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The HRPA Annual HR Law Conference is the premiere must-attend event for HR professionals and it’s back in a hybrid format on October 18, 2023.

Reflect on challenges that HR leaders are facing and learn from seasoned experts.

The Annual HR Law Conference starts in

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Attention Registered Attendees:  

The virtual conference platform is now open. 
Please check your email (the one used at the time of registration) for the access instructions.  
 
Sessions begin at 8:45 AM EST on Wednesday, October 18. 

Difficulty logging in? For technical support, please email: pdwebinars@hrpa.ca
 
For in person attendees, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, October 18 at the Kensington Ballroom (Second Floor) at the Delta Toronto. A light continental breakfast will begin at 8:15 AM EST and event kick off is 8:45 AM EST. 

For registration support, please email: professionaldevelopment@hrpa.ca  

Location 

In person: 
Delta Toronto 
Kensington Ballroom (Second Floor) 
75 Lower Simcoe Street, Toronto ON M5J 3A6  

Virtual: ON24 live stream 

Join us in person or virtually on October 18 for an invigorating gathering of HR professionals and business leaders seeking to stay on top of changes to the HR law landscape. HR generalists, specialists, managers and directors will benefit from this conference’s focus on evolving legislative requirements and considerations in the workplace. 

Reflect on challenges that HR leaders are facing and learn from seasoned experts. Attendees will gain tools and strategies to navigate a rapidly changing work environment. Sessions will tackle current issues and trends, including a fireside chat on arbitration disputes and mediation, a panel discussion on restorative work as well as a conversation on human rights. Finally, we will wrap the day with an open forum “Ask an Expert” session. 

Why attend 

  • Gain the latest insights and information to support your business and prepare for the future. 
  • Learn from leading experts on today’s most pressing HR law workplace issues. 
  • Collaborate with and learn from other HR professionals facing similar workplace challenges. 
  • Benefit from summer savings and corporate group pricing. 
  • Virtually or in person – the choice is yours! 

Who should attend 

  • HR Managers, HR Directors who lead the planning and execution of HR strategies and legal compliance.
  • HR professionals who need to understand legal rights and responsibilities in their work (HR Recruitment Specialists, HR Managers, HR Directors, HR Business Partners, HR Tech Specialist).
  • Organizational Development Professionals and others who lead or execute OD strategies and programs in their organizations.
  • Business Leaders who are responsible for leadership training and development, employee engagement and policy development.
  • HR Professionals who are involved with organizational effectiveness, psychological safety and change-management and DEI&A principles.
  • Non-HR professionals who manage workplaces or worker affairs.
  • Other ancillary professions who have a requirement for legal awareness and compliance, including employment lawyers, students at law, EDI professionals, Health and Safety professionals, etc.

Location 

In person: 
Delta Toronto 
Kensington Ballroom (Second Floor) 
75 Lower Simcoe Street, Toronto ON M5J 3A6  

Virtual: ON24 live stream 

Join us in person or virtually on October 18 for an invigorating gathering of HR professionals and business leaders seeking to stay on top of changes to the HR law landscape. HR generalists, specialists, managers and directors will benefit from this conference’s focus on evolving legislative requirements and considerations in the workplace. 

Reflect on challenges that HR leaders are facing and learn from seasoned experts. Attendees will gain tools and strategies to navigate a rapidly changing work environment. Sessions will tackle current issues and trends, including a fireside chat on arbitration disputes and mediation, a panel discussion on restorative work as well as a conversation on human rights. Finally, we will wrap the day with an open forum “Ask an Expert” session. 

Why attend 

  • Gain the latest insights and information to support your business and prepare for the future. 
  • Learn from leading experts on today’s most pressing HR law workplace issues. 
  • Collaborate with and learn from other HR professionals facing similar workplace challenges. 
  • Benefit from summer savings and corporate group pricing. 
  • Virtually or in person – the choice is yours! 

Who should attend 

  • HR Managers, HR Directors who lead the planning and execution of HR strategies and legal compliance.
  • HR professionals who need to understand legal rights and responsibilities in their work (HR Recruitment Specialists, HR Managers, HR Directors, HR Business Partners, HR Tech Specialist).
  • Organizational Development Professionals and others who lead or execute OD strategies and programs in their organizations.
  • Business Leaders who are responsible for leadership training and development, employee engagement and policy development.
  • HR Professionals who are involved with organizational effectiveness, psychological safety and change-management and DEI&A principles.
  • Non-HR professionals who manage workplaces or worker affairs.
  • Other ancillary professions who have a requirement for legal awareness and compliance, including employment lawyers, students at law, EDI professionals, Health and Safety professionals, etc.

Continuing Professional Development 

  • The HR Law Conference is approved for 6.25 CPD hours. CPD codes are only issued for sessions you attended live. No CPD code is provided for sessions viewed on-demand. Sessions you view on-demand do qualify for CPD hours and will accumulate toward the total eligible CPD hours, however you will need to log those hours manually. Details can be found on the CPD FAQs page.  
  • Osgoode Professional Development, our partner, has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario. The Law Society of Ontario accredited CPD total for the HRPA 2023 Annual HR Law Conference:  
  • Program Total: LSO (ON): 6h 15m CPD (3h 30m Substantive; 15m Professionalism; 2h 30m EDI)

Join us in person or virtually! 

Space is limited – register early to save money and guarantee your spot!  

Looking to register your team of 5 or more? Be sure to check out the additional savings for our Corporate Groups below. 

Registration Options 
There are four options for registration: 

  1. In person – Limited space! Attend live at our venue, Delta Toronto. 
  2. Virtual – Participate online, remotely via live streaming. 
  3. Corporate – If you are looking to host your team, department or organization, these discounted rates for virtual participation are for you! 
  4. BOGO – Get more for less when you register for the HR Law Conference and the Fall Conference. 

Get More for Less! BOGO: HR Law + Fall 

When you register for HR Law, register for the Fall Conference! Purchase the two conferences together and save more!   

This year’s fall conference will take place virtually on Tuesday, November 28. The theme of the event will focus on technology and artificial intelligence. Further program details will be announced in October. 

Pricing details in the chart below. 

Option 1: Register for In Person

In Person Members & StudentsNon-Members  
Save My Spot! Save 50% Until September 7 $435 $217.50 Save 50%$525 $262.50 Save 50%
Early Bird September 8 – September 30 $435 $335 Save $100 $525 $425 Save $100 
Regular October 1 onward $435 $525 
BOGO: HR Law + Fall 
Add Fall Conference to your HR Law registration
Add Fall Conference for $295 $150 Add Fall Conference for $395 $180 

In Person Event Pricing Inclusions 
Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come first served basis. 

All registration fees include continental breakfast, light snack and hot buffet lunch. You will also gain access to the on-demand recordings post-event. 

Option 2: Register for Virtual

Virtual MembersNon-Members Students 
Save My Spot! Save 50% Until September 7 $335 $167.50 Save 50% $425 $212.50 Save 50%$100 
Early Bird September 8 – September 30 $335 $235 Save $100 $325 Save $100 $100 
Regular October 1 onward $335 $425 $100 
BOGO: HR Law + Fall 
Add Fall Conference to your HR Law registration
Add Fall Conference for $295 $150 Add Fall Conference for $395 $180 Add Fall Conference for $295 $150 

Virtual Event Pricing Inclusions 
All registration fees include access to the live, virtual streamed sessions as well as access to the conference recordings post-event. 

