Employment Advice & Disputes

When workplace disputes result in litigation or complaints before administrative tribunals, some of Canada’s largest employers retain Blakes for strategic advice and representation. We possess particular expertise in employment and labour law matters and employment class actions.

Public- and private-sector clients hire us when workplace disputes arise because of our courtroom skills and winning strategies. Our Employment Litigation lawyers represent employers in the enforcement of non-competition and trade secrets agreements, discrimination and harassment claims, wrongful dismissal cases, and related mediation processes. We have litigated contractual and compensation issues, disputes with unions, claims of human rights violations, as well as disputes related to disability accommodations, pay equity, occupational health and safety, and workplace safety and insurance issues.

We work closely with clients to develop strategies for risk avoidance. However, when litigation is unavoidable and clients face large, document-intensive cases, we integrate project management and e-discovery teams, excellent paralegal support, and leading-edge document management technology to manage matters efficiently and cost-effectively. In each instance, our lawyers strategize with clients to determine the best course of action. When aggressive litigation makes the most sense, we take cases to trial and appellate levels, in courts and before tribunals and government agencies. When quick or quiet resolution is the best course of action, we are equally skilled at resolving disputes at the negotiating table and in mediation.

Blakes lawyers are also retained to act as nominees on boards of arbitration and utilize those opportunities to mediate solutions for clients. Additionally, we attend arbitration hearings on behalf of management and have represented clients in judicial reviews of arbitrators' decisions.

Recognized as one of the leading Canadian law firms in defending class-action suits across the country, Blakes is the firm of choice when class-action suits are threatened. Our lawyers have expertise defending domestic and multinational companies against employment-related claims brought on behalf of province-wide classes of employees or former employees. We regularly represent clients on matters before courts at all levels throughout Canada, as well as appear before provincial labour relations boards and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.