Peterborough and Thousand Islands: Understanding in Ontario Employment Law


Date and Time

Starts:04/28/2021 8:30 AM

Ends:04/28/2021 4:00 PM

Registration Closes:04/27/2021 2:30 PM

Event Type: Webinar

6 Hour(s)

Location:
ON24

Price:

MEMBERS FREE I NON MEMBER $75

Availability

Additional Information

Event Sponsor


Peterborough: 04.28.21 *VIRTUAL* Understanding in Ontario Employment Law

Join the HRPA Peterborough and Thousand Islands Chapters on April 28th, 2021 8:30am - 4:00pm to learn more about employment law in Ontario. Joining the chapter are 5 lawyers each presenting individually as well participating in a question and answer panel at the end of the day.

Develop a broader understanding of employment law in Ontario. Recognize risks associated to health and safety and constructive dismissal during the pandemic. Recall information on privacy challenges and learn how to draft better employment offers.

 

Agenda

8:30 am: Welcome & Introductions

8:45 am - 9:45 am: Chris Russell, LLF Laywers "Workplace Privacy Challenges Due to COVID"

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Christina Persad, Olgetree Deakins International "Health and Safety Considerations in the Time of COVID: Enforcing Mask Mandates, Work Refusals, and Considerations for Remote Workers"

11:00 am-12:00 pm: Michael Comartin, Ogletree Deakins International "Drafting Better Employment Offers - Avoiding Problems Before They Arise"

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Break

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lesley Campbell, Hicks Morley "The Risks of Constructive Dismissal"

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Mark Mason, Hicks Morley "Case Law Review"

3:00 pm-4:00 pm: Q&A panel - All Lawyers Present

During registration, please consider the donation option. Donated funds collected through this event registration will be equally divided between Indspire and Black Youth Helpline, preferred charities identified by HRPA members in a recent survey.

Speaker bio(s)
Lesley Campbell

Lesley Campbell provides practical advice and representation to employers and management in both the private and public sector on a wide-range of labour, employment, and human rights issues such as grievances, wrongful dismissals, and claims of discrimination and harassment. Her practice includes arbitration advocacy, employment litigation, and human rights proceedings. Lesley joined Hicks Morley’s Toronto office as an associate in 2020 after previously completing her articles and working as a general civil litigator at a Toronto litigation boutique. She graduated from law school at the University of Windsor in 2016 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2017. Lesley also holds BA and MA degrees from Western University. In addition to the practice of law, Lesley dedicates her time to a variety of community interests and programs including Lawyers Feed the Hungry, the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, and Canadian Blood Services. Lesley also serves on the Board of Trafalgar Castle School. In her spare time she can be found watching almost any sport and geeking out on Canadian & U.S. politics.


Michael Comartin

Michael is a partner in Ogletree Deakins’ Toronto office. His diverse practice spans all areas of employment law, labour law, privacy, wage and hours issues, human rights, accessibility, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Michael also has experience with class actions, appellate litigation, M&A/restructuring, and general litigation. He regularly represents employers in judicial review proceedings Michael has appeared before the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Divisional Court, the Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and various labour arbitrators. Michael clerked at the Divisional Court. For many years, he appeared in Divisional Court as duty counsel as part of Pro Bono Law Ontario’s amicus project. Michael was awarded the Medal in Law for highest standing in his graduating class. He is the only graduate of Queen’s University to receive three Dean’s Gold Scholar awards for placing first in each year of the JD program. While at Queen’s, Michael served as a research assistant in labour and employment law, including with the Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace.


Mark Mason

Mark Mason is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. His practice includes arbitration advocacy, employment litigation, human rights proceedings and the entire spectrum of collective bargaining, including interest arbitrations and strike management. Mark advises a variety of public and private sector employers and brings a practical and solution-focused approach to the legal services he provides.


Christina Persad

Christina is an associate in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins. Christina completed her articles at the firm. Christina is developing her labour and employment law practice broadly. Christina also draws on her prior experience as a health and safety professional at large corporations to help employers create safe and healthy workplaces. During her articling, Christina assisted in drafting submissions and developing litigation strategy for prosecutions for health and safety offences, and reviewed and drafted policies and programs relating to workplace violence and harassment. Christina holds a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from Ryerson University, and an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University. During her time in law school, Christina was a Research Assistant in the areas of Human Rights, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Labour Organising. Christina also participated as an Oralist on the Osgoode Hall team in the Competition Law Moot, held by the Competition Bureau of Canada before the Federal Court of Appeal. Christina has experience in the fields of health and safety, workers’ compensation, risk assessment, and disability management in the telecommunications, pharmaceutical manufacturing and sustainable energy industries. Christina enjoys playing piano, exercising outdoors, and growing food in her garden.


Chris Russell, Lawyer

Chris began his legal career in 1997 practicing commercial litigation at one of Vancouver’s premier boutique litigation firms. Now living in Peterborough and admitted to the Bar of Ontario, Chris leads the firm’s employment & labour and general litigation practices. A significant portion of Chris' practice relates to construction litigation, including construction lien matters. Chris is experienced with alternative dispute resolution, and can assist clients in pursuing options such as arbitration or mediation.