Not sure of your schedule? Register virtually any way! 

Whether you attend the virtual sessions live or not, register anyway to gain access to the conference recordings. On-demand viewings still qualify for CPD hours and recordings are made available for one year post-event date.  

Plus, if space permits, you can change your virtual registration to be in person. 

Option 3: Register for Corporate Group Rates

Benefit from team, department or company registration with our corporate rates. Corporate rates are applicable to virtual participation and individuals from the same company and may include members or non-members.  

Corporate Rates Pricing
Up to 5 team members $735 – Average price per person: $147 
Up to 10 team members $1,325 – Average price per person: $132.50 
Up to 20 team members  $2,385 – Average price per person: $119.25 
Unlimited $3,325 

Corporate Event Pricing Inclusions 
Pricing is for virtual participation only and includes access to the live, virtual streamed sessions as well as access to the conference recordings post-event. 

CANCELLATIONS, TRANSFERS and REFUNDS

All cancellation requests or inquiries must be received in writing to professionaldevelopment@hrpa.ca.  

Refund Schedule 

  • Start Date: October 18, 2023 
  • Cutoff Date (7 days before the start date): October 11, 2023 
Cancellation Request Date Online Participant Refund In-Person Participant Refund 
14 days or more before the start date 100% refund 100% refund, less $75 admin fee. 
7 – 13 days before the start date 100% refund, less $75 admin fee. 50% refund, less $75 admin fee. 
Less than 7 days before the start date 50% refund, less $75 admin fee. No refund, however participant will maintain access to on-demand recordings. 

Registration participation to or from online participant or in-person participant is allowed only once 14 days prior to event cutoff date, after which time the registration fee will be forfeited.  

A substitute attendee can be sent at no charge. Should the substitute participant cancel at any time, the registration fee will be forfeited.  

Registrants who fail to attend on the day of the event are liable for the entire registration fee.  

HRPA reserves the right to change/modify or cancel any event. HRPA’s liability is limited to the paid registration fee and will not be liable for incidental costs including (but not limited to) hotel and airfare.  

Please note that HRPA reserves the right to modify and update session titles, descriptions, and speakers.

8:15 AM | Registration opens onsite and the event platform goes live.

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM  | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speaker(s):  Kris Tierney, CHRP, CHRL, (she/her), VP, Human Resources and Learning, HRPA  

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM  | Primer Ideas: Highlights to Classic Issues and Trends  
Time for a refresh – Hot Talk style! This session will revisit common employment law requirements to help keep your knowledge fresh and current. We will review: 

  • Termination Clauses 
  • Employee Contracts 
  • Just Causes 
  • Damages and Wrongful Dismissals 
  • New ESA regulation (licensing requirements for temp agencies and recruiters) 

Moderator: Stuart Rudner (he/him), Employment Lawyer & Mediator, Managing Partner, Rudner Law 
Speaker(s): Alex Sinclair (he/him), Partner, Hudson Sinclair LLP; Rich Appiah (he/him), Principal and Lawyer at Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel; Andrew Monkhouse, Managing Partner, Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, Adjunct Professor – Osgoode Hall Law School; Anoushka Zachariah (she/her), Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley 

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM |  Fireside Chat: Strategic Use of Mediation and Arbitration
The litigation process is costly and time-consuming, not to mention mentally and emotionally exhausting. Unsurprisingly, organizations are looking for alternative ways to resolve disputes between parties. This session will examine mediation and arbitration as alternatives that enable parties to address their grievances and negotiate towards a mutual resolution. 

 
Moderator: Stuart Rudner (he/him), Employment Lawyer & Mediator, Managing Partner, Rudner Law 
Speaker(s): Mitchell Rose, LL.B., C. Med, Q. Arb, Rose Dispute Resolution, Mediation and Arbitration; Hena Singh (she/her), Founding Partner, Investigations & Mediations, Singh Lamarche LLP

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Networking Break  

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Panel: Restorative Work Dynamics
This fireside chat will examine the power dynamics and balances of restorative work. Learn best-practices and the necessary principles for becoming equity-informed HR professionals who strengthen, repair, and stabilize the workplace with solutions. Participants will walk away with broad principles and frameworks to help resolve issues regarding conflicts and restorative processes at work. 

Moderator: Misha Munim (she/her), Lawyer, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant, Munim Consulting 
Speaker(s): Sharon Naipaul (she/her), B.R.S., J.D., Mediator, Trainer, and Consultant, Strategic Workplace; Marc Bhalla (he/him), Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator and Educator, Elia Associates Professional Corporation, Barristers and Solicitors

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch

1:15 PM – 2:45 PM | Panel: Human Rights
Get ready for a deep, nuanced discussion on human rights issues. This session will delve into gender identity, invisible disabilities, accessibility, and immigration/refugee hiring practices. It will also share insights into the complexities of intersectionality and how it impacts social structures that dynamically shape experiences of discrimination and privilege. 


Moderator: Nathaniel Marshall(he/him), Workplace Investigator & Employment Lawyer, Marshall Workplace Law 
Speaker(s): Harrison Brown (he/him), Senior Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG); Simon Margolis, Knowledge Management Lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Lorin MacDonald (she/her), JD, LSM, Founder and Principal, HearVue Inc.; Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury Q. Med., Mediator, Lawyer, Adjudicator, Gibson-Chowdhury Mediator; Darrell Pinto, MBA, Director of Employment, Jumpstart Refugee Talent; Cosmina Morariu, LL.M., Partner, Fragomen

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM | Networking Break 

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM  | Open Forum: Ask An Expert
Rounding off our learning, this session invites participants to reflect on the day’s learning. This highly anticipated panel discussion features experts who will address participants’ legal questions and will tackle prominent challenges in employment law.

Moderator: Carey O’Connor, Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley   
Speakers: All speakers from today’s event will participate in this open forum.

4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks and Event Wrap-up   
Speaker(s):  Kris Tierney, CHRP, CHRL, (she/her), VP, Human Resources and Learning, HRPA  

Self-Guided Learning: HRPA Professional Regulation 
One of HRPA’s primary purposes is to promote and protect the public interest by governing and regulating the practice of members, students and firms registered with the Association in accordance with the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 and our by-laws. This session will touch upon self-regulation and how it relates to HRPA, our duties under the Act, and the public interest. It will also examine the potential harms which may occur as a result of practicing HR, as well as the professional guidance available to our members, students and firms to mitigate these risks. 

Speaker(s): Nathalie Moir, Interim, Associate Registrar and Director, Regulatory Operations 

KrisProfile_1
Kris Tierney (she/her), CHRP, CHRL

Vice President, Human Resources and Learning, HRPA

Kris’ approach as an executive leader is to achieve results by creating outstanding workplaces where people and culture are strategic priorities. She is a passionate and skilled business executive with 15 years’ experience leading HR in hi-tech, high growth companies in automotive and financial services, where she served as a trusted people and culture strategist, advisor and business partner to the C-Suite.

Kris started her career in hospitality where she held various leadership and management positions. For more than 20 years, Kris has served as a valued member of senior and executive leadership teams, where her skills in HR, leadership, strategy and culture were honed and her passion for business and HR were developed. She is periodically called upon by media, conferences and academia to contribute her experience and perspectives as an HR and business leader.

Kris has achieved the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations as awarded by HRPA. As a lifelong learner, Kris is thrilled to bring professional development and learning opportunities to the HR community in her role as Vice-President, Human Resources and Learning at HRPA.

Marshall, Nathaniel
Nathaniel Marshall (he/him)

Workplace Investigator & Employment Lawyer, Marshall Workplace Law

Nathaniel is the founder of Marshall Workplace Law. He is a prominent workplace investigator and is known for conducting complex investigations in a variety of sectors including police services, school boards, universities, hospitals, municipalities, and crown corporations. Nathaniel provides proactive solutions that are tailored to each client’s workplace culture and not only designs processes to address their specific needs, but also withstand legal scrutiny. Additionally, Nathaniel is sought out for his expertise in conducting investigations related to applicable human rights legislation, and specifically with regard to anti-Black racism. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Dean’s List) in Political Science, and a Juris Doctorate, both from Dalhousie University, where he was a member of the Indigenous Black & Mi’Kmaq Initiative. Nathaniel carries on a national practice and is called to the bar in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Nunavut. 

Munim, Misha
Misha Munim (she/her)

Lawyer | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant , Munim Consulting

Misha Munim is an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategist at Munim Consulting. She helps organizations cultivate inclusive, accessible environments free of discrimination and harassment.  Prior to launching her consulting practice, Misha served as a Human Rights Lawyer in both Canada and South Africa.

In Ottawa, her research supported the drafting of Federal equality legislation such as the Accessible Canada Act and human rights litigation at the Supreme Court of Canada.  In Cape Town, South Africa, Misha defended the rights of transgender prison inmates and participated actively in helping South Africa pass its first hate speech bill to protect racial minorities.  

As an investigator in both public service and private practice, Misha has conducted numerous, complex human rights investigations through a trauma-informed lens.

Misha has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across Canada, facilitating the resolution of human rights matters in accordance with Indigenous restorative justice traditions.  Misha holds a dual Juris Doctor/Master of Arts from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Outside of work, Misha enjoys retreating in nature, swimming, and reading social justice books. She also volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario, providing free legal advice to Canadians in areas of human rights and employment law. 

Rudner, Stuart
Stuart Rudner (he/him)

Employment Lawyer & Mediator, Managing Partner, Rudner Law

Stuart Rudner is a leading Employment Lawyer and Mediator. For eight consecutive years, he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in ‘The Best Lawyers in Canada’ in the area of Employment Law, and he has been repeatedly named in Canadian HR Reporter’s Employment Lawyers Directory (a comprehensive directory of the top employment law and immigration law practitioners in Canada).  

He was also named one of Canada’s top Legal Social Media Influencers and recognized as the only Legal Influencer in Canadian HR Law in the first Lexology Awards. Stuart is the founder of Rudner Law, which was selected as the Silver Winner for Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm in the Canadian HR Awards, and has been selected as one of the Top Three Employment & Labour Boutiques in Canadian HR Reporter Readers’ Choice Awards for the past four years.  

Rudner Law was chosen as the winner of the 2019 and 2020 International Advisory Experts Award – Employment Law within Canada and the winner of the Canadian Employment Law Firm of the Year for 2019 and 2020 in the Global Law Experts Annual Awards.  

Stuart is the author of You’re Fired! Just Cause for Dismissal in Canada and has contributed to several other texts. He comments frequently in the media on Employment Law matters, moderates several blogs, and hosts a monthly online show: Fire Away. Relationships are what matters to Stuart, whether it is spending time with his family and friends or being a trusted advisor to his clients. Stuart and his team know that our clients don’t have Employment Law questions; they have business decisions to make, and their job is to ensure that their clients make informed decisions. 

Appiah, Rich
Rich Appiah

Employment and Labour Counsel, Appiah Law

Rich Appiah is the principal of Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel. He provides expert strategic counsel and legal representation in HR law to businesses of all sizes, as well as to managers and senior executives.   

Called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006, Rich has significant experience as a negotiator and litigator. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of Ontario courts and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He has also represented clients before boards of arbitration, the provincial and federal Human Rights Tribunals, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (Employment Standards Branch), and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.  In 2016, Rich was recognized as a “Lawyer to Watch” by Lexpert Magazine. Since 2019, he has been recognized by his peers as a leading practitioner in employment law in the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory  

Rich has published extensively and frequently presents at conferences on matters relating to employment and labour law and legal ethics. He also provides media commentary on pressing legal developments, including as a featured guest for all major Canadian news networks. With a lifelong commitment to volunteerism, Rich serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Guelph and is chair of the Board’s Human Resources and Governance and Membership Committees. He serves on the Board of Directors of STEPS Public Art (as a former chair and current interim chair); and has been an elected member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Employment and Labour Section Executive. He is also the former president of Delisle Youth Services. 

Bhalla, Marc
Marc Bhalla, (he/him), LL.M., C.Med, C.Arb.

Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator and Educator

Marc’s practice is rooted in community conflict management. His two decades of experience in mediating include a relationship focus that is widely applicable and relatable to HR professionals. He also serves on provincial and municipal administrative tribunals. 

Marc is a faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Professional LL.M. in Dispute Resolution program. He also develops curricula and teaches at the York University School of Continuing Studies, and guest lectures at several of the country’s top law schools. 

Marc is a non-Indigenous ally and Academic Partner of the Authentic Allyship Project. Alongside celebrated Métis scholar Andrea Menard, he participates in publications, presentations and gatherings which encourage authentic support of Indigenous Peoples.  

Marc has spoken about conflict management across the continent and has been widely published with over 100 articles in a variety of magazines, peer-reviewed academic journals and trade publications. He has also written Canada’s first book about Online Dispute Resolution, ODR – Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. (2022) as well as Reflections on Allyship (2023), a charitable project raising funds for the Indigenous-led, grassroots Moose Hide Campaign. Last but not least, Marc contributes a regular column to SLAW online legal magazine and is serving his second term as Ontario’s sole elected representative on the Board of Directors of the ADR Institute of Canada. 

Brown, Harrison
Harrison Brown

Senior Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Harrison is a trusted management advisor and advocate in both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. He advises clients on a variety of issues, including legislative and regulatory compliance, wrongful dismissal and human rights litigation, labour disputes, employee privacy, and workplace health and safety.  

Harrison is also a skilled investigator with experience conducting and advising on complex, multi-party investigations concerning issues of harassment, discrimination, and other breaches of corporate policy. Prior to joining BLG, Harrison practiced at a highly regarded boutique employment and workplace investigations firm in Toronto. 

Carey O'Connor - Photo
Carey O’Connor

Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley 

Carey O’Connor is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. She advises employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues, with particular focus on employment litigation, grievance arbitration and collective bargaining.  

Carey has substantial experience litigating matters related to occupational health and safety issues and collective agreement interpretation. She works closely with her clients to respond to and defend orders and charges under theOccupational Health and Safety Act. She has considerable experience in the college, university, healthcare, and municipal sectors and is regarded as a thought leader on pandemic-related legal issues, having guided many employers through changing requirements and subsequent labour-related challenges.  

Carey uses her undergraduate education in commerce to develop a deep understanding of each organization. Her clients trust her as their strategic advisor and count on her to find the best strategies to mitigate risk. She is practical and quick to identify core issues. She uses her subject-matter expertise and clear thinking to negotiate positive settlements and litigate successful outcomes.  

