HRPA Meeting Details

Neena Gupta is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Employment, Labour & Equalities Group. Her practice focuses on a broad range of employment and human rights matters. She is known for her practical, cost-effective and focused approach to employment law and litigation. Neena has advised a broad range of employers, from start-ups to world-renowned multinationals, on all aspects of employment law, including employment offers and contracts, policies, compensation plans, cross-border employment and regulatory compliance in Canada. Neena regularly advises employers on both compliance and litigation involving the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canada Labour Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Pay Equity Act, and the Employment Standards Act, 2001 (Ontario). A popular and engaging speaker, Neena has been invited to present at the International Bar Association (IBA), Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), the Advocates' Society, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and the International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA). She developed the employment law course at Seneca College and taught at the Faculties of Law at both the University of Toronto and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario as an adjunct professor. She has served as a guest lecturer with the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She is co-chair of the Law Society of Ontario’s prestigious annual Employment Law Summit. She is currently Chair of the United Way of Waterloo Region Communities and has held directorship positions with a wide variety of not-for-profits, including the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers, the Literary Review of Canada, BioTalent Canada, the Advocates' Society and TiE Toronto, which is part of an international network supporting entrepreneurship. Neena served for five years as a governor of the Law Commission of Ontario, which focuses solely on law reform, and served for over a decade on the Rules Committee of the Ontario Superior Court. In 2002, Neena was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee medal in recognition of her service to the legal profession and the community at large. She received a Lexpert Zenith Award in 2017 in recognition of her demonstrated excellence and thought leadership in the legal profession. In 2018, she received the inaugural FEMPOWR award from the Waterloo Region Law Association, as an exemplar of mentorship for female practitioners. She is routinely recognized for her excellence in the areas of Employment and Labour law and Human Rights Law by Lexpert® and Best Lawyers®.

Bill MacGregor is a partner and leads the firm's national Immigration Group. He is based in the Waterloo Region office. His practice focuses exclusively on corporate and business immigration, delivering solutions that support the smooth cross-border movement of foreign nationals and personnel while ensuring employers remain compliant with immigration rules and regulations. Bill brings years of experience advising clients on all aspects of corporate immigration. He regularly assists employers with international transfers and hires. He also helps employers obtain work permits, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) from Service Canada and immigration documentation for accompanying family members of foreign national transferees or recruits. Bill's practice also involves: Developing immigration and work permit strategies and best practices Providing counsel on compliance matters Supporting the cross-border movement of personnel Advising on obtaining permanent resident status and citizenship Bill and the immigration team have successfully supported a large number of Canadian and international companies on immigration matters across a variety of industries and sectors, including information technology, e-commerce, engineering services, infrastructure, mining and resources, energy, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.

Melissa is a partner in Gowling WLG's Waterloo Region office. She practises exclusively in labour and employment law, advising public and private sector organizations on day-to-day human resources matters, human rights, grievance arbitrations, collective bargaining, wrongful dismissals, employment contracts, workplace policies, investigations, and occupational health and safety. She regularly represents clients before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, as well as other administrative tribunals, labour arbitrators, and in court. A sought-after advisor and speaker, Melissa helps employers navigate challenges with strategic and practical advice. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for Labour and Employment Law since 2023, she supports clients in maintaining compliant, productive workplaces.

Michael Piaseczny is an associate in the Advocacy Department of Gowling WLG, particularly practising in employment and commercial litigation. Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Michael completed his JD (cum laude) at the University of Ottawa. During pursuit of his degree, Michael was a senior board member of the Ottawa Law Review and co-editor-in-chief of Inter Alia, the Faculty of Common Law Student Magazine. Michael also served as a research assistant in health law and policy, with a particular focus on COVID-19 policy responses. In the summer of 2020, Michael was awarded a student scholar fellowship at the Law Commission of Ontario. Prior to law school, Michael completed an honours bachelor of arts in political science, master of applied politics and master of political management. During the fulfilment of his second master's degree, Michael worked as a policy analyst at the Hotel Association of Canada, focusing in government and public affairs. Michael is a born and raised resident of Waterloo, having spent many years representing the city in competitive baseball and hockey.