The 2020 HR Law Conference

David is a highly sought after lawyer with expertise in employment law and a senior partner at Whitten & Lublin, a Toronto-based employment law firm focusing on the strategic resolution of complex workplace issues and challenges for both employers and employees.

What sets David apart is his abiding belief in fairness. He holds that the most productive and successful work environments are those in which both the employer and employees are treated with respect. This ethical standard makes him a compelling advocate in negotiations or in court and an opponent to be reckoned with.

David also places great stock in flexibility and finding solutions through negotiated resolution. However, he is also a tenacious litigator. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and a range of tribunals, including: The Ontario Labour Relations Board, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

For private and public sector employers, he has provided knowledgeable counsel on a broad range of issues, including: workplace safety and insurance, employment standards, human rights, hiring, terminations, involuntary and voluntary buyouts and common law obligations in Canada.

David’s expertise and straight talk are widely recognized in Toronto media circles. His viewpoint has been sought by The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and The National Post, and he has commentated on employment issues in interviews with CBC Radio One’s, Here and Now, and News Talk 1010. He is also frequently asked to speak on employment issues by The Human Resources Professional Association, The Canadian Payroll Association and the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.

In 2013, Lexpert named David as a litigator to watch in its US Guide to Leading Cross-border Lawyers. Since 2015, David has been ranked by Lexpert as a leading practitioner frequently recommended for his work with both employers and employees. Whitten & Lublin has been consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top 10 labour and employment law firms since 2018. He also co-authored “HR Manager’s Guide to Independent Contractors in the Workplace” which was published by Carswell.

James Heeney is a partner at Heeney Vokey LLP. He provides advice to both employers and employees on all areas of employment law. James is driven to create a firm that focuses on integrity and attention to detail but which also provides advice which is cost effective and timely. He works diligently to ensure his clients make strategic and educated long term decisions.

His employer side practice focuses on providing strategic daily advice and litigation support. He assists clients with employment agreements, policy manuals, terminations and human rights issues. James also has significant experience advising clients on drafting and litigating breaches of restrictive covenants.

In respect of the employee side of his practice, James routinely advises clients on issues relating to executive compensation, employment contracts, terminations and human rights.

James is an experienced workplace investigator having performed investigations in respect of all areas of employment law. James has experience performing complex investigations in both the unionized and non-unionized workplaces in which there is a need for both thorough and timely reporting. Before founding Heeney Vokey LLP, James gained valuable experience practicing at a large national firm as well as a boutique employment law firm. James graduated from Queen’s University, and was called to the bar in 2004. Upon graduating from Queen’s James was awarded the prize for overall academic achievement, as well as the Law Society’s Award of Excellence. James was named by the Canadian HR Reporter, a national employment law magazine, as a leading employment lawyer in Toronto.

James has significant experience performing speaking engagements, seminars and writing articles. James has spoken on all areas of employment law and workplace investigations on behalf of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Federated Press and the Learning Forum amongst others. He has gained a successful reputation and has proven his skills in creating and facilitating employment law seminars in an understanding and comprehensive format which has resulted in invitations to speak at several organizations annual conferences.

James has written numerous articles for several employment law forums and has published articles with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation which may be found at cbcnews.ca with respect to the area of employment law

David Whitten

Partner, Whitten & Lublin PC

David is a highly sought after lawyer with expertise in employment law and a senior partner at Whitten & Lublin, a Toronto-based employment law firm focusing on the strategic resolution of complex workplace issues and challenges for both employers and employees.

What sets David apart is his abiding belief in fairness. He holds that the most productive and successful work environments are those in which both the employer and employees are treated with respect. This ethical standard makes him a compelling advocate in negotiations or in court and an opponent to be reckoned with.

David also places great stock in flexibility and finding solutions through negotiated resolution. However, he is also a tenacious litigator. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and a range of tribunals, including: The Ontario Labour Relations Board, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

For private and public sector employers, he has provided knowledgeable counsel on a broad range of issues, including: workplace safety and insurance, employment standards, human rights, hiring, terminations, involuntary and voluntary buyouts and common law obligations in Canada.