Gibson-Chowdhury, Afsana
Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury Q. Med

Mediator, Lawyer, Adjudicator

Afsana  is a lawyer, Qualified Mediator and founder of ‘Gibson Chowdhury’, a Toronto-based mediation boutique, specializing in workplace discrimination and civil and commercial disputes. She serves as an Adjudicator on the Property Standards Committee for the City of Toronto and is a past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s (OBA) ADR Section Executive board. During her time at the OBA, Afsana co-chaired a groundbreaking report called ‘Neutral Diversity in Ontario’, in an effort to increase diversity in the mediation profession.  

Additionally, she is a committee member of the prestigious Winkler Institute where she helps organize cutting edge material for the annual Winkler/Osgoode PD/IAM conference. She has written several CLE programs on equity, diversity, inclusion and intercultural communications. She is a member of the International Academy of Mediators’ DEI committee where she  builds helpful tools for lawyers and mediators to break down gender and racial barriers. Afsana is often asked to  present globally on issues concerning dispute resolution and EDI in ADR. Moreover, she is the recipient of the ADR Institute of Ontario’s Star Awards.  

Afsana is a British-born national and daughter of British Muslim immigrant parents from Bangladesh. She is now a Canadian immigrant where she enjoys the company of her husband and three children, living in the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, also known as Toronto. 

MacDonald, Lorin
Lorin MacDonald (She/Her/Hers)

JD, LSM, Founder, HearVue

Born with profound hearing loss, Lorin MacDonald is a human rights lawyer supporting people with disabilities, an accessibility advocate, and the Founder of HearVue, a social enterprise dedicated to disability awareness and communication inclusion via captions and subtitles.

For over 30 years, Lorin has displayed her leadership, passion, and commitment to accessibility and inclusion. She is one of Canada’s top advocacy voices, steadfast in her belief that Canadians with disabilities have an unfettered right to full participation. Her impact as a change agent is remarkable given its cross-disability breadth: the arts, health care, legislation, education, access to justice, and communities have been beneficiaries of her expertise and dedication.

Too often, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion conversations neglect disability and accessibility; Lorin ensures this is not so. In addition to human rights and disability awareness presentations, Lorin provides engaging commentary on LinkedIn, contributes thoughtful opinion pieces to Canadian Lawyer magazine to educate the legal profession, and volunteers with the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations to advance equity initiatives.

Lorin’s accolades are many: the Women’s Executive Network 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, the Law Society of Ontario Medal (LSM), its highest honour, for outstanding service to make the profession more accessible and inclusive, and induction to the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame for extraordinary contributions to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Lorin was selected for Diversability’s 2023 D-30 Disability Impact List, one of 30 global disability leaders from 12 countries and the only honouree from Canada.

Margolis, Simon
Simon Margolis

Knowledge Management Lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Simon summered and articled with BLG and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2020. Prior to this role, Simon maintained a broad commercial litigation practice. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and has obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, where he studied history and political science. Prior to law school, Simon worked as a Policy Intern at a neurodiversity and autism advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. 

Moir, Nathalie
Nathalie Moir (she/her)

(Interim) Associate Registrar and Director, Regulatory Operations

Nathalie Moir is the (Interim) Associate Registrar and Director of Regulatory Operations at HRPA within the Office of the Registrar. In this role she is responsible for exercising a variety of powers delegated by the Registrar pursuant to Section 13 (2) of the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 (the Act)., and the day-to-day operations within the HRPA’s Office of the Registrar. The breadth and depth of Nathalie’s professional level experience is from various regulatory bodies within Ontario, which has bequeathed upon her a sound understanding of regulation and governance.  

Monkhouse, Andrew
Andrew Monkhouse

Managing Partner, Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, Adjunct Professor – Osgoode Hall Law School

Managing Partner, Legal Author, Law Professor, Business Owner and Community Volunteer. Andrew has many roles. In his role as a litigator he took the most employment law cases to trial of any lawyer in Ontario between 2013 and 2023 and has exceptional in-court experience. 

Andrew is a pioneer in Class Actions work having started the first contractor/employee class action in Ontario and the first vacation-holiday underpayment class actions. 

Andrew has worked tirelessly for clients in civil litigation, specializing in employment, human rights, and disability insurance law. Andrew has an academic appointment to teach courses at Osgoode Hall Law School as an adjunct (part time) professor where he teaches law students. 

Andrew is extremely active in his involvement in legal organizations devoted to training, networking, and improving legal skills among employment lawyers. Andrew is the founding President of the ELAO – Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario (ELAO) – which represents and organizes events for employment lawyers in Ontario. He is also the current Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Labour and Employment Section and the current Secretary of the Canadian Bar Association Labour and Employment Section. Andrew has spoken at countless educational seminars providing his legal knowledge to other lawyers on a variety of topics. 

As the managing partner of Monkhouse Law, Andrew has grown the firm, which ranked as the top growing law firm in Canada in 2019 according to the Globe and Mail, in all of North America by the Financial Times again in 2020, and in Ontario in 2020 again by the Globe and Mail. Monkhouse Law has been selected as a finalist for “Labour & Employment Law Boutique of the Year” by the Canadian HR awards three times (2018, 2019, 2020) and was the silver winner of the “University of Waterloo Award for Next Generation Employment Innovation” award in 2020. Among many other awards, Monkhouse Law was chosen as the “readers’ choice” award by the Toronto Star in 2019. 

Andrew is a published author in employment law, currently serving as the lead author of “Canadian Forms and Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment,” published by LexisNexis Canada. 

He volunteers his time as the Convener (organizer) of the Osgoode Cup, Canada’s largest legal competition held on an annual basis. 

You can also follow Andrew on Twitter: @andrewmonkhouse 

Morariu, Cosmina
Cosmina Morariu, LL.M.

Partner, Fragomen 

At Fragomen’s Toronto office Cosmina is responsible for Canadian temporary and permanent residence immigration matters, as well as consular and document procurement filings. She also leads the firm’s private client practice in Toronto. Cosmina supports clients with various Canadian work permit and entry visa requirements, including Labour Market impact assessments, electronic travel authorizations, inadmissibility applications and permanent residence filings. She also assists clients in understanding their obligations with immigration programs and provides support in relation to employer compliance reviews, audits and inspections. 

Cosmina is experienced in supporting major global businesses and smaller, locally based businesses across various industries, assisting them in implementing cost-effective relocation strategies, as well as planning their foreign population. She also regularly interacts with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) domestic case processing centers, the Canada Border Services Agencies at various ports of entry, as well as Canadian consulates and Canadian embassies worldwide. Additionally, she provides feedback to authorities on policy and procedural matters as part of the Toronto office’s government relations team. 

Cosmina volunteers as a mentor through the Women Mobilizing Women program in Toronto. She also participates in the Toronto office’s initiatives working closely with the Herbie Fund to provide the immigration services needed to bring children from around the world to SickKids.   

Cosmina speaks English, French and Romanian. She holds a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation as well as an Immigration Practitioner Certificate from Seneca College. 

Naipaul, Sharon
Sharon Naipaul (she/her), B.R.S., J.D.

