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Find Lawyers in Quebec, Canada for Labour and Employment Law
Practice Area Overview
Labour and employment counsel provide assistance with the negotiation, drafting, interpretation, and application of collective agreements and the development of collective bargaining strategies and labour dispute contingency plans.
Counsel also assist with the development, drafting, implementation, and enforcement of workplace policies, the conduct of workplace investigations, and the determination of disciplinary matters and terminations.
They provide assistance with the negotiation and drafting of employment agreements, compensation, benefit and pension matters, and the interpretation and application of all labour and employment related legislation, including apprenticeship standards, employment equity, employment standards, immigration, labour relations, pension, privacy, workplace safety and health, and workers' compensation related legislation.
Labour and employment counsel are also regularly involved in corporate reorganizations and downsizing, mergers and acquisitions, and providing advice on all labour and employment matters that arise during such transactions.
Human rights matters often arise in the employment context and labour and employment counsel also regularly assist clients in dealing with human rights matters, including discrimination and harassment complaints and the duty to accommodate.
Labour and employment counsel also handle all labour and employment related disputes, including disputes relating to conduct during the union organizing and certification process, collective bargaining and strikes and lockouts, grievances and related arbitrations, wrongful dismissal claims, restrictive covenant issues, prosecutions under workplace safety and health legislation, employment equity, employment standards, human rights and privacy related complaints, and pension and workers' compensation issues. As a result, labour and employment counsel regularly appear as advocates for clients before arbitration boards, labour boards, employment equity, human rights, pension, privacy and workers' compensation related tribunals, and provincial and federal courts.
Given today’s work environment, labour and employment related issues can arise at any time and often require immediate attention. Effective labour and employment counsel ensure that they have a full understanding of their client’s operations and business requirements and are equipped to provide practical advice in a timely manner.
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Cities
Tina Aswad is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Montréal office and a member of the firm’s Labour, Employment & Equalities Group. Her practice covers all aspects of collective and individual labour relations, including providing advisory services and drafting employment relationship-related documents such as employment agreements, policies, service agreements, restrictive clauses and compensation plans. She has extensive experience in labour and employment litigation, particul...
A partner at Woods LLP, Eric serves a wide range of industries, including financial services and natural resources. He also handles employment-related matters for employers as well as senior management. Eric is a frequent author and speaker on topics such as evidence, civil procedure and international arbitration. An accomplished trial and appellate lawyer, Eric has developed a particular expertise in domestic and international arbitration. His experience includes acting for Canada in the NAF...
Claudia Desjardins Bélisle represents employers in all types of labour and employment matters, but has developed a special expertise in complex litigation surrounding violation of restrictive covenants and violation of proprietary and confidential information obligations, supporting employers during unionization campaigns and the application of the Charter of the French Language. She regularly represents employers before courts and grievance arbitrators. She advises them on union certi...
Nathalie-Anne Béliveau is a seasoned and experienced litigator who focuses on civil and commercial litigation as well as competition law. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, injunctions, seizures and other urgent extraordinary remedies, including Anton Piller (civil search warrant), Norwich and Mareva injunctions and intellectual property disputes. Nathalie-Anne has leading-edge litigation expertise in breach of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, unfair or ill...
Patrick L. Benaroche is a senior partner in the Employment & Labour Group of the Montreal office. With a background in organizational psychology, Patrick provides advice to major corporations on all aspects of Canadian employment and labour law, with an emphasis on cross-border issues affecting a mobile workforce. Patrick appears regularly before both civil and administrative tribunals on matters relating to wrongful dismissal, workplace harassment and discrimination, non-competition clau...
Serge Benoît is a partner in our firm who graduated from the Université de Montréal and was called to the Québec Bar in 1977. His extensive experience as a litigator and negotiator benefits employers in various fields including manufacturing, metallurgy, municipalities, retail, cement manufacturing, service organizations, and public and parapublic organizations. During the implementation of the Act Respecting Municipal Territorial Organization dealing with municipal...
Louis P. Bernier practises labour and employment law. He also specializes in administrative and constitutional law, with a focus on extraordinary remedies and Charter issues. Louis appears before various bodies and tribunals and actively defends the rights of clients at every step in the proceedings. Louis has many years of experience in major files and has a unique perspective on every aspect involved in the organization of work and operations management, including restructurings, subcontrac...
Anne-Marie’s sense of priorities and organization were well-earned as she pursued her career alongside raising four children. Having settled and pleaded a great number of cases before the courts, Anne-Marie is known as a skillful litigator with a friendly demeanour. She has a marked interest in alternative means of conflict resolution and excels when it comes to finding creative solutions to address delicate situations. She joined Monette Barakett in 1985 and became partner in 1997. She...
Catherine Biron, CPHR, is a partner in the Montréal office of Langlois Lawyers. She advises and represents businesses on all aspects of labour and employment law, human rights, company policies, health and safety and working relations. Catherine holds a master’s degree in labour law and human rights law from the University of Oxford (England) and she is a graduate of McGill’s Executive Institute, as well as CPHR. She represents and counsels unionized and non-unionized busin...
Richard is a natural storyteller and his many stories have elicited much laughter from both clients and colleagues. He is a mighty and strategic litigator who leaves nothing to chance. Richard joined Monette Barakett in 1980. He is a long-standing partner and was a member of the executive committee for over 25 years. He served as managing partner from 2012 to 2017.Richard specializes in labour and employment law in the public, parapublic and private sectors. For more than thirty years, he has...
With more than 35 years of experience in the field and a sought-after expertise in negotiating working conditions, Michel Brisebois advises large companies on major strategic issues, whether governed by provincial or federal labour laws. Michel assists major clients in negotiating collective agreements with workers’ unions. He also represents private and semi-public companies at arbitration hearings before tribunals at all levels. He advises and acts as an attorney for grievances or com...
Benoit Brouillette is a partner in the Labour and Employment Law Group. He serves a clientele that includes private, public and parapublic organizations and assists them in their daily and strategic management of human resources and labour relations. Mr. Brouillette represents employers before administrative tribunals and courts of justice. He also acts as an employer spokesperson or strategic adviser in the negotiation of collective agreements. Within his practice, he provides training adapt...
Me Sylvain Chabot, partner, B.A., CRIA, has been a member of the Bar since 1998 and is listed in the Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 directory. He practices in labour and employment law and his clientele is composed exclusively of employers. He advises them in matters of collective and individual labour relations, labour standards, industrial accidents and occupational diseases, occupational health and safety, human rights and freedoms, as well as administrative law. He frequently represents his ...
Audrey Charest practices labour and construction law at our Montreal office. She cumulates several years' experience in the construction industry as a lawyer in labour relations, occupational health and safety and criminal law. Audrey works on a variety of business and management issues, including the application and interpretation of Bill R-20, collective agreements and workforce management. She also has experience as a corporate trainer on psychological and sexual harassment in the workplac...
Alexis-François Charette practises in various areas of employment and labour law. He advises employers on collective and individual labour relations, particularly labour standards, individual disputes, grievance arbitration, the certification process, orders and injunctions in labour disputes, the drafting of contracts of employment and company policies, criminal liability in occupational health and safety matters, the protection of personal information, discrimination and human rights...
Alexis Charpentier practices in the area of labour law, with a focus on collective labour relations, labour standards, and human rights. As such, he counsels a varied clientele on how to manage their human resources. Alexis frequently appears in grievance adjudications and before the Tribunal administratif du travail on matters related to disciplinary measures, the management’s right to manage, psychological harassment, accommodation measures, human rights, and the certification process...
Jean-François Cloutier is a partner at Fasken and specializes in labour and employment law as well as administration law. He advises businesses from both the public and private sectors and represents them before civil courts and administrative tribunals. In recent years, he has taken an interest in all aspects of both collective and individual employment relations. He has also developed an expertise in matters of legal-medical import, specifically in absenteeism management, the duty to...