David’s expertise and straight talk are widely recognized in Toronto media circles. His viewpoint has been sought by The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and The National Post, and he has commentated on employment issues in interviews with CBC Radio One’s, Here and Now, and News Talk 1010. He is also frequently asked to speak on employment issues by The Human Resources Professional Association, The Canadian Payroll Association and the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.

In 2013, Lexpert named David as a litigator to watch in its US Guide to Leading Cross-border Lawyers. Since 2015, David has been ranked by Lexpert as a leading practitioner frequently recommended for his work with both employers and employees. Whitten & Lublin has been consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top 10 labour and employment law firms since 2018. He also co-authored “HR Manager’s Guide to Independent Contractors in the Workplace” which was published by Carswell.

James Heeney

Partner, Heeney Vokey LLP

James Heeney is a partner at Heeney Vokey LLP. He provides advice to both employers and employees on all areas of employment law. James is driven to create a firm that focuses on integrity and attention to detail but which also provides advice which is cost effective and timely. He works diligently to ensure his clients make strategic and educated long term decisions.

His employer side practice focuses on providing strategic daily advice and litigation support. He assists clients with employment agreements, policy manuals, terminations and human rights issues. James also has significant experience advising clients on drafting and litigating breaches of restrictive covenants.

In respect of the employee side of his practice, James routinely advises clients on issues relating to executive compensation, employment contracts, terminations and human rights.

James is an experienced workplace investigator having performed investigations in respect of all areas of employment law. James has experience performing complex investigations in both the unionized and non-unionized workplaces in which there is a need for both thorough and timely reporting. Before founding Heeney Vokey LLP, James gained valuable experience practicing at a large national firm as well as a boutique employment law firm. James graduated from Queen’s University, and was called to the bar in 2004. Upon graduating from Queen’s James was awarded the prize for overall academic achievement, as well as the Law Society’s Award of Excellence. James was named by the Canadian HR Reporter, a national employment law magazine, as a leading employment lawyer in Toronto.

James has significant experience performing speaking engagements, seminars and writing articles. James has spoken on all areas of employment law and workplace investigations on behalf of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Federated Press and the Learning Forum amongst others. He has gained a successful reputation and has proven his skills in creating and facilitating employment law seminars in an understanding and comprehensive format which has resulted in invitations to speak at several organizations annual conferences.

James has written numerous articles for several employment law forums and has published articles with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation which may be found at cbcnews.ca with respect to the area of employment law

Khalfan Khalfan is an associate practicing in the Employment & Labour Group. Khalfan practices all aspects of employment and labour law on behalf of employers in Ontario, and advises clients on a variety of issues relating to employment and labour matters, including employment standards, privacy, human rights, occupational health and safety, and employee terminations. In his immigration practice, Khalfan advises employers on business immigration requirements.

Matt is a founding partner at Duntrune LLP and has 15+ years of experience in employment law. He advises on a wide range of employment matters from hiring through termination and everything in between. Regularly participating in mediations and arbitrations, Matt has also appeared before various courts and administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (including the Employment Standards Branch), the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Federal Court of Appeal.

Megan Burkett is McMaster University’s Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment. She provides advice and counsel on labour, employment and related human rights legal matters including employment standards, employment contracts, terminations, grievances, arbitrations, collective agreement interpretation and harassment.

Khalfan Khalfan

Associate, Employment & Labour Group, Stikeman Elliott LLP

Khalfan Khalfan is an associate practicing in the Employment & Labour Group. Khalfan practices all aspects of employment and labour law on behalf of employers in Ontario, and advises clients on a variety of issues relating to employment and labour matters, including employment standards, privacy, human rights, occupational health and safety, and employee terminations. In his immigration practice, Khalfan advises employers on business immigration requirements.

Matt Dewar

Partner, Duntrune LLP

Matt is a founding partner at Duntrune LLP and has 15+ years of experience in employment law. He advises on a wide range of employment matters from hiring through termination and everything in between. Regularly participating in mediations and arbitrations, Matt has also appeared before various courts and administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (including the Employment Standards Branch), the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Federal Court of Appeal.