Mediator, Trainer, and Consultant at Strategic Workplace: Equity and Conflict Resolution Solutions

Sharon provides mediation, workplace restoration, workplace assessments, training and other supports to a wide range of workplaces. She has 15 years of experience in labour, employment and human rights as both a practicing lawyer and a mediator. She has mediated close to a thousand disputes, including many multi-party and extremely complex, high-profile cases. 

Sharon gained her expertise in workplace issues when she began her career in private practice for a prominent union-side labour law firm in Toronto. Following that, she went in-house at a major public service union as a litigator. She then spent many years as a Senior Mediator at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Subsequently, Sharon returned to private legal practice as a workplace investigator, conducting numerous complex investigations. 

Sharon’s goal is to incorporate anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-hierarchical, and trauma-informed principles into allher work. She is deeply passionate about the power that mediation and mediation-related processes have to transform workplaces and conflicts, and about the as-yet untapped potential of mediation if applied in a wider variety of contexts. 

While at Western Law she interned at the International Labour Organization in Geneva, and led both the Diversity Committee and Labour Law Society.In addition to her J.D., Sharon holds the Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from Windsor Law/Stitt Feld Handy Group, the Transformative Mediation Certificate from the University of Waterloo/Community Justice Initiatives, the Advanced Workplace Restoration Certificate through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, and is a designated Workplace Fairness Assessor. She is a member of ADRIO, ADRIC and is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. She is also the co-founder of the Women’s Indo-Caribbean Entrepreneurial Group. Sharon is also a Volunteer Roster Mediator with The Neighbourhood Group and a Coach for York University’s Certificate in Dispute Resolution program at their School of Continuing Studies. She is also on multiple mediator rosters providing neutral mediation services in labour and employment. 

Pinto, Darrell
Darrell Pinto, MBA

Director of Employment, Jumpstart Refugee Talent

Darrell is a senior executive who has honed his strategic consulting and people-focused leadership in Toronto, New York, London, and Shanghai at companies spanning private and public financial markets, pharmaceuticals, media and non-profits. In his current role he leverages his extensive corporate relationships to create a pathway to meaningful employment for refugees. 

He thrives in situations where he can combine solving big problems through design thinking. Darrell’s capacious commitment to volunteerism and community building is rooted in his belief that we are all stronger if we can find ways to help each other be our best. He has served on the boards of several non-profits and was a previous co-chair with Senator Ratna Omidvar of the national Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable, a working coalition of 150 Canadian organizations collaborating to find meaningful jobs for refugees. He is also host of a national talk show on the New Canadians TV platform on issues related to inclusion, immigration, and multiculturalism. 

Rose, Mitchell
Mitchell Rose, LL.B., C. Med, Q. Arb

Rose Dispute Resolution, Mediation and Arbitration

Mitchell is the principal of Ontario-based Mitchell Rose Professional Corporation (Rose Dispute Resolution and Mitchell Rose Law). Throughout most of his legal career, Mitch was a civil and employment litigator. As his mediation practice grew, he  became a Settlement Counsel (ADR Lawyer) who negotiates and attends mediations and pre-trials as an advocate. He also advises employers on a range of legal issues.  

Mitch offers dispute resolution services (mediation, mediation-arbitration, and arbitration) for a variety of civil disputes, including wrongful dismissal. A former Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Ontario Bar Association (2020-21), Mitch is a member of the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, and a former member of the board of directors of the ADR Institute of Ontario. He is also a member of the executive of the OBA’s Labour and Employment Law Section. Mitch is also a frequent writer and speaker on ADR and employment law-related topics. 

Sinclair, Alex
Alex Sinclair, B.A., J.D.

Partner, Hudson Sinclair

In his current role, Alex practises in all areas of labour and employment law. He provides proactive and tailored advice on varied labour and employment issues. Alex regularly guides employers through high-stakes legal issues, including complex terminations involving significant legal risks. 

Alex is a tenacious advocate who 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. He 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 both the Toronto and Oakville offices. 

Singh, Hena
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. 

Walter Yoo headshot
Walter Yoo

Senior Associate, Monkhouse Law 

Walter is a Senior Associate at Monkhouse Law. Walter is a barrister and solicitor, licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, practicing employment law.  

Walter received his JD from the University of Windsor after obtaining an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in political science and philosophy.  

 

During law school, Walter volunteered as a litigator and caseworker at community legal aid and participated in several moot and alternative dispute resolution competitions. During his third year of law school, Walter studied human rights at the University of Essex in England.  

 

Prior to joining Monkhouse Law as an associate, Walter worked at prominent personal injury law firms where he was exposed to each step of handling a case. He completed his articles at a downtown litigation firm where he participated in trials and appeals in complex medical malpractice and personal injury matters.  

 

When not working Walter enjoys watching the Raptors and exploring the great outdoors on foot or bicycle.  

Zachariah , Anoushka
Anoushka Zachariah

Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley

Anoushka advises employers and social-service providers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors regarding issues arising from employment relationships and the provision of services to the public. 

Anoushka has successfully defended employers against a wide range of claims including human rights allegations, contractual disputes and wrongful dismissal actions. She has appeared as counsel before various courts and administrative tribunals including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. While in law school she interned for the Chief Judge of the 35th District Court in Plymouth, Michigan. 

KrisProfile_1
Kris Tierney (she/her), CHRP, CHRL

Vice President, Human Resources and Learning, HRPA

Kris’ approach as an executive leader is to achieve results by creating outstanding workplaces where people and culture are strategic priorities. She is a passionate and skilled business executive with 15 years’ experience leading HR in hi-tech, high growth companies in automotive and financial services, where she served as a trusted people and culture strategist, advisor and business partner to the C-Suite.

Kris started her career in hospitality where she held various leadership and management positions. For more than 20 years, Kris has served as a valued member of senior and executive leadership teams, where her skills in HR, leadership, strategy and culture were honed and her passion for business and HR were developed. She is periodically called upon by media, conferences and academia to contribute her experience and perspectives as an HR and business leader.

Kris has achieved the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations as awarded by HRPA. As a lifelong learner, Kris is thrilled to bring professional development and learning opportunities to the HR community in her role as Vice-President, Human Resources and Learning at HRPA.

Marshall, Nathaniel
Nathaniel Marshall (he/him)

Workplace Investigator & Employment Lawyer, Marshall Workplace Law

Nathaniel is the founder of Marshall Workplace Law. He is a prominent workplace investigator and is known for conducting complex investigations in a variety of sectors including police services, school boards, universities, hospitals, municipalities, and crown corporations. Nathaniel provides proactive solutions that are tailored to each client’s workplace culture and not only designs processes to address their specific needs, but also withstand legal scrutiny. Additionally, Nathaniel is sought out for his expertise in conducting investigations related to applicable human rights legislation, and specifically with regard to anti-Black racism. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Dean’s List) in Political Science, and a Juris Doctorate, both from Dalhousie University, where he was a member of the Indigenous Black & Mi’Kmaq Initiative. Nathaniel carries on a national practice and is called to the bar in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Nunavut. 

Munim, Misha
Misha Munim (she/her)

Lawyer | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant , Munim Consulting

Misha Munim is an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategist at Munim Consulting. She helps organizations cultivate inclusive, accessible environments free of discrimination and harassment.  Prior to launching her consulting practice, Misha served as a Human Rights Lawyer in both Canada and South Africa.

