Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Labour and Employment Law
Vince Panetta is an experienced labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Kingston office. He advises a range of employers in the public and private sectors on all matters of employment law, labour relations, privacy and human rights. Vince appears before a variety of adjudicators and tribunals including grievance arbitrators, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. In addition, Vince often advises and acts for clients engaged in collective barg...
Niiti practices in the areas of human rights, professional regulation, long term disability litigation, civil litigation, employment and labour law, pay equity and administrative law. Niiti is a creative and practically minded lawyer who serves diverse client communities including individuals, associations and unions. Niiti has particular expertise in health, human rights and disability. Niiti has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as the Supreme Court of Canad...
David is a trusted advisor who is known for his unique ability to cut through the noise, develop an effective strategy and achieve the desired outcome. No stranger to the courtroom, David has represented clients in numerous trials, applications, appeals, mediations and arbitrations. Although he is respected for his willingness to “fight” when necessary, clients appreciate David’s ability to recognize when a negotiated resolution best serves their interests. David’s pra...
Bernie‘s practice focuses on arbitration and labour board representation for numerous private and public sector unions both federally and provincially. Bernie also specializes in education law and represents teacher federations and their members in matters arising under collective agreements and before the Ontario College of Teachers. Bernie provides policy and strategic advice to clients, in the area of collective bargaining, and collective agreement administration. He has a special in...
Christopher Sinal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Christopher, who practices law in London, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
A recognized leader and advocate, Carissa Tanzola is committed to delivering strategic business solutions while navigating legal challenges with integrity and efficiency. As the current Managing Partner of the Firm, she leads with innovation and passion, driving success for both her clients and the firm Carissa provides employers with expert legal guidance and representation for complex workplace issues. Her practice has a special focus in workplace health and safety, workers’ compensat...
Howard Goldblatt is a leading member of the labour law Bar. His practice focuses on all aspects of labour and employment law, including grievance and interest arbitration, workplace human rights, and pensions and benefits law. Howard is also widely regarded for his expertise in collective bargaining and provides clients with strategic advice for special legislative campaigns. In addition to representing clients before a wide variety of administrative tribunals, Howard has appeared as counsel ...
Wade has dedicated his legal career to ensuring that the voices of marginalized members of our communities are heard. The law is an instrument of social change and when the law does not protect those who need it the most, the law needs to change. Wade passionately advocates for his clients and his practice is dedicated to human rights, union-side labour law and employment law. Wade currently serves as the Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human R...
John Saunders is a senior labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He has over three decades of experience advising employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues. John’s practice includes collective agreement negotiations, rights and interest arbitrations, human rights applications and wrongful dismissal litigation. John has particular expertise in municipal law with regard to fire and paramedic issues. He provides ongoing negotiation advice to fi...
Carol has over 20 years of experience in all areas of management labour relations and employment law. She articled with the firm in 1996 and joined the partnership in 2004. Carol represents a wide range of unionized and non-union clients in both the federal and provincial jurisdictions. Her clients, both large and small businesses, operate in all sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, sports, social services, and information technology. She also represents municipalities and broader...
Jackie practices in the areas of Labour, Constitutional, Public Law and Indigenous Rights. She has litigated at all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also appeared before many administrative tribunals. With an extensive background in writing policy, Jackie has written many policy submissions aimed at government, inquiries and public advocacy. She was also a researcher and writer for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final rep...
Bettina Burgess is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Bettina, who practices law in Kitchener, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bettina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ellen Bessner is an experienced, tough-minded commercial litigator, known for her determination and common sense advice. After 25 years of practice on Bay Street at prominent Canadian law firms, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Gowling WLG, Ellen joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2014, where she is a leader in commercial and securities litigation, employment litigation, insurance defence, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, class actions, and regulator...
Michael Wright is one of the founding partners at Wright Henry LLP. Since his call to the Ontario Bar in 1991 he has become recognized as one of Canada’s leading labour and employment lawyers, noted for his direct and thoughtful advice, nuanced and strategic approach, and proven track record of achieving excellent, real-world results. In his employment law practice, Michael advises and advocates for senior executives and professionals in all employment-related matters. He has extensive ...
Behzad is a Partner at Israel Foulon Wong LLP and obtained his common law and civil law degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law. He has practiced employment law since his call to the Ontario Bar. Behzad provides both employees and employers with exceptional and cost-effective service regarding a wide range of human resources-related issues, including wrongful dismissals, terminations and severance packages, employment standards, human rights and accommodation, employment agreeme...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.