Michelle
Cook

Michelle is an experienced lawyer who brings thoughtful insight and sound judgment to sophisticated employment law matters. She is a skilled advocate with a strong business and litigation background, which informs her strategic and pragmatic handling of complex disputes. Michelle provides clear, actionable advice to help clients navigate the often nuanced and sensitive issues that arise in the workplace.

Michelle is a member of the firm’s Workplace Law Group. She advises on all aspects of labour, employment and human rights law, and regularly handles employment litigation matters. Michelle represents federally and provincially regulated employers in labour arbitrations, court proceedings, labour board matters, human rights hearings, appeals and applications for judicial review. Her practice has a particular specialization in workforce equity and compensation-related areas, including pay equity, accessibility, compensation and benefits, as well as workplace discrimination, harassment and violence. Michelle has extensive experience delivering complex advisory services, conducting compliance audits, drafting contracts and workplace policies, and reviewing partnership agreements. She also has expertise in termination package negotiations and workplace investigations and assessments.

Michelle has appeared before the Federal Court, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, Canada Industrial Relations Board, Ontario Divisional Court, Superior Court of Justice, Small Claims Court, Ontario Labour Relations Board, Employment Standards Investigations and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. She has published her work in numerous prestigious law journals, including the Alberta Law Review, and has presented at national conferences on a wide range of topics, including legal education and marijuana law.