In Ottawa, her research supported the drafting of Federal equality legislation such as the Accessible Canada Act and human rights litigation at the Supreme Court of Canada.  In Cape Town, South Africa, Misha defended the rights of transgender prison inmates and participated actively in helping South Africa pass its first hate speech bill to protect racial minorities.  

As an investigator in both public service and private practice, Misha has conducted numerous, complex human rights investigations through a trauma-informed lens.

Misha has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across Canada, facilitating the resolution of human rights matters in accordance with Indigenous restorative justice traditions.  Misha holds a dual Juris Doctor/Master of Arts from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Outside of work, Misha enjoys retreating in nature, swimming, and reading social justice books. She also volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario, providing free legal advice to Canadians in areas of human rights and employment law. 

Rudner, Stuart
Stuart Rudner (he/him)

Employment Lawyer & Mediator, Managing Partner, Rudner Law

Stuart Rudner is a leading Employment Lawyer and Mediator. For eight consecutive years, he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in ‘The Best Lawyers in Canada’ in the area of Employment Law, and he has been repeatedly named in Canadian HR Reporter’s Employment Lawyers Directory (a comprehensive directory of the top employment law and immigration law practitioners in Canada).  

He was also named one of Canada’s top Legal Social Media Influencers and recognized as the only Legal Influencer in Canadian HR Law in the first Lexology Awards. Stuart is the founder of Rudner Law, which was selected as the Silver Winner for Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm in the Canadian HR Awards, and has been selected as one of the Top Three Employment & Labour Boutiques in Canadian HR Reporter Readers’ Choice Awards for the past four years.  

Rudner Law was chosen as the winner of the 2019 and 2020 International Advisory Experts Award – Employment Law within Canada and the winner of the Canadian Employment Law Firm of the Year for 2019 and 2020 in the Global Law Experts Annual Awards.  

Stuart is the author of You’re Fired! Just Cause for Dismissal in Canada and has contributed to several other texts. He comments frequently in the media on Employment Law matters, moderates several blogs, and hosts a monthly online show: Fire Away. Relationships are what matters to Stuart, whether it is spending time with his family and friends or being a trusted advisor to his clients. Stuart and his team know that our clients don’t have Employment Law questions; they have business decisions to make, and their job is to ensure that their clients make informed decisions. 

Appiah, Rich
Rich Appiah

Employment and Labour Counsel, Appiah Law

Rich Appiah is the principal of Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel. He provides expert strategic counsel and legal representation in HR law to businesses of all sizes, as well as to managers and senior executives.   

Called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006, Rich has significant experience as a negotiator and litigator. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of Ontario courts and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He has also represented clients before boards of arbitration, the provincial and federal Human Rights Tribunals, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (Employment Standards Branch), and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.  In 2016, Rich was recognized as a “Lawyer to Watch” by Lexpert Magazine. Since 2019, he has been recognized by his peers as a leading practitioner in employment law in the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory  

Rich has published extensively and frequently presents at conferences on matters relating to employment and labour law and legal ethics. He also provides media commentary on pressing legal developments, including as a featured guest for all major Canadian news networks. With a lifelong commitment to volunteerism, Rich serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Guelph and is chair of the Board’s Human Resources and Governance and Membership Committees. He serves on the Board of Directors of STEPS Public Art (as a former chair and current interim chair); and has been an elected member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Employment and Labour Section Executive. He is also the former president of Delisle Youth Services. 

Bhalla, Marc
Marc Bhalla, (he/him), LL.M., C.Med, C.Arb.

Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator and Educator

Marc’s practice is rooted in community conflict management. His two decades of experience in mediating include a relationship focus that is widely applicable and relatable to HR professionals. He also serves on provincial and municipal administrative tribunals. 

Marc is a faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Professional LL.M. in Dispute Resolution program. He also develops curricula and teaches at the York University School of Continuing Studies, and guest lectures at several of the country’s top law schools. 

Marc is a non-Indigenous ally and Academic Partner of the Authentic Allyship Project. Alongside celebrated Métis scholar Andrea Menard, he participates in publications, presentations and gatherings which encourage authentic support of Indigenous Peoples.  

Marc has spoken about conflict management across the continent and has been widely published with over 100 articles in a variety of magazines, peer-reviewed academic journals and trade publications. He has also written Canada’s first book about Online Dispute Resolution, ODR – Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. (2022) as well as Reflections on Allyship (2023), a charitable project raising funds for the Indigenous-led, grassroots Moose Hide Campaign. Last but not least, Marc contributes a regular column to SLAW online legal magazine and is serving his second term as Ontario’s sole elected representative on the Board of Directors of the ADR Institute of Canada. 

Brown, Harrison
Harrison Brown

Senior Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Harrison is a trusted management advisor and advocate in both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. He advises clients on a variety of issues, including legislative and regulatory compliance, wrongful dismissal and human rights litigation, labour disputes, employee privacy, and workplace health and safety.  

Harrison is also a skilled investigator with experience conducting and advising on complex, multi-party investigations concerning issues of harassment, discrimination, and other breaches of corporate policy. Prior to joining BLG, Harrison practiced at a highly regarded boutique employment and workplace investigations firm in Toronto. 

Carey O'Connor - Photo
Carey O’Connor

Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley 

Carey O’Connor is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. She advises employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues, with particular focus on employment litigation, grievance arbitration and collective bargaining.  

Carey has substantial experience litigating matters related to occupational health and safety issues and collective agreement interpretation. She works closely with her clients to respond to and defend orders and charges under theOccupational Health and Safety Act. She has considerable experience in the college, university, healthcare, and municipal sectors and is regarded as a thought leader on pandemic-related legal issues, having guided many employers through changing requirements and subsequent labour-related challenges.  

Carey uses her undergraduate education in commerce to develop a deep understanding of each organization. Her clients trust her as their strategic advisor and count on her to find the best strategies to mitigate risk. She is practical and quick to identify core issues. She uses her subject-matter expertise and clear thinking to negotiate positive settlements and litigate successful outcomes.  

Gibson-Chowdhury, Afsana
Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury Q. Med

Mediator, Lawyer, Adjudicator

Afsana  is a lawyer, Qualified Mediator and founder of ‘Gibson Chowdhury’, a Toronto-based mediation boutique, specializing in workplace discrimination and civil and commercial disputes. She serves as an Adjudicator on the Property Standards Committee for the City of Toronto and is a past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s (OBA) ADR Section Executive board. During her time at the OBA, Afsana co-chaired a groundbreaking report called ‘Neutral Diversity in Ontario’, in an effort to increase diversity in the mediation profession.  

Additionally, she is a committee member of the prestigious Winkler Institute where she helps organize cutting edge material for the annual Winkler/Osgoode PD/IAM conference. She has written several CLE programs on equity, diversity, inclusion and intercultural communications. She is a member of the International Academy of Mediators’ DEI committee where she  builds helpful tools for lawyers and mediators to break down gender and racial barriers. Afsana is often asked to  present globally on issues concerning dispute resolution and EDI in ADR. Moreover, she is the recipient of the ADR Institute of Ontario’s Star Awards.  

Afsana is a British-born national and daughter of British Muslim immigrant parents from Bangladesh. She is now a Canadian immigrant where she enjoys the company of her husband and three children, living in the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, also known as Toronto. 

