John is a partner and certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in labour law. John’s practice focuses on advocacy in employment law and labour relations matters. John joined the firm in 2003 after eight (8) years with Evans Law Firm.

John has extensive experience representing unions before the Ontario Labour Relations Board on various matters. John has argued many unique cases, many of which have been reported in the Ontario Labour Relations Board Reports.

John also has extensive experience representing unions in grievance arbitration matters. John has a particular interest in human rights issues and the duty to accommodate disabled employees in the workplace. John has numerous reported decisions in the Labour Arbitration Cases. Recently, John received media attention as the first lawyer to win a case involving the Ontario Health Premium (Lapointe Fisher Nursing Home v. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 175/633, decision of Anne Barrett).

John represents individual employees in a wide range of work place related matters including wrongful dismissal, Employment Standards and Human Rights issues.

John has appeared as counsel at Tribunals and before all levels of Court in Ontario on such diverse matters as wrongful dismissal, judicial review, injunctions, pension, bankruptcy and insolvency matters.

As a problem solver, John regularly provides practical advice to his clients on matters such as employment agreements, organizing, bargaining, strike related issues, pensions and benefits and general collective agreement administration and employment matters. John is also a frequent speaker at continuing education programs for legal professionals, law schools and trade union client conferences.

John has served as a member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Ontario Labour Law Section Executive and currently is a member of the Advocate’s Society and the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers.