Labour and Employment Law in Toronto | Amanda J. Hunter

About Amanda

I have been practicing labour and employment law for more than 20 years. I love the challenge of making the increasingly complex legal obligations of employers understandable and workable. Relationships are key in this area of the law. I like to consider multiple perspectives and find creative ways to solve problems that meet the interests of all stakeholders. At the same time, I recognize that some conflict can only be managed through litigation. As an advocate, I value efficiency and try to find strategies that minimize cost without compromising the result.I am frequently sought out for my knowledge and expertise regarding minimum standards legislation. I enjoy the process of working through statutes and regulations to figure out how to apply them in practice. The more technical and complicated, the better.I have advised both private and public employers with clients in different industries and sectors including manufacturing, financial services, technology, municipalities, hospitals and education.I have litigated before all levels of Court in Ontario and appeared before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Grievance Settlement Board and labour arbitrators.I pride myself on learning the ins and outs of every organization that I represent and that healthy curiosity allows me to understand the context for my advice. I am known for my responsiveness and excellent client service which has helped me foster client relationships that have lasted decades.Recent WorkSuccessfully argued summary hearing dismissing an HRTO application due to delay.Successfully argued that a vaccination policy was consistently applied despite variations to address progressive discipline, accommodation and urgent circumstances due to evolving variants.Represented a university to successfully confirm discipline for a professor's negative comments to students regarding a on-line course he did not want to teach.Represented employer in 2019 Ontario Court of Appeal decision confirming that reasonable notice is capped at 24 months unless there are exceptional circumstances.Advised and represented hospitals through the process under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition ActRepresented a private sector manufacturing employer in grievance arbitration regarding termination of employment and successfully argued that there was just cause for termination due to sabotage.Advised various employers through complex workplace harassment investigations involving multiple respondents and complainants.Recent Appearances and PublicationsLaw Society of Ontario - The Employment Agreement: Key Clauses 2024 - Program Co-Chair (March 1, 2024)Lancaster House - Toronto Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference - "Potholes on the Road to Justice: Addressing delay, abuse of process, and undue legalization in arbitration" (November 3, 2023)Law Society of Ontario - 23rd Employment Law Summit - Legislative Update (October 12, 2022)Lancaster House Ontario Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference (November 23, 2021)Lancaster House Flashpoints in University and College Labour Law: Contract and Term Appointments, Evaluation, Discipline, Harassment and more (March 25, 2021)Six minute Employment Lawyer - Law Society of Ontario - Executive Compensation Plans and the Duty to Notify (June 29, 2020) - Download ArticleCommitteesMember of the Egale Legal Issues CommitteeChair of the Advocates' Society Labour and Employment Practice Group (2023/2024)Co-Chair American Bar Association International Section Employment Committee (2021/2024)

I have been practicing labour and employment law for more than 20 years. I love the challenge of making the increasingly complex legal obligations of employers understandable and workable. Relationships are key in this area of the law. I like to consider multiple perspectives and find creative ways to solve problems that meet the interests of all stakeholders. At the same time, I recognize that some conflict can only be managed through litigation. As an advocate, I value efficiency and try to find strategies that minimize cost without compromising the result.

I am frequently sought out for my knowledge and expertise regarding minimum standards legislation. I enjoy the process of working through statutes and regulations to figure out how to apply them in practice. The more technical and complicated, the better.

I have advised both private and public employers with clients in different industries and sectors including manufacturing, financial services, technology, municipalities, hospitals and education.

I have litigated before all levels of Court in Ontario and appeared before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Grievance Settlement Board and labour arbitrators.

I pride myself on learning the ins and outs of every organization that I represent and that healthy curiosity allows me to understand the context for my advice. I am known for my responsiveness and excellent client service which has helped me foster client relationships that have lasted decades.