MacDonald, Lorin
Lorin MacDonald (She/Her/Hers)

JD, LSM, Founder, HearVue

Born with profound hearing loss, Lorin MacDonald is a human rights lawyer supporting people with disabilities, an accessibility advocate, and the Founder of HearVue, a social enterprise dedicated to disability awareness and communication inclusion via captions and subtitles.

For over 30 years, Lorin has displayed her leadership, passion, and commitment to accessibility and inclusion. She is one of Canada’s top advocacy voices, steadfast in her belief that Canadians with disabilities have an unfettered right to full participation. Her impact as a change agent is remarkable given its cross-disability breadth: the arts, health care, legislation, education, access to justice, and communities have been beneficiaries of her expertise and dedication.

Too often, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion conversations neglect disability and accessibility; Lorin ensures this is not so. In addition to human rights and disability awareness presentations, Lorin provides engaging commentary on LinkedIn, contributes thoughtful opinion pieces to Canadian Lawyer magazine to educate the legal profession, and volunteers with the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations to advance equity initiatives.

Lorin’s accolades are many: the Women’s Executive Network 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, the Law Society of Ontario Medal (LSM), its highest honour, for outstanding service to make the profession more accessible and inclusive, and induction to the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame for extraordinary contributions to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Lorin was selected for Diversability’s 2023 D-30 Disability Impact List, one of 30 global disability leaders from 12 countries and the only honouree from Canada.

Margolis, Simon
Simon Margolis

Knowledge Management Lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Simon summered and articled with BLG and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2020. Prior to this role, Simon maintained a broad commercial litigation practice. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and has obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, where he studied history and political science. Prior to law school, Simon worked as a Policy Intern at a neurodiversity and autism advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. 

Moir, Nathalie
Nathalie Moir (she/her)

(Interim) Associate Registrar and Director, Regulatory Operations

Nathalie Moir is the (Interim) Associate Registrar and Director of Regulatory Operations at HRPA within the Office of the Registrar. In this role she is responsible for exercising a variety of powers delegated by the Registrar pursuant to Section 13 (2) of the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 (the Act)., and the day-to-day operations within the HRPA’s Office of the Registrar. The breadth and depth of Nathalie’s professional level experience is from various regulatory bodies within Ontario, which has bequeathed upon her a sound understanding of regulation and governance.  

Monkhouse, Andrew
Andrew Monkhouse

Managing Partner, Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, Adjunct Professor – Osgoode Hall Law School

Managing Partner, Legal Author, Law Professor, Business Owner and Community Volunteer. Andrew has many roles. In his role as a litigator he took the most employment law cases to trial of any lawyer in Ontario between 2013 and 2023 and has exceptional in-court experience. 

Andrew is a pioneer in Class Actions work having started the first contractor/employee class action in Ontario and the first vacation-holiday underpayment class actions. 

Andrew has worked tirelessly for clients in civil litigation, specializing in employment, human rights, and disability insurance law. Andrew has an academic appointment to teach courses at Osgoode Hall Law School as an adjunct (part time) professor where he teaches law students. 

Andrew is extremely active in his involvement in legal organizations devoted to training, networking, and improving legal skills among employment lawyers. Andrew is the founding President of the ELAO – Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario (ELAO) – which represents and organizes events for employment lawyers in Ontario. He is also the current Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Labour and Employment Section and the current Secretary of the Canadian Bar Association Labour and Employment Section. Andrew has spoken at countless educational seminars providing his legal knowledge to other lawyers on a variety of topics. 

As the managing partner of Monkhouse Law, Andrew has grown the firm, which ranked as the top growing law firm in Canada in 2019 according to the Globe and Mail, in all of North America by the Financial Times again in 2020, and in Ontario in 2020 again by the Globe and Mail. Monkhouse Law has been selected as a finalist for “Labour & Employment Law Boutique of the Year” by the Canadian HR awards three times (2018, 2019, 2020) and was the silver winner of the “University of Waterloo Award for Next Generation Employment Innovation” award in 2020. Among many other awards, Monkhouse Law was chosen as the “readers’ choice” award by the Toronto Star in 2019. 

Andrew is a published author in employment law, currently serving as the lead author of “Canadian Forms and Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment,” published by LexisNexis Canada. 

He volunteers his time as the Convener (organizer) of the Osgoode Cup, Canada’s largest legal competition held on an annual basis. 

You can also follow Andrew on Twitter: @andrewmonkhouse 

Morariu, Cosmina
Cosmina Morariu, LL.M.

Partner, Fragomen 

At Fragomen’s Toronto office Cosmina is responsible for Canadian temporary and permanent residence immigration matters, as well as consular and document procurement filings. She also leads the firm’s private client practice in Toronto. Cosmina supports clients with various Canadian work permit and entry visa requirements, including Labour Market impact assessments, electronic travel authorizations, inadmissibility applications and permanent residence filings. She also assists clients in understanding their obligations with immigration programs and provides support in relation to employer compliance reviews, audits and inspections. 

Cosmina is experienced in supporting major global businesses and smaller, locally based businesses across various industries, assisting them in implementing cost-effective relocation strategies, as well as planning their foreign population. She also regularly interacts with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) domestic case processing centers, the Canada Border Services Agencies at various ports of entry, as well as Canadian consulates and Canadian embassies worldwide. Additionally, she provides feedback to authorities on policy and procedural matters as part of the Toronto office’s government relations team. 

Cosmina volunteers as a mentor through the Women Mobilizing Women program in Toronto. She also participates in the Toronto office’s initiatives working closely with the Herbie Fund to provide the immigration services needed to bring children from around the world to SickKids.   

Cosmina speaks English, French and Romanian. She holds a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation as well as an Immigration Practitioner Certificate from Seneca College. 

Naipaul, Sharon
Sharon Naipaul (she/her), B.R.S., J.D.

Mediator, Trainer, and Consultant at Strategic Workplace: Equity and Conflict Resolution Solutions

Sharon provides mediation, workplace restoration, workplace assessments, training and other supports to a wide range of workplaces. She has 15 years of experience in labour, employment and human rights as both a practicing lawyer and a mediator. She has mediated close to a thousand disputes, including many multi-party and extremely complex, high-profile cases. 

Sharon gained her expertise in workplace issues when she began her career in private practice for a prominent union-side labour law firm in Toronto. Following that, she went in-house at a major public service union as a litigator. She then spent many years as a Senior Mediator at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Subsequently, Sharon returned to private legal practice as a workplace investigator, conducting numerous complex investigations. 

Sharon’s goal is to incorporate anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-hierarchical, and trauma-informed principles into allher work. She is deeply passionate about the power that mediation and mediation-related processes have to transform workplaces and conflicts, and about the as-yet untapped potential of mediation if applied in a wider variety of contexts. 

While at Western Law she interned at the International Labour Organization in Geneva, and led both the Diversity Committee and Labour Law Society.In addition to her J.D., Sharon holds the Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from Windsor Law/Stitt Feld Handy Group, the Transformative Mediation Certificate from the University of Waterloo/Community Justice Initiatives, the Advanced Workplace Restoration Certificate through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, and is a designated Workplace Fairness Assessor. She is a member of ADRIO, ADRIC and is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. She is also the co-founder of the Women’s Indo-Caribbean Entrepreneurial Group. Sharon is also a Volunteer Roster Mediator with The Neighbourhood Group and a Coach for York University’s Certificate in Dispute Resolution program at their School of Continuing Studies. She is also on multiple mediator rosters providing neutral mediation services in labour and employment. 

