HRPA 2022 Annual HR Law Conference: Oct 26 - 27

Nathaniel Marshall (he/him)

Workplace Investigator & Employment Lawyer, Marshall Workplace Law

Nathaniel is the founder of Marshall Workplace Law. He practices in all areas of employment and labour law. Prior to founding the firm, he worked at a top ranked employment law boutique that focused primarily on conducting workplace investigations, a prominent, national law firm, as well as a labour boutique. Nathaniel has conducted workplace investigations in small, medium, and large enterprises (both unionized and non-unionized), in the public sector, and within large, provincial unions. He has also conducted investigations for both federally and provincially regulated employers. He has extensive experience in workplace investigations relating to: harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, benefits fraud, bullying and those concerning employer specific codes of conduct and workplace policies. He is also well-versed in conducting workplace audits, training, restorations and mediations. 

Additionally, he has appeared as a prosecutor in numerous disciplinary proceedings under the Police Services Act, and counsel in police grievance arbitrations. Nathaniel is also certified by the Toronto Police Service to conduct use of force investigations involving Special Constables. His experience in both labour and employment law, particularly in the police sector, has provided him with a unique skill set. 

Nathaniel is an experienced advocate and has represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. He has also been published in the Canadian Human Resources Reporter and Canadian Employment Law Today. 

Nathaniel received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Dean’s List) and J.D., both from Dalhousie University, where he was a member of the Indigenous Blacks and Mi’Kmaq initiative. 

Stuart Rudner (he/him)

Employment Lawyer & Mediator, Managing Partner, Rudner Law

Stuart is a firm believer in education – he frequently chairs and teaches at conferences, participates in seminars and webinars, and provides commentary to the media on employment law matters. Recently, he has been providing expert analysis to 680 News as their “go-to employment lawyer”. Moreover, Stuart designed the Osgoode Professional Development’s HR Law for HR Professionals Certificate course, which he is also the founding director of. He also co-designed and is the co-founding Program Director of their Advanced HR Law for HR Professionals Certificate course. 

Having been trained in Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques and able to act a mediator in employment matters, Stuart sees things from a third side: that of a neutral third party, working with those involved to achieve a reasonable resolution to their issues.  

Offering objective, strategic advice to his clients, Stuart is recognized as one of Canada’s top Legal Social Media Influencers as well as the only Legal Influencer in Canadian HR Law in the first Lexology Awards. He has also been selected for inclusion in ‘The Best Lawyers in Canada’ in the area of Employment Law for the past seven years and is routinely featured in Canadian HR Reporter’s Employment Lawyers Directory (a comprehensive directory of the top employment law and immigration law practitioners in Canada). 

As a firm and with his family, he supports several worthwhile causes including 360Kids, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, United Way, One Voice Network, Job Skills, Family Education Centre, Lawyers International Food Enterprise (LIFE), and Volunteer Lawyers Network. 

Stuart is actively involved in the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations i and has held several leadership positions therein. He has also volunteered to lead sessions on HR law topics and has served on HRPA’S committees, including sponsoring HRPA’s York Region Chapter and presenting an annual employment law update for the members. 

With two active children, much of Stuart’s time is spent in dance studios and hockey arenas (and driving them to and from games and practices). 

Diane Biesinger (she/her) CHRP

HR and Learning Specialist, HRPA

Diane Biesinger has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has enjoyed working in a wide range of industries from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Diane holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as awarded by the HRPA. She currently brings her passion for HR to the role of HR & Learning Specialist at the HRPA, where her focus runs the range of the workplace experience for all HRPA employees, “keeping the lights on in HR” and delivering on the association’s strategic initiatives.

Diane is proud that HRPA has been certified as a Great Place to Work by GPTW Canada for the last four years and is looking forward to having that continue and improve. Prior to joining HRPA, she spent six years in the telecommunications space working with companies such as Bell and Rogers, as Director of HR. She is passionate about IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility) and supporting leaders and staff to promote organizational objectives. Diane likes to bring her whole self to work and is enthusiastic about relationships as she brings a genuine love of people, especially our differences, to her daily interactions.

Kathryn J. Bird (she/her/hers)

Partner, Ogletree Deakins

Kathryn Bird (she/her/hers) is an employment, human rights, and labour lawyer in Ogletree Deakin’s Toronto office. Kathryn is a recognized leader in workplace and education law in Canada and was the winner of the Lexpert Rising Star Award in 2020. She advises employers, social service providers, school boards and municipalities regarding the employment relationship and the provision of services to the public. She also assists school boards, colleges and universities with legal matters related to the provision of educational services. 