Jean-Sébastien Cloutier practises in various areas of employment and labour law. He advises employers on labour relations, particularly individual and collective labour relations, labour standards, industrial accidents and occupational diseases, occupational health and safety, human rights and freedoms, administrative law and litigation under the Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and workplace management in the construction industry (Bill R-20). Mr. Cloutier often ap...
François Côté practises management-side employment and labour law. In particular, he advises employers on grievance arbitration, labour standards, administrative law, occupational health and safety law, and labour relations in the construction industry. He regularly acts as spokesperson at the negotiation table. Mr. Côté regularly represents employers before the Commission des relations du travail (Quebec’s labour relations board) and grievance arbitrato...
Magali Cournoyer-Proulx provides top-level strategic advice and has an unmatched reputation in the area of employment law. She represents clients from various sectors, including banking and insurance, as well as a number of financial institutions, tech companies and manufacturing companies. She advises clients on all aspects of individual employment relationships: contracts of employment, clauses restricting employment, compensation packages, labour standards, policies, termination, human rig...
Michel Décary has pleaded before the courts of all levels, including up to the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as provincial and federal administrative tribunals, domestic arbitration tribunals and commissions of inquiry, in matters involving civil, corporate, and securities law as well as administrative, constitutional and labour law. Michel is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, of which he was Regent from 2006 to 2010 and was named Montréal Corporate Governanc...
Christopher Deehy is a partner at Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon and the leader of its Labour and Employment Law Group. He represents the firm’s corporate clients before all civil and administrative labour tribunals. He advises employers in all matters relating to employment relationships with their employees, whether they be unionized or not, including health and safety issues, collective bargaining, labour relations, sexual or psychological harassment complaints, discrim...
Ms. René Delorme practices mainly in the fields of Labour and Employment Law and Administrative and Municipal Law. Since he first started his practice, he acquired considerable experience in issues concerning businesses under federal jurisdiction.He has represented clients before civil Courts and administrative tribunals of all jurisdiction, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He frequently represents employers in the course of collective agreements negotiations and he is a frequent...
Luc Deshaies Ad. E. is a partner in the firm's Montréal office, practising in the areas of employment and labour law. He has, among other activities, acted for employers in collective and individual labour relations and occasionally for managers in dismissal matters. Throughout his practice Luc has acted before all judicial and administrative tribunals interested in labour matters in the province of Québec. Over the years, he has advised employers whose main activities are based...
Matthieu enjoys adding his deadpan humour to any situation. In the throes of a complex case, and with the inherent seriousness of the law profession, this personality trait lends well to achieving the best solutions through the most agreeable means (or the least disagreeable, depending on where you sit!). Matthieu’s clients and colleagues appreciate his availability and his reliability. He is driven by teamwork and his greatest joy is achieving goals through fruitful collaboration.Matth...
Frédéric Desmarais's practice covers all aspects of employment and labour law, with a focus on civil employment law matters and litigation, such as duty of loyalty and restrictive covenants. He is also knowledgeable in federal labour and employment law. Mr. Desmarais provides federal and provincial jurisdiction employers with strategic advice on how best to manage their workforces. He acts on behalf of employers before the appropriate authorities, including administrative tribun...
Guy C. Dion is a partner at the Québec City office where he represents private sector employers subject to federal and provincial jurisdiction and SMEs. He practises in the areas of labour and employment law and commercial litigation. Guy regularly advises clients from the manufacturing industry, car dealerships and members of automobile and construction associations. He is highly valued by clients for his vast experience in extraordinary remedies such as injunctions, seizures, search ...
Danilo Di Vincenzo is a partner-owner in the firm. He started his career in the Legal Services department of the Commission des normes du travail (now CNESST), where he acquired valuable hands-on experience. He counsels and represents employers, particularly, in matters of grievance arbitration and collective bargaining. Mr. Di Vincenzo was trained in the Harvard Negotiation Program focusing on interest-based bargaining and conflict resolution. He is also a legal instructor, lecturer and regu...