Pinto, Darrell
Darrell Pinto, MBA

Director of Employment, Jumpstart Refugee Talent

Darrell is a senior executive who has honed his strategic consulting and people-focused leadership in Toronto, New York, London, and Shanghai at companies spanning private and public financial markets, pharmaceuticals, media and non-profits. In his current role he leverages his extensive corporate relationships to create a pathway to meaningful employment for refugees. 

He thrives in situations where he can combine solving big problems through design thinking. Darrell’s capacious commitment to volunteerism and community building is rooted in his belief that we are all stronger if we can find ways to help each other be our best. He has served on the boards of several non-profits and was a previous co-chair with Senator Ratna Omidvar of the national Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable, a working coalition of 150 Canadian organizations collaborating to find meaningful jobs for refugees. He is also host of a national talk show on the New Canadians TV platform on issues related to inclusion, immigration, and multiculturalism. 

Rose, Mitchell
Mitchell Rose, LL.B., C. Med, Q. Arb

Rose Dispute Resolution, Mediation and Arbitration

Mitchell is the principal of Ontario-based Mitchell Rose Professional Corporation (Rose Dispute Resolution and Mitchell Rose Law). Throughout most of his legal career, Mitch was a civil and employment litigator. As his mediation practice grew, he  became a Settlement Counsel (ADR Lawyer) who negotiates and attends mediations and pre-trials as an advocate. He also advises employers on a range of legal issues.  

Mitch offers dispute resolution services (mediation, mediation-arbitration, and arbitration) for a variety of civil disputes, including wrongful dismissal. A former Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Ontario Bar Association (2020-21), Mitch is a member of the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, and a former member of the board of directors of the ADR Institute of Ontario. He is also a member of the executive of the OBA’s Labour and Employment Law Section. Mitch is also a frequent writer and speaker on ADR and employment law-related topics. 

Sinclair, Alex
Alex Sinclair, B.A., J.D.

Partner, Hudson Sinclair

In his current role, Alex practises in all areas of labour and employment law. He provides proactive and tailored advice on varied labour and employment issues. Alex regularly guides employers through high-stakes legal issues, including complex terminations involving significant legal risks. 

Alex is a tenacious advocate who 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. He 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 both the Toronto and Oakville offices. 

Singh, Hena
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. 

Walter Yoo headshot
Walter Yoo

Senior Associate, Monkhouse Law 

Walter is a Senior Associate at Monkhouse Law. Walter is a barrister and solicitor, licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, practicing employment law.  

Walter received his JD from the University of Windsor after obtaining an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in political science and philosophy.  

 

During law school, Walter volunteered as a litigator and caseworker at community legal aid and participated in several moot and alternative dispute resolution competitions. During his third year of law school, Walter studied human rights at the University of Essex in England.  

 

Prior to joining Monkhouse Law as an associate, Walter worked at prominent personal injury law firms where he was exposed to each step of handling a case. He completed his articles at a downtown litigation firm where he participated in trials and appeals in complex medical malpractice and personal injury matters.  

 

When not working Walter enjoys watching the Raptors and exploring the great outdoors on foot or bicycle.  

Zachariah , Anoushka
Anoushka Zachariah

Labour and Employment Lawyer, Hicks Morley

Anoushka advises employers and social-service providers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors regarding issues arising from employment relationships and the provision of services to the public. 

Anoushka has successfully defended employers against a wide range of claims including human rights allegations, contractual disputes and wrongful dismissal actions. She has appeared as counsel before various courts and administrative tribunals including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. While in law school she interned for the Chief Judge of the 35th District Court in Plymouth, Michigan. 

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Not Myself Today is a social enterprise of the Canadian Mental Health Association, National.

Not Myself Today is all about creating meaningful conversations and deeper understanding of mental health and well-being.

Our clients call it the program with the MOOD BUTTONS!

The mood buttons, kindness cards and other powerful tools and resources in the program encourage honest dialogue about how employees are feeling and how it is okay to not be okay.

Contact for more details: notmyselftoday@cmha.ca

At LexisNexis Canada, we’re committed to delivering information and workflow solutions to Canadian legal professionals to make their work lives easier. LexisNexis® Canada is part of LexisNexis® Legal & Professional, a leading global provider of information and technology solutions that enable professionals in legal, corporate, tax, government, academic and non-profit organizations to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes.

 

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Do you want tools to deal with employee disputes?

Do you have a strategy to address difficult conversations?

Are you avoiding conversations you know you should have?

Could you get better results when negotiating?

More than 55,000 people have turned to us to learn new approaches to conflict management, communication and negotiation.

Workshops:

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution – 27 CPD hours
  • Dealing With Difficult People – 21 CPD hours
  • Become a Powerful Negotiator – 28.5 CPD hours

 

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See Who’s Coming to the Annual HR Law Conference! 

At this conference, you’ll be in good company amidst HR professionals from across Ontario! These are just SOME of the organizations that will be represented at this event. Get your organization on the list! Corporate group discount pricing is available. 

  • Addiction Services Central Ontario
  • Algoma Public Health
  • Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
  • Amica Senior Lifestyles
  • Associated Youth Services Of Peel
  • Atikokan General Hospital
  • Bayshore HealthCare
  • Bayshore Home Care Solutions
  • Canada Post Corporation
  • Canadian Dental Services
  • Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
  • Chudleighs
  • City of Hamilton
  • City of St Catharines
  • Collingwood General and Marine Hospital
  • Columbia Sportswear Company
  • Community Living Dundas County
  • County of Lambton
  • Elections Ontario
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Essex Power Corp
  • FirstOntario Credit Union
  • Hamilton Public Library
  • HearingLife Canada
  • Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
  • Home and Community Care Services
  • Home Depot
  • Huron Perth Health Unit
  • Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
  • Innovation Seven
  • Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic
  • LOFT Community Services
  • Marriott Downtown Toronto Eaton Centre
  • Middlesex Community Living
  • Municipality of Trent Hills
  • Niagara Children’s Centre School Authority
  • North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
  • North Peel Family Health Team
  • North Shore HR Consulting Inc.
  • Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
  • NOVA Chemicals
  • Ontario Pension Board
  • Ontario Provincial Police
  • Ontario Securities Commission
  • Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat
  • Orion Health
  • Ottawa Catholic School Board
  • Ottawa Police Service
  • Owen Sound Transportation Company
  • Oxfam Canada
  • PenFinancial Credit Union
  • Public Safety Canada
  • Red Door HR Inc.
  • Region of Waterloo
  • Robert Bosch Inc.
  • Shiseido Canada Inc
  • SickKids Foundation
  • Sinai Health Foundation
  • Sobeys
  • Starsky Fine Foods
  • TD Canada Trust
  • Teachers Life Insurance Society
  • The Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto
  • The Children’s Aid Society of Oxford
  • The Corporation of the City of Brantford
  • TJX Canada
  • Toronto Dance Theatre
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Toronto Symphony Orchestra
  • Town of Bracebridge
  • Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
  • Toyota
  • University of Guelph
  • University of Toronto
  • West Parry Sound Health Centre
  • WFCU Credit Union
  • Willowbridge Community Services

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

Supporting Sponsors

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Canadian Mental Health Association

Session Sponsor

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Event Partners 

2022 Osgoode Logo