A skilled litigator, Kathryn often appears before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, labour arbitrators and at all levels of court. She has successfully defended public and private employers against a wide range of claims, including human rights allegations, long-term disability benefit claims and wrongful dismissal actions. Kathryn also advises employers and service providers on avoiding litigation through proactive strategic actions. 

Matthew L.O. Certosimo

Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Matthew is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Labour Law. He represents employers in labour and employment-related litigation, including wrongful dismissals and labour arbitration. He frequently appears before the courts, including at the appellate level. He also acts for employers in grievance arbitrations, matters before the Labour Relations Board and in collective bargaining. He also represents employers, supervisors and constructors in proceedings under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including in defence of quasi-criminal charges further to workplace accidents and injuries.

Matthew acts for and advises private and public sector employers on a full range of labour and employment matters, including dismissals and discipline, employment contracts and policies, human rights issues, such as discrimination and harassment, as well as workers’ compensation, employment standards and occupational health and safety matters.

Matthew is the co-author of Just Cause: The Law of Summary Dismissal in Canada, which is frequently cited in decisions. Within BLG, Matthew held the role of National Leader of BLG’s Labour & Employment Group from 2011-2016, and before that was the Toronto Leader from 2008-2011.

Carly Dunster (she/her), AWI-CH

Partner, Workplace Investigator, Turnpenney Milne LLP

Carly Dunster is a Partner and Workplace Investigator at Turnpenney Milne LLP, a boutique labour and employment firm in downtown Toronto. Carly has been a Certificate-Holder with the Association of Workplace Investigators since 2019. As an independent, external investigator, she has conducted workplace investigations in a wide variety of workplaces, including high-profile matters that necessitated timely and sensitive investigations.  

Carly has extensive experience in addressing complaints of harassment and discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code, and in investigating non-Human Rights Code related bullying and personal/workplace harassment (under the Occupational Health and Safety Act or an employer’s policies). She has also conducted investigations into allegations of general misconduct contrary to an employer’s policies or Codes of Conduct as well as investigations where it is alleged that a poisoned work environment has been created. Carly has conducted numerous environmental audits, targeted either to specific departments or organization-wide, providing employers with information that helps them to proactively identify underlying issues in their workplace. She also regularly conducts training sessions on the creation and maintenance of respectful workplaces, and on how to conduct thorough and effective workplace investigations. 

Neena Gupta (she/her)

Partner, Gowling WLG

Neena Gupta is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Waterloo Region and Toronto offices. 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 wide variety of employers, from start-ups to world-renowned multinationals, on all aspects of employment law, including employment offers and contracts, workplace investigations, accommodation of disability or illness, compensation plans, cross-border employment and regulatory compliance in Canada. She has taught employment and human rights law at the Faculties of Law at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University and is a popular speaker at legal and HR conferences. 

Arleen Huggins (she/her)

Partner, Koskie Minsky LLP

Arleen Huggins is a partner at Koskie Minsky LLP and head of the firm’s Employment Law Group. She has expertise in employment law and human rights law, with an emphasis on discrimination based on race, and anti-Black racism. She also practices general and commercial litigation.   

For over 30 years Arleen has provided opinions and litigated all types of employment and human rights disputes, including long term disability claims, at various court levels, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal and before various administrative tribunals. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating complex employment contracts and related documents for employers and employees. 

Arleen also specializes in workplace investigations, reviews and equity audits for private corporations and Boards, educational institutions and the public service, primarily in the areas of racial discrimination and harassment, anti-Black racism and sexual harassment. She has also been a speaker for the Ontario Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development, the Advocates’ Society and others, presenting at various seminars on employment law, human rights, diversity and inclusion, anti-Black racism as well as civil matters. Moreover, she has authored several articles, papers and reports. 

Arleen won a 2016 Lexpert Zenith Award: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion for her work as a long-time board member and former President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.  She was a five-year member and former Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Standing Committee on Equity and a former committee member and Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Equal Opportunity Committee, for which she won an OBA Linda Adlam Manning Award for Volunteerism.  Additionally, Arleen received the 2018 Women’s Law Association of Ontario President’s Award for her work towards the advancement of racialized women in the law. She was also a 2020 recipient of the Law Society of Ontario’s prestigious Law Society Medal. In 2021, Arleen was elected by Canadian Lawyer as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal Law category. Also, she has been recognized in the area of Labour and Employment Law in The Best Lawyers in Canada for 2022 and 2023. 