Megan Burkett

Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment, McMaster University

Megan Burkett is McMaster University’s Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment. She provides advice and counsel on labour, employment and related human rights legal matters including employment standards, employment contracts, terminations, grievances, arbitrations, collective agreement interpretation and harassment.

Ben Aberant is a Partner in the Labour and Employment Group at McCarthy Tétrault. Ben represents his firm in a variety of labour and employment issues including employment standards, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, wrongful dismissals, labour board proceedings, grievances and arbitrations. Ben advises both provincially and federally regulated employers and has conducted unjust dismissal hearings under the Canada Labour Code. He frequently advises on human rights issues, including defence of claims, and has been the lead investigator in workplace investigation matters. He also advises clients on privacy issues arising in the workplace.

Through his litigation practice, Ryan has gained extensive experience in employment standards matters, employment contracts, human rights and discrimination, privacy matters, workplace safety and insurance, wrongful/constructive dismissals, union disputes and occupational health and safety. Although Ryan has experience handling very complex workplace cases, he holds a special interest in representing the underdog in ‘David versus Goliath’ matters, where he can really make a difference for his clients. During law school, Ryan was a member of the prestigious Law Review and his article was published in the Santa Clara Law Review Journal.

Sonia Regenbogen has dedicated her practice for more than 15 years to representing employers in labour, employment and human rights law matters. She works with employers through the process of collective bargaining, drafting employment agreements and policies, as well as defending employers before arbitrators, human rights tribunals, labour relations boards and the courts. Sonia has extensive experience litigating complex cases involving claims of wrongful dismissal, sexual harassment, discrimination and disability issues. Sonia has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as having a “top reputation” as a workplace investigator. Since 2003 she has represented Canadian employers at the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. She also sits on the board of the Canadian Employers Council (CEC).

Ben Aberant

Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Ben Aberant is a Partner in the Labour and Employment Group at McCarthy Tétrault. Ben represents his firm in a variety of labour and employment issues including employment standards, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, wrongful dismissals, labour board proceedings, grievances and arbitrations. Ben advises both provincially and federally regulated employers and has conducted unjust dismissal hearings under the Canada Labour Code. He frequently advises on human rights issues, including defence of claims, and has been the lead investigator in workplace investigation matters. He also advises clients on privacy issues arising in the workplace.

Ryan Watkins

Whitten & Lublin PC

Through his litigation practice, Ryan has gained extensive experience in employment standards matters, employment contracts, human rights and discrimination, privacy matters, workplace safety and insurance, wrongful/constructive dismissals, union disputes and occupational health and safety. Although Ryan has experience handling very complex workplace cases, he holds a special interest in representing the underdog in ‘David versus Goliath’ matters, where he can really make a difference for his clients. During law school, Ryan was a member of the prestigious Law Review and his article was published in the Santa Clara Law Review Journal.

Sonia Regenbogen

Partner, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

Sonia Regenbogen has dedicated her practice for more than 15 years to representing employers in labour, employment and human rights law matters. She works with employers through the process of collective bargaining, drafting employment agreements and policies, as well as defending employers before arbitrators, human rights tribunals, labour relations boards and the courts. Sonia has extensive experience litigating complex cases involving claims of wrongful dismissal, sexual harassment, discrimination and disability issues. Sonia has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as having a “top reputation” as a workplace investigator. Since 2003 she has represented Canadian employers at the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. She also sits on the board of the Canadian Employers Council (CEC).

Daniel is Chair of WeirFoulds’ Employment Law group with a practice that is focused on employment and labour relations. He is frequently sought out by clients for his well-reasoned, practical and strategic advice for complex situations. Daniel frequently advises employers on all aspects of employment and labour relations including executive compensation, employee hiring and terminations, employment standards compliance, unfair practice and human rights complaints, employee privacy issues and the development and execution of initiatives and policies. Daniel is a current member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Ontario), and a former member of the Board of Directors and former Vice-Chair of the Board for the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.

