. Welsh, QC is a member of the LLB class of 1980. He is a professionally certified mediator and arbitrator and a partner at the litigation and mediation firm Mott Welsh & Associates, based in Penticton, BC.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Welsh graduated with a BA philosophy, cum laude, from Cornell University (1975). Following graduation from UBC’s law school, Mr. Welsh clerked at the BC Supreme Court. He went on to complete his articles at Russel & DuMoulin (now known as Fasken).
Mr. Welsh has significantly contributed to the legal community as a leader of many professional associations. From 2016-2017, Mr. Welsh was the President of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch (CBABC), where he promoted a higher calibre of legal aid throughout the province. As a strong advocate for alternative dispute resolution, Mr. Welsh has also held the title of President of the BC Arbitration & Mediation Institute (BCAMI). In 2017, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. He was elected as a 2018-2020 Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia for the Okanagan. Furthermore, Mr. Welsh’s writing, including a wine column, has been regularly published in legal magazines such as CBABC’s BarTalk, the Advocate.
Mr. Welsh is also an active community member outside of the legal profession. As a former commercial vineyard operator with a strong passion for wine, Mr. Welsh was a two-term President of the BC Grape Growers’ Association. He was also President of the Rotary Clubs in Sechelt and Osoyoos.
For more, read a Profile on Michael F. Welsh in the Advocate, 74 (2006).