Arleen has served on the Doctors Without Borders Human Resources Committee and as well as a member of the federal Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for the GTA. 

Gregory Ko (he/him)

Partner, Kastner Lam LLP

Gregory Ko is a partner at Kastner Lam LLP. His practice is focused on employment law, human rights, administrative law and civil litigation.   

Greg represents clients in workplace disputes at all levels of court in Ontario and before the Human Rights Tribunal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board.  He is routinely retained by regulated professionals facing investigation or disciplinary proceedings with their professional regulator.   

Greg also acts as discipline counsel to professional regulators as well as an independent investigator in highly sensitive matters for a wide range of organizations, including universities, hospitals and not-for-profits organizations. 

Greg is an executive member of the Ontario Bar Association’s labour and employment section and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Caucus. He graduated from the McGill Faculty of Law and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. 

Barry Kuretzky

Partner, Littler

A widely acknowledged expert on Canadian employment law, Barry Kuretzky brings creative solutions to business-critical decisions. His distinctive legal knowledge guides clients across the employment spectrum, from hiring to termination. 

 During a career spanning four decades, Barry has gained wide-ranging experience counseling clients in labour relations, which includes collective bargaining, union organizing drives, certification and decertification of unions, and grievances and arbitrations. Additionally, he advises marquee companies across Canada on myriad workplace challenges, including wrongful dismissal litigation, unjust dismissals pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, employment standards adjudications, and Human rights, including disability and accommodation matters. He also provides guidance on issues of sexual harassment, breach of fiduciary duty, workers’ compensation, on-the-job health and safety and wrongful hiring. Furthermore, Barry offers counsel on injunctions restraining competition and information distribution as well as negligent misrepresentation in the employment context. His areas of expertise also include employment issues related to the sale or restructuring of businesses, and negotiation and drafting of employment contracts and workplace policies.

Sought-after for his knowledge of workplace law, Barry wrote two industry-related books: Mediating Employment 

Law Disputes and Human Resources Guide to Workplace Harassment. He has been quoted significantly in the press on 

Canadian labour and employment issues and has been consistently recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as one of the country’s top lawyers. Barry has been named as a Leading Practitioner by the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for 25 consecutive years and has also received the Continuing Legal Education Long-Term Achievement Award by the Law Society of Upper Canada. 

Liam J. Ledgerwood

Associate, Siskinds LLP’s Labour & Employment Group

Liam J. Ledgerwood is an associate with Siskinds LLP’s Labour & Employment Group and provides a wide range of practical and creative solutions for employers. He provides effective advocacy before courts and administrative tribunals as well as pragmatic day-to-day advice to employers. Prior to this role, Liam received his Juris Doctor from Western University’s Faculty of Law and articled with Siskinds LLP.

Shannon Leo (she/her)

Client Partner, Pekarsky & Co.

Shannon Leo is a Client Partner at Pekarsky & Co. where she leads executive search and leadership advisory mandates in Toronto. Shannon is a lawyer by training and was most recently the Chief Talent Officer for one of Canada’s top national law firms, where she oversaw the lawyer recruitment, development and retention initiatives for the firm nationally. During her tenure, Shannon helped the firm grow and increase in profitability through strategic talent acquisitions, while also developing programs to get the most out of the firm’s talent. She was particularly dedicated to bolstering inclusion and diversity initiatives and is passionate about furthering gender and racial equity at the executive and board levels.

Shannon is uniquely qualified to consult on performance and mental wellness initiatives; she completed her master’s degree in counselling psychology at the University of Toronto and is a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She also has professional coach training from the Co-active Training Institute and is qualified to perform leadership assessments, having completed the Hogan certification.

Shannon is interested in the intersection of human potential and business and is well versed in the corporate world, especially in recruitment and talent functions. She also recently obtained the “Leading with Finance” certificate from Harvard Business School.

Previously, she managed the student program for another large law firm and was the Director of Career Services at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law prior to that. She has been involved with the National Association of Legal Professionals since 2005 and is a past chair for the Canadian Section’s On-Campus Interview Advisory Group. She is a regular speaker at the association’s events and law schools across the country.