Daniel Wong

Partner, WeirFoulds LLP

Daniel is Chair of WeirFoulds’ Employment Law group with a practice that is focused on employment and labour relations. He is frequently sought out by clients for his well-reasoned, practical and strategic advice for complex situations. Daniel frequently advises employers on all aspects of employment and labour relations including executive compensation, employee hiring and terminations, employment standards compliance, unfair practice and human rights complaints, employee privacy issues and the development and execution of initiatives and policies. Daniel is a current member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Ontario), and a former member of the Board of Directors and former Vice-Chair of the Board for the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.

Nancy Shapiro is ranked one of the top 500 lawyers in Canada by the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and is recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading practitioner in the area of employment law. Nancy’s practice is devoted exclusively to the area of employment law. She represents non-unionized employers and employees in a wide variety of sectors. Nancy is thoroughly versed in issues surrounding all aspects of the employment relationship from hiring, discipline, disability management, performance management and human rights through to termination.

Lorenzo has practiced exclusively in the area of labour and employment law for over 30 years, representing employers on all areas touching labour and employment law, both provincially and federally. His expertise spans the broad spectrum of workplace law, whether it be defending employers against employee claims (wrongful and constructive dismissal, human rights, harassment) or dealing with a unionized workplace. He has extensive experience in grievance and labour board litigation, injunctive proceedings, responding to union organizing and applications for certification, collective bargaining and grievance arbitration. Lorenzo has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers as well as a member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.

Nancy Shapiro

Partner, Koskie Minky LLP

Nancy Shapiro is ranked one of the top 500 lawyers in Canada by the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and is recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading practitioner in the area of employment law. Nancy’s practice is devoted exclusively to the area of employment law. She represents non-unionized employers and employees in a wide variety of sectors. Nancy is thoroughly versed in issues surrounding all aspects of the employment relationship from hiring, discipline, disability management, performance management and human rights through to termination.

Lorenzo Lisi

Partner, Aird Berlis LLP

Lorenzo has practiced exclusively in the area of labour and employment law for over 30 years, representing employers on all areas touching labour and employment law, both provincially and federally. His expertise spans the broad spectrum of workplace law, whether it be defending employers against employee claims (wrongful and constructive dismissal, human rights, harassment) or dealing with a unionized workplace. He has extensive experience in grievance and labour board litigation, injunctive proceedings, responding to union organizing and applications for certification, collective bargaining and grievance arbitration. Lorenzo has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers as well as a member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.

Mark is currently operating an ADR practice as a mediator, adjudicator and investigator, with a focus on human rights, employment and labour issues. Mark has 25 years of experience in alternative dispute resolution, as a mediator, adjudicator and workplace investigator, and over 30 years of experience dealing with human rights, employment and labour issues. Mark was a Vice-Chair at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for 12 years from 2007 to 2019, where he conducted hundreds of mediations and hearings primarily in the employment and labour sectors. He has written hundreds of decisions, including leading decisions on a variety of human rights, employment and labour issues.

Michelle advises both private and public sector employer on various employment-related matters, including disability management, restructuring, discipline, occupational health and safety matters. She represents clients in litigation, including wrongful dismissal actions, injunctions, human rights and other administrative tribunal proceedings. Michelle is a recipient of the 2017 Lexpert Zenith Award, celebrating the advancement of women in the legal profession as well as the Ann Wilson and Robert Prichard Award at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, presented to an alumni who demonstrates the highest standards of professional integrity. She is recognized in the 2018 and 2019 editions of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Workplace Human Rights), and recognized in the 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers in Canada (Labour and Employment Law). She also co-authored Dismissals in the Unionized Workplace, published by Carswell.

Jamie has over thirty-five years of experience working with his clients to improve the effectiveness of their human resources relationships. Jamie represents employers in all aspects of dealing with their unionized and non-unionized employees. Jamie’s practice features wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights, health and safety, privacy, labour board hearings, collective bargaining and labour arbitrations. Jamie is an author/co-author of some twenty publications — almost all in multiple editions. He is a teacher, frequent speaker, and proactive advocate for workplaces that work. Jamie was on the Board of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (“CACE”) from 2008 to 2019 and was President in 2016-17. In 2017, Jamie was named the Canadian HR Reporter 2017 Employment Lawyer of the Year, as selected by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In addition to a Band 1 ranking in Chambers Global and Chambers Canada, Jamie has maintained a high ranking for many years in other respected sources, including the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (in the categories of Employment Law and Labour Relations), the Martindale-Hubbell Directory, Best Lawyers, and in Who’s Who Legal: Canada under the Management Labour and Employment practice area.

