Labour & Employment Lawyer

Mouck Workplace Law is a Hamilton-based law firm focused on employment law, labour relations, workplace investigations, and litigation. We are committed to providing practical, strategic legal advice that helps our clients resolve issues efficiently and effectively. We are trusted advisors to our clients and are fractional general counsel to many small and medium-size businesses and nonprofits. We are experts in employment law, and bring the values of honesty, integrity and respect to our dealings with clients, the courts, our adversaries and the public. Our network includes lawyers and law firms in other practice areas who know this, and refer their employment law business to us.

We are looking to hire an experienced Lawyer who shares these values. This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys managing their own files, values autonomy, and is committed to delivering exceptional client service.

We use AI-assisted tools to help identify and match applicants to our open roles. This may include reviewing resumes and suggesting potential matches. All final hiring decisions are made by humans.

Key Responsibilities

Labour and Employment Law

• Advise employers and employees on workplace issues including employment standards, human rights, accommodation, discipline, terminations, and wrongful dismissal
• Draft employment agreements, workplace policies, severance packages, settlement agreements, and other employment-related documentation
• Negotiate practical resolutions while advocating strongly for clients when litigation is required
• Advise and support employers through the collective bargaining process, union certification drives and other labour relations matters
• Conduct impartial workplace investigations that are practical and defensible while remaining efficient and proportionate to client needs

Litigation & Advocacy

• Manage litigation files from initial consultation through resolution or trial
• Prepare pleadings, motion and application materials, affidavits, mediation briefs, and various other court documents
• Conduct discoveries, mediations, motions, hearings, and trials
• Conduct legal research and develop practical legal strategies
• Represent clients at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, arbitrations, and the courts

Client & Practice Management

• Manage client relationships and provide timely, practical legal advice
• Maintain accurate docketing, file management, and billing practices
• Work collaboratively with legal assistants, other lawyers and support staff
• Contribute to the continued growth and reputation of the firm

Requirements

• LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Approximately 3–7 years of experience practicing law in Ontario
• Strong litigation experience with the ability to independently manage files from initial consultation or commencement through resolution or trial, including meaningful responsibility for pleadings, motions, applications, affidavits, discoveries, mediations, hearings, trials, settlement negotiations, legal research, and court appearances
• Strong labour and employment law experience, including advising on wrongful dismissal, employment standards, human rights, workplace accommodation, discipline, termination, severance, employment agreements, workplace policies, workplace investigations, and employment disputes; candidates with strong civil litigation experience and a clear ability to transfer effectively into employment law are also encouraged to apply
• Experience with labour relations matters, including collective bargaining, union certification drives, grievance arbitration, advising unionized employers, and labour board proceedings
• Experience conducting workplace investigations independently, including interviewing witnesses, assessing evidence, making findings, and drafting investigation reports for harassment, discrimination, workplace misconduct, or human rights matters; experience independently conducting investigations and preparing defensible investigation findings is considered an asset
• Experience representing clients before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Ontario courts, arbitrations, or other employment or labour tribunals in contested matters
• Experience drafting employment agreements, workplace policies, termination letters, severance agreements, settlement agreements, pleadings, motions, affidavits, mediation briefs, legal opinions, litigation correspondence, and demand letters
• Experience using legal practice management software for docketing, billing, file management, time tracking, and managing deadlines; experience with Clio is considered an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and sound professional judgment

What We're Looking For

• Takes ownership of their files and works independently, including managing deadlines, developing legal strategy, handling negotiations, conducting discoveries, appearing at hearings, and bringing matters to resolution
• Understands and enjoys developing long-term client relationships and providing day-to-day practical legal advice to employers or employees; experience managing repeat clients or acting as outside counsel is an asset
• Seeks practical, cost-effective solutions before pursuing litigation, with the ability to evaluate litigation risk, consider cost-benefit tradeoffs, and develop commercially reasonable strategies that reflect client objectives
• Communicates professionally with clients, opposing counsel, and colleagues
• Appreciates a collaborative environment built on trust rather than micromanagement, and manages workload while delegating appropriately to legal assistants or support staff
• Experience managing a billable legal practice is a plus
• Experience with client development, referral relationships, business development, or growing a client base is a plus

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including a base salary and bonus based on collected billings
• Employer sponsored RRSP savings plan and comprehensive extended health and dental benefits
• Law Society fees and professional liability insurance paid by the firm
• Flexible hybrid and remote work arrangements
• Downtown Hamilton office
• A 1,200 annual billable hour target, supporting a sustainable work-life balance
• A collegial environment where lawyers are trusted to manage their practice and focus on providing exceptional service to clients
• Experienced support staff