Michael J. Laws is a Principal with DMC Engineering Inc. based in Kelowna, BC, with over 25 years of consulting experience in the engineering sector specializing in linear infrastructure and dams.

Michael has been involved in the investigation, geotechnical analysis and design of major linear infrastructure projects throughout western Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, including several P3 projects. He has broad geotechnical investigation and design experience, including analysis and design of soil and rock slopes, rock fall assessments, geotechnical design of shallow and deep foundations, seismic and liquefaction analyses, forensic geotechnical assessments, and geostructure design across a range of market sectors. Michael has undertaken many forensic geotechnical assessments of slopes, landslides, rocks fall, retaining walls and foundation performance, including for mitigation, insurance and legal purposes. He also specializes in emergency response to assess life and structural safety, implementation of temporary works and evacuation requirements relating to slopes, landslides, debris flows, rock fall, retaining walls, dams and erosion for municipalities, the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

Michael’s experience in dam engineering, includes undertaking dam safety reviews of existing dams, intrusive geotechnical investigations, design and construction supervision of new dams and specialized analysis of existing dams and appurtenant structures. He has successfully completed dam safety inspections, dam safety reviews, design and engineering assessments of over 100 dams in western and northern Canada over the past 10 years for a variety of dam owners including municipalities, utilities and mining companies, and is very familiar with the requirements of the Canadian Dam Association, Dam Safety Guidelines 2007 (2013 edition) and the BC Dam Safety Regulation. He is experienced with specialized geotechnical, structural stability and hydrotechnical modelling software for modelling embankment stability, seismic performance, seepage, settlement, dam breach and inundation.