An employee’s pension payments should not be deducted from damages otherwise payable for wrongful dismissal, the Supreme Court ruled recently. Pension benefits are not intended to indemnify wage loss due to unemployment, but rather are a form of deferred compensation for service and constitute a type of retirement savings. In a decision released earlier this month, IBM Canada Limited v. Waterman, the employee Waterman had been dismissed without cause after 42 years of service. IBM offered only 2 months pay in lieu of notice, leading Mr. Waterman to sue for wrongful dismissal. The trial judge awarded 20 months notice, and ... [more] Full article
In its decision released on June 21, 2012 in Bowes v. Goss Power Products Ltd., 2012 ONCA 425, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that where an employer has agreed to continue paying salary to a dismissed employee for a fixed period in a written employment agreement, that is the obligation and it will be enforced. [more] Full article
You know that “rule of thumb” of one month notice for each year of employment? The one we use as a rough guideline for getting in the ballpark when determining a reasonable notice periods? The Court of Appeal has reminded us that the “rule of thumb” may not even get you near the ballpark when dealing with senior, high salaried employees. [more] Full article
Directors of a corporation cannot invoke the business judgment rule to justify decisions that violate a unanimous shareholders’ agreement, the Ontario Divisional Court held recently. [more] Full article
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."
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.
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.
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.
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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