Our History

We have a history of excellence

The firm was founded in 1983 by Paul Cavalluzzo, Jim Hayes, and Elizabeth Shilton. Their objective was to create a distinctive firm that would be recognized for excellence and a commitment to social justice and equality, particularly in the field of labour law. Partners David Bloom and Bernie Hanson joined the firm shortly after its founding.

In 1988, Elizabeth McIntyre, of the feminist law firm Symes, Kitely, McIntyre, joined the firm, and Mary Cornish, founder of the feminist law firm Cornish Advocates, joined the firm in 1994. Their expertise in health law, labour law and human rights broadened the firm’s practice in those areas.   

Although the firm has continued to grow and evolve, its commitment to the founders’ core values has remained the same. We have been counsel in some of the leading labour and employment cases in Canada, including constitutional cases recognizing that the Charter protects the right to bargain collectively and ground-breaking human rights cases addressing racial and gender-based discrimination, among many others.

Over the years, we have been joined by talented lawyers, growing in number and in breadth of experience. We represent trade unions, organizations, and individuals in both the public and private sector, and in every profession. Our clients include teachers, musicians, nurses, crown attorneys, doctors, engineers, pilots, athletes, health care professionals, judges, postal workers, machinists, airline workers, service workers, industrial workers, retail workers, pension plans, equality seeking groups and community organizations.

We strive to continue the tradition of excellence and client service established by our founding partners.

Recent News

News/16 November 2023

Cavalluzzo LLP Awarded on the Globe and Mail Canada’s Best Law Firms 2024 List

Recognized in Administrative & Public Law, Human Rights, and Labour & Employment

Cavalluzzo LLP has been awarded on The Globe and Mail’s list of Canada’s Best Law Firms 2024 in the Administrative & Public Law, Human Rights, and Lab... Read More
News/8 November 2023

Advocating for Indigenous Rights before the Supreme Court of Canada

Cavalluzzo LLP presented an argument on behalf of Grassy Narrows First Nation

Adrienne Telford and Jackie Esmonde appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on November 8, presenting argument on behalf of Grassy Narrows First N... Read More
News/8 November 2023

"Anti-scab legislation ‘another percolating employment issue’ "

Jeff Andrew comments on the rise in workers advancing their rights in the current economic climate

In today's Legal Matters, Jeff Andrew discusses seeing a rise in workers advancing their rights in the current economic climate - one of the ways they... Read More
News/12 October 2023

"Employers have a duty to thoroughly investigate disability claims"

Jeff Andrew comments on the importance of employers doing their due diligence with respect to investigating disability claims

In today's Legal Matters, Jeff Andrew discusses a recent arbitration decision ordering a trucking company to reinstate a worker who was fired followin... Read More
News/5 September 2023

"Unionized workers are fighting back in tough economic times"

Jeff Andrew comments on how economic trends impact unionized employees' bargaining power

In today's Legal Matters, Jeff Andrew discusses the increasing trend of unionized employees using collective bargaining and advocating for improved wo... Read More
News/24 August 2023

Paul Cavalluzzo Named 2024 Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" in the Toronto Area

Paul was recognized for Labour and Employment Law

Cavalluzzo LLP attorney Paul Cavalluzzo was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for Labour and Employment Law. Read More