Regulated Professions
Lawyers for Law Firms and Legal Professionals in Ontario
Employment Lawyers for Law Firms and Legal Professionals
Law firms face unique employment law challenges that general practitioners rarely encounter. From partnership disputes and associate terminations to Law Society of Ontario (LSO) investigations and lateral hire complications, managing a legal workforce requires counsel who understands both employment law and the regulatory framework governing the profession.
At Greenwood Law, our Ontario employment lawyers provide strategic legal support to law firms navigating workforce matters, and to lawyers facing workplace allegations or professional conduct complaints that could affect their careers and standing with the LSO.
The Greenwood Law Team
Greenwood Law provides employment law counsel to law firms and regulatory defence to lawyers and paralegals in Toronto and across Ontario. When partnership disputes escalate, associate terminations turn contentious, or your professional standing is at stake, we bring strategic, experienced representation.
Employment Law Services for Law Firms
Our employment lawyers advise law firm management and partners on the full spectrum of workforce legal matters, including:
- Associate Employment Contracts – Drafting and reviewing employment agreements for associates, students, and staff that comply with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and address profession-specific considerations like client transition and file ownership
- Partnership Agreements – Advising on partnership and shareholder agreements, including admission, withdrawal, expulsion, and compensation disputes
- Workforce Restructuring – Legal guidance on firm mergers, practice group changes, and workforce reductions while managing constructive dismissal and partnership liability risks
- Workplace Compliance & Policies – Developing harassment, discrimination, and conduct policies that satisfy both employment standards and LSO Rules of Professional Conduct requirements
- Workplace Investigations – Conducting or advising on investigations into partner or associate misconduct, harassment complaints, or discrimination allegations
- Lateral Hire & Departure Issues – Navigating non-solicitation obligations, client conflicts, and file transition when lawyers move between firms
- Employee Benefits & Compensation – Addressing disputes over bonuses, profit sharing, draws, and deferred compensation arrangements
- HR Advisory & Training – Training firm leadership on performance management, progressive discipline, and accommodation obligations for legal staff
- Workplace Restorations & Reconciliations – Rebuilding firm culture following investigations or high-profile departures
- High-Conflict Exits – Managing terminations involving potential wrongful dismissal claims, partnership disputes, or reputational concerns
Workplace Defence for Lawyers and Paralegals
We also represent lawyers, paralegals, and other legal professionals facing workplace allegations or regulatory scrutiny:
- Sexual Harassment Allegations – Defence against complaints under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, firm policies, or LSO Rules of Professional Conduct
- Workplace Harassment & Discrimination – Responding to allegations from colleagues, staff, or clients
- Fraud & Financial Misconduct – Defence against allegations involving trust accounts, billing practices, or breach of fiduciary duty
- Law Society Complaint Defence – Representation during LSO investigations, Proceedings Authorization Committee reviews, and Law Society Tribunal hearings
- Professional Conduct Matters – Defending against allegations of incivility, conflicts of interest, or conduct unbecoming a licensee
Hear From Our Clients
Protecting Your Firm, Preserving Your Reputation
We protect law firms and legal professionals across Ontario, providing strategic employment law guidance to safeguard your practice, manage workforce risks, and defend against allegations that could impact your professional standing or licence.
Table of Contents
Hear From Our Clients
Protecting Your Firm, Preserving Your Reputation
We protect law firms and legal professionals across Ontario, providing strategic employment law guidance to safeguard your practice, manage workforce risks, and defend against allegations that could impact your professional standing or licence.
Why Law Firms Choose Greenwood Law
Understanding of Legal Practice
We know how law firms operate, from partnership structures to associate compensation models, and tailor our advice accordingly
LSO Regulatory Knowledge
We understand how LSO complaints intersect with employment matters and help you manage both dimensions strategically
Workplace Investigation Expertise
We have extensive experience conducting and advising on workplace investigations in professional services environments
Discretion & Confidentiality
We understand the reputational sensitivity of employment disputes in the legal community and handle matters with appropriate discretion
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we terminate an associate without cause, or do we need to establish just cause?
Ontario law firms can terminate associates without cause, provided they give reasonable notice or pay in lieu. However, your employment contract’s termination clause must be carefully drafted to be enforceable, Ontario courts have invalidated many termination clauses for even minor drafting errors. If you’re relying on an Employment Standards Act minimum entitlement clause, have it reviewed to ensure it complies with current case law. Terminations for cause require serious misconduct and carry significant litigation risk if the threshold isn’t met.
A partner is facing a harassment complaint from a staff member. How should the firm respond?
The firm has obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to investigate workplace harassment complaints. However, investigating a partner raises governance complexities, potential conflicts, and reputational risks. Many firms engage external counsel to conduct or oversee these investigations to ensure independence and procedural fairness. The investigation findings may also have implications for LSO reporting obligations if the conduct could constitute professional misconduct.
One of our lawyers received an LSO complaint. Does this affect their employment status?
An LSO complaint doesn’t automatically affect employment, but it may depending on your partnership or employment agreement terms, the nature of the allegations, and how the matter proceeds. Some agreements require disclosure of complaints or authorize suspension pending investigation. The lawyer may also need separate counsel for the LSO matter, as the firm’s interests and the individual’s interests may diverge. We can advise on managing both the employment and regulatory dimensions.
A departing lawyer is soliciting our clients. What are our options?
Your options depend on whether the lawyer signed a non-solicitation agreement and, if so, whether it’s enforceable. The Working for Workers Act, 2021 significantly restricted non-compete clauses in Ontario, but non-solicitation provisions may still be enforceable if reasonable in scope and duration. Even without an enforceable agreement, departing lawyers have professional obligations under the LSO Rules of Professional Conduct regarding client transition. We can assess your contractual rights and advise on enforcement options.
We're concerned about a partner's conduct but uncertain whether it rises to the level requiring LSO self-reporting. How do we assess this?
Lawyers have obligations to report certain conduct to the LSO, including criminal charges and certain findings by other regulatory bodies. Partners may also have governance obligations to disclose concerns to the firm. The threshold for reporting can be unclear, and the consequences of getting it wrong, either by failing to report or by over-reporting, can be significant. We can help you assess the situation confidentially and determine appropriate next steps.
Contact Greenwood Law
Whether you’re managing a partnership dispute, responding to a workplace complaint, or navigating a complex associate termination, our Ontario employment lawyers are here to help. Contact Greenwood Law for a consultation.
Areas We Serve
At Greenwood Law, we proudly serve clients across Ontario & throughout Canada, including:
