Southwest (London): HYBRID Employment Law in Practice: Strategic Insights with FWTA


Date and Time:

Starts: 03/10/2026 8:15 AM

Ends: 03/10/2026 11:45 AM

Registration Closes:03/03/2026 8:00 AM

Event Type: Professional Development

2.67 CPD Hour(s)

Location:
Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre 591 Wellington Rd London, Ontario

Price:

HRPA Members: FREE (included in membership dues)

Non-Members: IN-PERSON: $80 + tax

Non-Members: VIRTUAL: $35 + tax

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Availability

Additional Information

THIS EVENT WILL NOT BE RECORDED. REMINDER! Our cancellation policy has changed. Click here for more information.

CONNECTORS - To foster connection, support, and engagement within the HRPA community, we wish to pair IN-PERSON Chapter event attendees with experienced member "Connectors".

HELPERS - Interested in helping as a greeter, registration desk helper, speaker support and/or runner at an upcoming IN-PERSON Chapter event.

For both of these volunteer opportunities, you must: 1) select IN-PERSON registration; 2) check off the box during registration indicating how you wish to volunteer (as a Connector OR a Helper); and 3) login to "Volunteer with HRPA" to sign up. Thank you for volunteering to help!

Event Sponsor


We are happy to bring back our ever-popular morning session with the team from Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP. Keeping pace with employment law can be challenging. Legislative changes, evolving case law, changing workplace norms, and emerging technology continue to reshape the HR landscape, making it essential for professionals to stay informed and proactive.

This morning session with FWTA will provide you with clear, actionable guidance on the legal issues that matter most to your organization. Building on the strength of our Fall 2025 session—which covered health and safety in the workplace, managing layoffs, immigration essentials, and key legislative and case law updates—we're focusing this session on the timely challenges HR leaders are managing now:

  • Essential labour and employment updates: the latest in current and expected amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Canada Labour Code and how to ensure your organization stays compliant
  • Managing complex accommodations: supporting employees’ return to the office, what to do if an employee no longer qualifies for long-term disability benefits, and when to consider if the employment agreement has been frustrated
  • Best practices in workplace investigations: key principles for effective investigations, including managing whistleblower protections and retaliation claims
  • Termination Without the Risk: Strategies for managing dismissals, avoiding costly wrongful dismissal claims, and key trends in employment law litigation 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the latest legislative changes affecting Ontario and federally regulated employers and ensure your policies reflect current requirements
  • Navigate difficult accommodation situations with confidence, from hybrid work arrangements to LTD transitions and contract frustration
  • Conduct fair, thorough, and legally compliant workplace investigations while protecting whistleblowers and preventing retaliation
  • Manage employee terminations effectively to avoid costly wrongful dismissal claims and stay ahead of evolving case law trends

Agenda:

8:15AM    Welcome, Breakfast and Networking 

8:40AM   Opening Remarks

Virtual attendees can log in 15 minutes early and will remain in the lobby until the presentation begins.

8:45AM     Presentations | Q and A 

10:05AM   Short break

10:20AM   Presentations | Q and A

11:45AM    Event Concludes

Registration Closes: March 3, 2026 at 8:00AM...or sooner if it sells out! 

Registration Difficulties or Questions: Please reach out to  Bobbi-Lyn Smith Specialist, Member Engagement 

