Michel L. DesNeiges is a lifelong resident of Moncton with deep Maritime roots as a lawyer, community organizer and athlete.

Since 2008, Michel has specialized in the areas of Environmental Law and Criminal Law. As a trial lawyer, he has appeared before most levels of courts in New Brunswick, including provincial courts, superior courts and courts of appeal.

Before law school, Michel obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Environmental Studies. His community involvement included volunteering with local organizations and working on environmental protection projects. In the 1990s, he was the host of radio and television programs that promoted environmental issues.

In 1999, Michel teamed up with renowned environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to found a local Riverkeeper program that was instrumental in restoring the Petitcodiac River. More recently he ran an environmental law clinic with law students to provide free legal services to community groups.

As a goaltender in hockey, Michel played on championship teams at the high school, junior and college levels, including a national title with the University of Moncton Blue Eagles in 1989-90. That team was recently inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

Michel began training in the Martial Arts at about the same time he entered law school. He earned his black belt with Maritime Shinkyokushin Karate. He has been to Japan and trained with some of the world’s foremost karate masters.

Michel is a world traveler, having visited and back-packed nearly 50 countries over the last 25 years, including more recent trips to Asia and the Himalayas.