At Sorbara, Schumacher, McCann LLP, we recognize that effective management of human resources is crucial to a business’ success in today’s competitive marketplace. Our lawyers have extensive experience in all aspects of employment law. We have an in-depth knowledge of the current legislation affecting employers and employees and we provide meaningful advice on how new developments in the law and technology can impact your employment relationships.

We regularly assist our clients with the development of human resource strategies that are designed to avoid workplace disputes and litigation. We provide pro-active advice at the formation of the employment relationship in an order to minimize the number of issues that may arise at the conclusion of the relationship. In this regard, we assist in the negotiation and preparation of sophisticated employment contracts, collateral agreements, and restrictive covenants. We are available to review and assist in the preparation of employment policies and procedures and provide advice to both employer and employee clients on a wide variety of issues that arise throughout the employment relationship. We also provide meaningful guidance and effective strategies for addressing downsizing, changes to the terms of employment and termination of employment. Our lawyers constantly work to ensure that our clients are in compliance with federal and provincial regulations. We advise on issues involving employment standards, pay equity, human rights, worker’s compensation, and occupational health and safety.

Although our emphasis is on developing a strategy that will minimize disputes, we recognize that, despite appropriate pro-active measures, the termination of an employment relationship can often lead to litigation. Accordingly, our lawyers advise employers and employees alike on issues surrounding termination and severance and we provide effective representation in wrongful dismissal and other employment-related litigation. Since we act on behalf of employers and employees, we are able to provide a unique perspective and insight for our clients throughout the litigation process.

Our goal is to ensure that our clients obtain favourable results in the most cost-effective manner. We are often able to obtain favourable settlements through effective negotiation and the use of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods. However, when it becomes necessary to pursue these matters before the court, we have a keen understanding of the issues involved in wrongful dismissal and employment-related litigation and we adopt an aggressive approach in order to secure the most favourable result possible for our clients. Indeed, our lawyers have excelled in courtroom advocacy before all levels of courts in Ontario and numerous tribunals, including the Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Whether you are an employer or an employee with employment issues that have arisen at the outset of an employment relationship, during the course of the employment relationship, or as a result of the termination of employment, Sorbara, Schumacher, McCann LLP is well-positioned to assist you in achieving a cost-effective and proactive resolution.