Audrée Dufresne has been representing and advising employers on labor and employment law and workers’ compensation matters for more than 15 years. She brings experience in both private practice and corporate legal departments to her vision of serving clients, balancing the accessibility and strategic thinking of in-house legal counsel with the expertise of specialized external counsel. Ms. Dufresne is known for her practical approach and her ability to work seamlessly with your c...
Robert Dupont’s practice encompasses every aspect of labour and employment, human rights and administrative law. He offers clients extensive experience in labour relations, specifically the protection of personal information, pay equity and pension plans. For many years businesses have trusted Robert to advise them on the cross-border flow of personal information, collective bargaining and restructuring. Robert has also won their trust by representing clients before various arbitration ...
Patrick Essiminy is a partner and Head of the Montréal office’s Employment & Labour Group and a member of the Montréal Office's Management Committee. Among his clients he is known for his strategic and practical advice, and for a practice style that is both effective and oriented to business priorities. Patrick practices in all areas of employment and labour law, for both provincially and federally regulated companies. More specifically, he represents his clients befor...
Stéphane Fillion is the co-leader of the Labour, Employment & Human Rights group, he is also the Chair of Fasken’s Quebec Labour, Employment and Human Rights Group. He practises in every area related to labour and employment law, be it collective or individual contracts of employment, human rights, labour standards, occupational health and safety, issues related to Pay Equity, the Charter of the French Language or other aspects. Stéphane is praised for his expertise an...
Mark Firman is a partner in the Montréal office’s Tax Group. His practice focuses on pensions, benefits and executive compensation issues in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, insolvencies, reorganizations and financings. Mark advises on all aspects of pensions, benefits and executive compensation law, including: the taxation of equity incentives; retirement and health and welfare benefits; pension plan and trust fund administration; pension fund investme...
François-Nicolas is a litigator, negotiator, author and renowned speaker. He is recognized for his people skills as well as his communication skills, notably when speaking on topics relating to labour relations. He is the firm’s resident artist and his marked interest in contemporary art has allowed the firm to considerably develop its art collection. He joined Monette Barakett as a student in 1998. He has been a partner since 2008 and oversees talent recruitment and leads the fi...
Since the beginning of her career, Karine Fournier has exclusively focused her practice on labour, employment, and human rights. In addition to frequently appearing before the different courts, Karine also plays a key advisory role particularly during certification applications and collective bargaining negotiations. Recognized for her practical approach and strategic advice, Karine is called upon to represent employers in the areas of disciplinary management, grievance arbitration, accredita...
Ms. Fournier is a partner-owner in the firm. She counsels and represents our clients before administrative and civil courts in matters pertaining to disciplinary measures, complaints to the CNESST, grievance arbitration, charter-related issues, psychological harassment claims and occupational health and safety matters. She previously worked for an organization where she gained extensive expertise in labour law in the field of education. She also acts as a lecturer and contributes to our vario...
Simon Gagné est associé au cabinet et chef de pratique du Groupe droit du travail et de l’emploi. Il partage sa pratique entre le droit de la santé et le droit du travail et de l’emploi, intervenant tant au niveau stratégique qu’au niveau de la représentation devant les tribunaux judiciaires et administratifs. En droit du travail et de l’emploi, il détient une expertise vaste et diversifiée. Il se charge notamment de dos...
Patrick Galizia practises employment and labour law. He advises employers on collective and individual labour relations, with particular emphasis on labour standards, individual actions, grievance arbitration, certification, drafting of employment contracts and internal corporate policies, directors' liability to employees, dismissals, protection of personal information, discrimination and human rights in the workplace, harassment, health & safety and industrial accidents. Mr. Galizia reg...
OverviewValérie Gareau-Dalpé is a member of the Labour and Employment Group in the firm's Montréal office. Passionate and experienced in all aspects of employment relations, Valérie deals more specifically with issues relating to the negotiation and interpretation of collective agreements, grievance arbitration cases, labour relations, labour standards, and health and safety. Valérie has extensive experience in employment-related litigation, including judici...