When Shannon isn’t working, you will likely find her outdoors hiking, skiing, running and trying to keep up with her family. She also loves reading and listening to podcasts to keep up with current trends in business, psychology and human capital.

Geoffrey Lowe

Associate, Rudner Law

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a lawyer. Working in human resources allowed me to zero in on employment law as the field I wanted to be in. Work is a crucial component of nearly every person’s life: either the work they are doing to support themselves, or the work that someone who is supporting them is doing. When interrupted it has a profound and lasting impact on the people immediately impacted by this interruption, as well as society as a whole. With this in mind, my choice to work in employment law was an obvious one: an opportunity to assist with one of the most important parts of a person’s life.  

I was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2016. I articled and practiced at a civil litigation firm, where I gained valuable experience in all aspects of the civil litigation process. I subsequently worked with Stuart and other members of the Rudner Law team including  Brittany, Nadia, Mary, and Janis at Rudner MacDonald LLP. Since then, I have worked at firms with both an employer and employee focus, and have developed an understanding of each side of the equation.  

My legal experience is bolstered by my varied work experience. I built and ran a human resources department for a private security firm, taught English as a Second Language in South Korea, and worked on the field crew for several Ontario Land Surveyors. I have been able to leverage this knowledge and experience to better comprehend, meet, and exceed the requirements and expectations of each client I work with.   

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph, a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management from George Brown College, and my Juris Doctor from Western University.  

Outside of the law, my strongest interest is in fitness and martial arts. I am an avid weightlifter, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and am learning, gradually, how to do yoga. When time permits, my wife and I foster retired racing greyhounds. Finally, I am one of the only lawyers in Ontario whose call to the Bar and wedding ceremony were performed by the same member of the Judiciary, although not at once.

Jennifer Mathers McHenry (she/her)

Founding Partner, Mathers McHenry & Co.

Jennifer is the founding partner of Mathers McHenry & Co., an executive advisory, employment law, and commercial litigation boutique in downtown Toronto.

She regularly advises both employees and employers about employment law and on all aspects of the employee/employer relationship, including: offers of employment, human rights obligations, changes of control, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, resignations, termination of employment, constructive dismissals, and post-employment fiduciary and contractual obligations.  Her practice also provides strategic and legal advice to senior executives, directors, partners, and others at pivotal transition points in their careers.

Jennifer’s litigation practice encompasses a wide range of complex employment and workplace-related commercial and appellate litigation, including actions involving wrongful and constructive dismissal, breaches of human rights legislation, breach of contract, professional negligence, breach of confidence, unfair competition, negligent misrepresentation, partnership disputes, and shareholder disputes.

Kike Ojo-Thompson (she/her)

Founder & CEO, Kojo Institute 

Kike Ojo-Thompson is an award-winning equity thought leader. She is renowned for her work and expertise as an anti-racism and anti-Black racism educator, speaker, and organizational change facilitator. For more than 20 years, Ojo-Thompson and her equity consultancy, KOJO Institute, has led organizations in both the private and public sector towards more equitable outcomes. Prior to leading KOJO Institute full time, Ojo-Thompson’s notable roles included project lead of Canada’s first-of-its-kind initiative to address anti-Black racism in child welfare and senior facilitator for Ontario’s carding review. As ago-to voice in the conversation on equity and anti-Black racism, Ojo-Thompson has shared her expertise with audiences of platforms and organizations like Macleans, The Globe & Mail, and Oxford University.

Danielle Rawlinson (she/her)

Associate, Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers

Danielle is an Associate Lawyer at Monkhouse Law, licenced by the Law Society of Ontario, practicing employment law. She completed her J.D. at the University of Ottawa.

In her practice, Danielle assists employees with navigating workplace issues ranging from wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal and human rights discrimination to contract reviews, and disability insurance claims. She is passionate about advocating for her clients and keeping their interests centred throughout the process. She approaches her work with a listening ear and a keen eye and seeks to protect the interests of her clients.

Richa Sandill (she/her)

Staff Lawyer, Don Valley Community Legal Services

Richa Sandill is an employment and human rights lawyer in the legal clinic system. Her practice focuses on advising and representing marginalized and low-income workers on all aspects of employment law, including test case litigation, workplace harassment, discrimination, and wrongful dismissal. She practices at Don Valley Community Services as a Staff Lawyer for its Toronto East End Employment Law Services program. This is a joint initiative between six East Toronto clinics to provide employment law services to low-income workers. She is also actively involved in public legal education initiatives for Toronto’s east end communities.