Mark Hart

Mediator, Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mark is currently operating an ADR practice as a mediator, adjudicator and investigator, with a focus on human rights, employment and labour issues. Mark has 25 years of experience in alternative dispute resolution, as a mediator, adjudicator and workplace investigator, and over 30 years of experience dealing with human rights, employment and labour issues. Mark was a Vice-Chair at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for 12 years from 2007 to 2019, where he conducted hundreds of mediations and hearings primarily in the employment and labour sectors. He has written hundreds of decisions, including leading decisions on a variety of human rights, employment and labour issues.

Michelle Henry

Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Michelle advises both private and public sector employer on various employment-related matters, including disability management, restructuring, discipline, occupational health and safety matters. She represents clients in litigation, including wrongful dismissal actions, injunctions, human rights and other administrative tribunal proceedings. Michelle is a recipient of the 2017 Lexpert Zenith Award, celebrating the advancement of women in the legal profession as well as the Ann Wilson and Robert Prichard Award at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, presented to an alumni who demonstrates the highest standards of professional integrity. She is recognized in the 2018 and 2019 editions of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Workplace Human Rights), and recognized in the 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers in Canada (Labour and Employment Law). She also co-authored Dismissals in the Unionized Workplace, published by Carswell.

James G. Knight

Partner, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP

Jamie has over thirty-five years of experience working with his clients to improve the effectiveness of their human resources relationships. Jamie represents employers in all aspects of dealing with their unionized and non-unionized employees. Jamie’s practice features wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights, health and safety, privacy, labour board hearings, collective bargaining and labour arbitrations. Jamie is an author/co-author of some twenty publications — almost all in multiple editions. He is a teacher, frequent speaker, and proactive advocate for workplaces that work. Jamie was on the Board of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (“CACE”) from 2008 to 2019 and was President in 2016-17. In 2017, Jamie was named the Canadian HR Reporter 2017 Employment Lawyer of the Year, as selected by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In addition to a Band 1 ranking in Chambers Global and Chambers Canada, Jamie has maintained a high ranking for many years in other respected sources, including the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (in the categories of Employment Law and Labour Relations), the Martindale-Hubbell Directory, Best Lawyers, and in Who’s Who Legal: Canada under the Management Labour and Employment practice area.

Agenda

Session 1 Best Practices for Hiring

Speakers

Session 2 Return to Work – How to Do It Right

Speakers

Session 3 Direct/Indirect Discrimination

Speakers

Session 4 Constructive Dismissal

Speakers

Session 5 Termination Post Pandemic

Speakers

Session 6 Speaker’s Corner

Speakers

Conference Chairs

David Whitten

James Heeney

David Whitten

James Heeney

Speakers

Session 1 - Best Practices for Hiring - Panel Discussion

Khalfan Khalfan

​Matt Dewar

Megan Burkett

Khalfan Khalfan

​Matt Dewar

Megan Burkett

Session 2 - Return to Work - How to Do It Right

Ben Aberant

Ryan Watkins

Sonia Regenbogen

Ben Aberant

Ryan Watkins

Sonia Regenbogen

Session 3 - Direct/Indirect Discrimination

Daniel Wong

Daniel Wong

Session 4 - Constructive Dismissal

​Nancy Shapiro

​Lorenzo Lisi

​Nancy Shapiro

​Lorenzo Lisi

Session 5 - Termination Post Pandemic

Session 1 - Welcome to the new world of work

Mark Hart

Michelle Henry

James G. Knight

Mark Hart

Michelle Henry

James G. Knight

Session 1
Best Practices for Hiring

Session 2
Return to Work – How to Do It Right

Session 3
Direct/Indirect Discrimination

Session 4
Constructive Dismissal

Session 5
Termination Post Pandemic

Session 6
Speaker’s Corner

Matt Dewar

Matt Dewar

Nancy Shapiro

Lorenzo Lisi

Nancy Shapiro

Lorenzo Lisi