Administrative and Public Law Labour and Employment Law
George Avraam
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Biography
George practices trial and appellate litigation. He has been lead counsel on cases before administrative tribunals, trial courts, and courts of appeal, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He represents parties in high-profile and reputation threatening cases, such as large-stakes labour and employment litigation, class actions, fraud (financial and otherwise), governance matters, shareholder and partnership disputes, and administrative and public law issues, including those involving the Charter.
George also provides high-value, complex strategic advice to Boards and executive leadership teams. He has advised on several matters, including domestic and cross-border investigations, crisis management, executive compensation, and governance issues.
Practice Focus
George has a broad trial and appellate litigation practice that is focused on complex litigation. Prominent ranking agencies have rated him as one of Canada's leading labour, employment, administrative, and public law litigators.
Referring to George, Chambers Canada quotes clients: "George is simply outstanding. He's highly talented, intelligent and an exemplary lawyer." "He is calm in a crisis, thoughtful in his advice and measured in his actions." "He is amazing, is unbelievably responsive, understands our needs, our culture, our context. He gives us clear advice and is always aligned with the bigger picture." "George provides great guidance and advice. He understands the business, our risk tolerance, and the direction we like to take matters." "He has a great ability to devise strategy for complex matters." Legal 500 said: "Primarily recognized for its management of complex employment and labour disputes, with Toronto managing partner George Avraam particularly sought after in this sphere, the team also advises on regulatory compliance, labour relations and transactional support."
He is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, is ranked in Benchmark Litigation, Chambers (Band 2), Legal 500 (Leading Individual), Lexpert, Who's Who Legal (Canada and Global), and Best Lawyers in Canada. The Law Society of Ontario has also designated George as a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation.
Overview
- English
- Greek
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LL.M. Administrative Law, graduated 2002
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LL.B., graduated 1997
- York University, B.A., graduated 1993
- Ontario, 1999
- Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers - Member
- Canadian Association of University Solicitors - Member
- Law Society of Ontario - Member
- The Advocates' Society - Member
- English
- Greek
- Ontario, 1999
- Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers - Member
- Canadian Association of University Solicitors - Member
- Law Society of Ontario - Member
- The Advocates' Society - Member
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LL.M. Administrative Law, graduated 2002
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LL.B., graduated 1997
- York University, B.A., graduated 1993
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2026 for work in:
- Administrative and Public Law
- Labour and Employment Law
News & Media
Insights
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 4)
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 4)
GA![Best Lawyers logo]()
George
Avraam
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 3)
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 3)
GA![Best Lawyers logo]()
George
Avraam
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 2)
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 2)
GA![Best Lawyers logo]()
George
Avraam
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 1)
The Canadian Employers’ Reopening Playbook (Part 1)
GA![Best Lawyers logo]()
George
Avraam
Case History
Cases
- Representative Legal Matters
- Lead counsel to a security company in an off-the-clock employment class action, which resulted in a settlement of less than 10% of the claim.
- Lead counsel in Andros v. Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. 2019 ONCA 679, which addressed the enforceability of termination clauses.
- Lead counsel in Krishnamoorthy v. Olympus Canada Inc. 2017 ONCA 873, in which the Ontario Court of Appeal found that fresh consideration was not required for a termination clause that was secured as part of an offer of employment in an asset transaction. The Supreme Court denied leave to appeal.
- Lead counsel in Bart v. McMaster University 2016 ONSC 5747 (Can LII), in which he successfully represented McMaster University in one of the most significant judicial reviews involving internal university administrative tribunals.
- Lead counsel in Holland v. Hostopia.com, 2015 ONCA 762 in which he successfully upheld the trial court's findings that the Plaintiff was not entitled to commissions arising out of a transaction.
- Lead counsel in Pate Estate v. The Corporation of the Township of Galway-Cavendish and Harvey (2013), 117 O.R. (3d) 481 on the scope and purpose of punitive damage awards.
- Lead counsel for the intervener, the Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada, at the Supreme Court of Canada in Plourde v. Wal-Mart Canada Corporation, 2009 SCC 54 and Desbiens et al. v. Wal-Mart Canada Corporation, 2009 SCC 55.Lead counsel for the intervener, the Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada, at the Supreme Court of Canada in Honda Canada Inc. operating as Honda of Canada Mfg. v. Kevin Keays: 2008 SCC 39.Lead counsel for Sony of Canada Ltd., 2015 ONSC 5859, in Riskie v. Sony of Canada Ltd., in which he secured a complete dismissal of all claims in a motion for summary judgment.
- Lead litigation counsel for Wal-Mart Canada Corp. in a successful defence of a certification application and an unfair labour practice before the Ontario Labour Relations Board in UFCW Canada v. Wal-Mart Canada Corp., 2011 CanLII 44470 (ON LRB).
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