In addition to her practice, Richa is an active member of the legal profession and a dedicated advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She served six terms on the Ontario Bar Association (OBA)’s Women Lawyers Forum executive, including as Chair in 2019-2020. She has been part of the OBA Council, the OBA Equality, Dialogue on Licensing, and Pro Bono Standing Committees, and is currently a Member at Large on the Labour & Employment Law section of the OBA. She was recently re-elected as a Director on the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto (SABA Toronto), having previously served four terms. In her capacity as Co-Chair of the Women’s Committee for SABA Toronto, Richa represented SABA Toronto on stakeholder consultations with the Prime Minister’s office and the Law Society of Ontario, and co-chaired SABA’s first Women’s Leadership Summit in 2021.

Krista Siedlak, (she/her)

Partner, TurnpenneyMilne LLP

Krista strives to be a legal partner with her clients, providing strategic advice on all HR issues. She appreciates that most workplace matters are more than about the law, but often require care fully balancing legal and business needs. 

Krista adopts both a legal and practical approach when advising her clients, who range in size and industry. She provides guidance on all aspects of  the employment relationship, whether it be large-scale complex restructuring or dealing with the myriad of HR issues that clients face on a day-to-day basis. Regardless of the complexity of the issue, Krista likes to be integrated into her clients’ decision-making so that she can proactively deal with issues. When litigation does arise, she is a strong and balanced advocate. 

Krista has dedicated much of her practice to building healthier and more positive workplaces. In doing so, she works in close consultation with her clients to develop customized and comprehensive training programs to meet their needs. Sessions can be part of a larger series or one-off tailored  training  programs  on various topics, ranging from conducting workplaces  investigations and respect in the workplace to managing mental health issues and even performance management and discipline.  

Krista also has extensive experience in workplace investigations and workplace audits, including harassment and bullying complaints, alleged code of conduct violations or fraud and theft cases. She is part of the faculty for the Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law, as well as the Osgoode Certificate in Human Resource Law for HR Professionals, and is a member of Association of Workplace Investigations. 

Alex Sinclair, B.A., J.D. (he/him)

Partner, Hudson Sinclair LLP

Alex is a partner with Hudson Sinclair LLP, practising in all areas of labour and employment law. He provides proactive, tailored advice on various labour and employment issues. Alex regularly guides employers through high-stakes legal issues, including complex terminations involving significant legal risks. He is a tenacious advocate and has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and at the Federal Court of Appeal. He regularly represents clients before administrative tribunals including labour arbitrations, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Coroner’s Inquests, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. Alex is also a seasoned workplace investigator and is regularly retained to act as an independent investigator with respect to a variety of allegations including workplace harassment and bullying, sexual harassment, Code of Conduct violations and conflicts of interest. Alex works out of the Toronto and Oakville offices.

Hena Singh (she/her)

Founding Partner, Investigations & Mediations, Singh Lamarche LLP

Hena Singh is the founding partner of Singh Investigations & Mediations and a founding partner of Singh Lamarche LLP. She is recognized for providing her clients with practical and tailored solutions to employment issues.

In addition to her work as an employment lawyer, Hena has conducted hundreds of workplace investigations for companies and organizations of all types and sizes. She is a mediator, Certified Workplace Investigator and a Certified Compliance Officer. She also holds a master’s degree in Psychology.

Hena is the author of the book A Practical Guide to Conducting Workplace Investigations and co-author of the book A Practical Guide to the Law of Terminations in Ontario. Given her credentials and extensive experience, she regularly appears in the media and is a frequent presenter on various employment law, human rights, mediation and workplace investigation issues.

Ryan Watkins

Partner, Whitten & Lublin PC

Ryan Watkins is a partner at Whitten & Lublin PC, a boutique employment law firm in Toronto. He primarily litigates and advises clients on issues such as wrongful dismissals, workplace human rights, employment standards, recruitment and dismissals, employment contracts and employment issues in corporate transactions. He has appeared as counsel in cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

Ryan also frequently appears on national television and radio, as a commentator for workplace issues.

Colin Youngman

Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley

Colin Youngman is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Kingston office. He advises and represents both unionized and non-unionized employers throughout Eastern Ontario. He is regularly engaged in wrongful dismissal litigation, occupational health and safety matters, labour arbitration cases, Ontario Labour Relations Board proceedings and human rights proceedings. Colin also advises clients on information and privacy matters, including data breach responses.