Richard Gaudreault is a partner in the Labour and Employment Law Group. He frequently acts as a negotiator in the negotiation of collective agreements and a strategic advisor in the planning and reorganization of human resources for large private corporations, as well as public and parapublic institutions. In his practice, Mr. Gaudreault has developed specific skills in managing complex cases involving crisis management issues and developing internal communication plans. An experienced litiga...
Sébastien Gobeil specializes in labour relations and occupational health and safety. He focuses on issues related to grievance arbitration, the negotiation and interpretation of collective agreements, labour standards, psychological harassment and workplace accidents. He also acts in matters related to human rights and the protection of personal information. Sébastien advises clients on a variety of employment-related topics, including terminations of employment, non-competition...
Called to the Barreau du Québec (Québec Bar) in 1972, Yves Gonthier has extensive experience in labour and employment law. He is involved in all aspects of labour law, in particular the negotiation and implementation of collective agreements, grievance arbitration, difficulties related to certification applications, as well as identifying solutions to labour relations problems encountered by companies in labour relations, such as dismissal, discipline and restructuring. Yves hol...
Maude Grenier advises businesses under provincial and federal jurisdiction on employment law and labour relations matters. An outstanding litigator, she also represents them before various administrative tribunals and civil courts, particularly in matters pertaining to interpreting and applying collective agreements, dispute resolution by arbitration, dismissals, harassment, rights and freedoms, protecting personal information, and occupational health and safety. She also represents employers...
Paul-Matthieu Grondin first worked as a lawyer for the House of Commons and then joined the Oliphant Commission, which investigated the business dealings between the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and Mr. Karlheinz Schreiber. He then acted as counsel for the Honourable Michel Bastarache during the Commission of Inquiry into the Judicial Appointment Process. He is also the author of articles in the Journal of the Institute of Parliamentary and Political Law. He received his Bachelor of Laws f...
Co-leader of BCF’s Labour Law group, Simon-Pierre Hébert is recognized for his ability to find innovative solutions adapted to our clients’ needs. He works at our Quebec City office, serving a diverse clientele throughout the province, particularly in the manufacturing services, financial services, emerging technologies, culture, health and education sectors. Throughout his career, Simon-Pierre has been involved in the negotiation and interpretation of numerous collective a...
Marie-Josée Hétu est associée directrice du bureau de Trois-Rivières et concentre sa pratique sur le droit du travail, les relations du travail et la santé et sécurité du travail. Elle traite de dossiers en matière d’arbitrage de griefs et de différends, de négociation collective et de rapports individuels de travail. Elle s’intéresse également de près aux questions de droits de la personne,...
William Hlibchuk practises employment and labour law exclusively, representing both federally and provincially regulated employers before all manner of tribunals in both French and English.A fluently bilingual member of both the Ontario and Quebec bars, Mr. Hlibchuk regularly represents and advises employers in both French and English from both provinces and other national and international corporations in their employment and labour law matters. A practical problem-solver, Mr. Hlibchuk's str...
Jean Houle, partner, practices labor and employment law since 1975. He has worked with companies of all shapes and sizes in the private, public, and broader public sectors. His clients benefit from his vast litigation experience before administrative and law courts, particularly in occupational health and safety. Jean has served as employer spokesperson and strategy and planning counsel during collective bargaining. He has also managed medium and long-term human resource planning as well as g...
Marie-Hélène Jetté, CHRP, a partner at Langlois Lawyers, has been representing and advising employers for over 25 years in the fields of labour and employment law, human rights and freedoms, and administrative law. Her skills are widely recognized in the industry, particularly in matters related to employment termination, psychological harassment, discrimination, labour standards and occupational health and safety. Clients regularly call upon Marie-Hélène to...
Caroline Jodoin advises provincially and federally regulated companies on all aspects of employment and labour law. She also represents them before various administrative tribunals in such matters as discrimination, harassment, employment termination and the interpretation and application of collective agreements. She has extensive experience in human rights issues, and has participated in a variety of significant certification mandates. Ms. Jodoin also assists employers in the daily manageme...
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