The Litigator
The Litigator
AGM :: Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
THE LITIGATOR
Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
365 Bay Street, Suite 200  ·  Toronto, Canada
416 360 2800  ·  info@agmlawyers.com  ·  www.thelitigator.ca

Employment Termination Clause Upheld: Ontario Court of Appeal Favours Employer

Jeanette Saliba

In Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., 2025 ONCA 379, the Ontario Court of Appeal delivered an employer-friendly decision in upholding a termination clause in an employment agreement that limited an employee’s entitlement to the statutory minimums under the Employment Standards Act (“ESA”). Background The plaintiff had been employed by the defendant for about eight and a half months when he was terminated on June 7, 2024. The plaintiff had been hired as a vice-president, earning a base salary of $300,000 per year under an employment agreement that contained the following termination clause that limited his rights on termination to the minimal ... [more] Full article

Ontario Court of Appeal Denies Employee’s Claim for Vested Stock Units

In its recent decision in Preston v. Cervus Equipment Corporation, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the motion judge’s decision and found the wrongful dismissal settlement precluded the employee’s entitlement ... [more] Full article

Ontario Court of Appeal Affirms Employer’s Duty to Provide Honest Reasons for Dismissal

In Krmpotic v. Thunder Bay Electronics Limited, 2024 ONCA 332, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a Superior Court of Justice decision confirming that the duty of honest performance applies ... [more] Full article

Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms that Refusal to Comply with Vaccination Policy Amounts to Frustration of Contract  

In Croke v. VuPoint System Ltd.,  2024 ONCA 354, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a Superior Court decision that the appellant’s employment contract had been frustrated due to his ... [more] Full article


Employment Litigation Contributors

Michael Binetti

Michael Binetti

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Michael Binetti*, Managing Partner of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP, brings a wealth of litigation experience, with extensive expertise in both trials and appeals. Known for his strategic legal acumen, Michael has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate complex cases and deliver successful outcomes across a wide range of litigation areas. Peers and clients alike praise Michael as an “excellent and creative lawyer” who “finds unique solutions to complex problems” and “knows how to win.” Recognized for his dedication and professionalism, he is described as a “strong advocate who always looks out for the best interests of his clients” and provides “timely, honest, and extremely valuable counsel.” Michael’s reputation for excellence is underscored by his inclusion in ranking services such as Best Lawyers, Lexology, and Lexpert.

Contributor's Profile

Kenneth A. Dekker

Kenneth A. Dekker

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Ken Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than 25 years, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken has also represented and advised clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), both of which are now known as the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). Ken has also represented clients before the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the Financial Planning Canada Standards Council (FPCSC), and the CPA Ontario Tribunal. Ken has been ranked for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on "Martindale-Hubbell."

Contributor's Profile

Meredith Hayward

Meredith Hayward

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.

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Masiel A. Matus

Masiel A. Matus

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Masiel, a Partner of the firm, has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex business matters. Masiel has expertise in cases involving shareholder disputes, contract disputes, corporate fraud, commercial leasing and real property disputes, breach of trust, professional negligence, D&O claims, and employment matters. Masiel is a tough-minded advocate dedicated to obtaining results for her clients.

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Jeanette Saliba

Jeanette Saliba

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Jeanette joins Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP from Osgoode Hall Law School. Throughout law school, she participated in various moots and was part of the oral advocacy club. During her education, she strived to assist entrepreneurs in the business law clinic. Prior to starting her articles, she gained experience conducting hearings for Small Claims Court matters. Jeanette looks forward to putting her business skills and passion for advocacy to use in the firm’s practice areas.

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Ardita Sinojmeri

Ardita Sinojmeri

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

Ardita Sinojmeri, Associate Lawyer at Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP, has a broad litigation practice spanning commercial litigation, securities litigation, insurance defence, employment disputes, and administrative law. She has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Ardita earned her Juris Doctor from Western University’s Faculty of Law. Before joining the firm, she was involved in initiatives supporting individuals and businesses navigating complex legal and financial challenges. She was also an Intake Coordinator for the National Canadian Lawyers’ Initiative and has authored legal scholarship, including “Spinning its Wheels: The Canadian Mining Industry’s Human Rights Failures in Guatemala” (2020) in the Mining Law, Finance & Sustainability Research Publication Series.

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David N. Vaillancourt

David N. Vaillancourt

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

David is a determined and committed advocate for his clients. David has extensive courtroom experience, having successfully appeared as lead counsel in trials, hearings, motions, and appeals. David is also a skillful negotiator, having successfully negotiated the resolution of numerous cases. David is ranked as a leading practitioner in competition law by both Lexpert and Who’s Who Legal, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers for his expertise in corporate and commercial litigation, and competition law. David is also rated as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (the highest rating possible), with his peers at competitor law firms noting that David is an “excellent lawyer and advocate”, he is “diligent and creative in his approach”, and “is capable of taking charge in the largest commercial and insurance claims”. David has a broad practice in commercial litigation, insurance law, and competition law.

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