Speaker bio(s)
Cassandra da Costa

Cassandra is a senior associate in Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti’s London office. Her practice covers the full spectrum of labour and employment law, including collective bargaining, labour disputes, grievance arbitrations, human rights, wrongful dismissal litigation, employment standards, employment contracts, and workplace policies. She is known for her collaborative and practical approach to resolving complex workplace issues and for building long-term, trusted relationships with the employers she serves. Cassandra works with a wide range of private, not-for-profit, and public-sector employers, including social services, childcare, technology, manufacturing, financial services, construction, transportation, professional services, and other privately owned and public organizations. She provides strategic, business-focused guidance tailored to each organization’s culture, operational realities, and risk profile. Her clients frequently view her as an extension of their internal team—someone who brings clarity and steady, solutions-oriented advice to both day-to-day challenges and high-stakes workplace matters. Before joining Filion, Cassandra practiced at a boutique management-side labour and employment firm in London. Earlier in her career, she represented a major U.S. city in collective bargaining, labour disputes, and employment and human rights matters. Her background working with public organizations has equipped her with valuable insight into complex organizational dynamics, governance structures, and unique labour relations environments. Having practiced labour and employment law in multiple jurisdictions, Cassandra is also well-positioned to assist U.S.-based employers navigating Canadian workplace laws and regulatory frameworks. Cassandra is committed to the London community and frequently works with local social service organizations and employers to help them address evolving workplace issues with confidence, clarity, and compassion.


Casey Dockendorff

Casey is a partner with Fiion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP, where she practices out of their London, Ontario office. Casey practises in all areas of labour and employment law. She acts for a wide variety of union and non-union clients in both the public and private sectors. Casey's practice focuses on public sector work, where she represents a number of municipalities, school boards, hospitals, and other broader public sector clients. Casey spends a considerable amount of her time on employment-related civil litigation matters, including wrongful dismissals, constructive dismissals, breach of restrictive covenant claims, and human rights disputes. Casey has acted as counsel in many arbitrations, wrongful dismissals, and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Human Rights Tribunal. She provides regular and ongoing advice to her clients in respect to all labour and employment matters.


Brian MacDonald

Brian has been a partner at Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP since 2016. He articled with the firm in 2009 before joining as an associate in 2010. Brian practises in all areas of labour and employment law. He acts for a wide variety of union and non-union clients, including federally-regulated clients. He has acted as counsel in many significant arbitrations, wrongful dismissals, and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Human Rights Tribunal. He has also advised on and coordinated litigation strategy with employer associations and their members, both during the open season/raiding period and during the subsequent litigation. He regularly advises on WSIB issues as well as occupational health and safety matters. Brian’s practice has a particular focus on the construction industry and the transportation sector. He regularly appears before the Ontario Labour Relations Board representing construction industry clients in section 133 grievances, jurisdictional disputes, related employer/sale of business matters, Applications for Certification and unfair labour practices. Brian has significant experience collective bargaining. He has appeared as lead spokesperson for both federally and provincially regulated companies in both the public and private sector and in any number industries, including manufacturing, trucking, construction, professional services, and social welfare. He provides advice on drafting collective agreement language, and is a co-author of a major text on the subject. He also assists employers through the conciliation, strike, and injunction process where necessary. Brian believes in providing clients practical, efficient solutions to manage complex workplace situations. Brian is a father of four (and aware that that is probably more than enough), an avid reader, a collector of vinyl, and a fan of the Blue Jays and Raptors.


Darren Avery

Darren is a partner with the firm, and is based in our London office. He practices in all areas of labour and employment law, including related litigation. A major focus of Darren’s practice is occupational health and safety law. He frequently assists clients in dealing with regulators and enforcement agencies. This includes reviewing orders, helping ensure compliance with applicable legislation, and, when necessary, appealing orders. Darren also often advises clients on issues such as joint health and safety committees, critical injuries, and workplace violence and harassment issues. Darren defends employers, corporations, and individuals when they face charges related to workplace incidents, including injuries and fatalities. Such charges can lead to severe consequences, including major fines and/or imprisonment. Darren ensures clients are fully informed of their legal rights and are in the best position to respond to any charges against them. Darren has years of experience representing clients of all sizes, from small family-owned businesses to multinational corporations. He also represents public sector clients including hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary institutions. Darren is a persuasive and effective advocate who has appeared at various levels of court in Ontario, at arbitration hearings, and at various administrative tribunals including the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Human Rights Tribunal.