How to Choose The Right Toronto Employment Lawyer for You

Choosing the right employment lawyer to represent you in an employment dispute or explain to you the current and future ramifications of signing an employment contract is a significant decision.

With the number of employment lawyers in Toronto, finding the right one can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack if you’re not sure what to look for. You can begin your search by using the Law Society of Ontario’s search tool and continue your research from there by reading reviews and finding out more about each lawyer by reading their Bio pages on their websites.

Before you make a final decision, meet with or speak to a few first and look for the following qualities to guide you to the right choice.

Go With Experience

From wrongful termination to constructive dismissal to harassment in the workplace, employment law cases can get fairly convoluted. To complicate matters a little further, laws governing employment in Ontario are fluid and evolving. Two examples include the “right to disconnect” law that was recently enacted, and changes that were made to the Employment Standards Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many Ontarians out of work and wondering where they stood.

That’s why it’s imperative that you hire a lawyer who specializes in employment law and has a long track record of successfully protecting their clients’ rights. You may come across a lawyer who provides legal services in several fields, including employment law, but they are the exception rather than the rule for a reason.

Every area of law is complex and requires a passion for that field that will keep a lawyer motivated to continue learning as much as they can about it and dedicated to perfecting their craft. The results you get from an experienced employment law expert will usually far outweigh the discounted rate you get from a part-time employment lawyer.

You Need a Compassionate Advocate

When you consider the amount of time we spend in the workplace and how much we rely on being employed, it’s no wonder that whatever happens in the workplace can have a profound effect on our lives.

Employment law matters can understandably become emotionally taxing, and a good employment lawyer should be compassionate, understanding and supportive by nature. Many employment lawyers are driven by a desire to level the playing field and to see justice done for the “little guy.”

The employment lawyer you choose should not only passionately advocate on behalf of your interests, but they should also have a genuine interest in protecting workers’ rights.

Honesty is Vital in an Employment Lawyer

Unfortunately, there are lawyers, as there are service providers in other professions, that tell potential clients what they want to hear: that their case is a slam dunk and that they can pretty much guarantee the best possible outcome of their case. Because each employment law case is unique and nuanced, they also contain a certain degree of uncertainty and risk.

That’s why it’s a good idea to meet with or speak to a few employment lawyers to get their assessments of your case before making your decision. Your gut should tell you that the ones who discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case and how they would address each are the more trustworthy choices. Never believe a guarantee; employment lawyers should never guarantee an outcome but provide you with what they believe is a likely outcome instead.