Dentons's labour and employment practice is equipped to represent clients in employment and benefits-related litigation, as well as providing transactional support, carrying out workplace investigations and training programs, and advising on health and safety matters. The national practice is co-directed by Toronto-based Andy Pushalik (workplace restructurings, discrimination and harassment complaints, contentious mandates) and Montreal-based Arianne Bouchard, who handles collective and individual labour matters. Additional key contacts include April Kosten (Calgary), Eleni Kassaris (Vancouver) and Virginie Dandurand (Montreal).
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'We appreciate that Dentons is able to support our organization with pro-bono legal advice and support.’
‘Eleni Kassaris has been a high-impact advisor and thought partner, and consistently provides clear, logical, timely and strategic guidance on our HR issues. Eleni's work with us has consistently helped us with complex issues in real time. Eleni has been a key contributor to strengthening our organization.’
‘Dentons provides expertise in all areas of labour and employment. Their team is extremely knowledgeable, provides quick responses, is available for urgent matters and assigns the right level of legal representation for each situation to manage costs.’
‘Fausto Franseschi KC is outstanding. He is incredibly personal, treats you like you are his best client every time, assigns work to levels he feels is appropriate and takes time to answer calls. His professionalism is unsurpassed, he is a community leader and very down to earth.’
‘Highly skilled team with strong knowledge of the law; good communication, responsive and collaborative.'
‘Fausto Franceschi is a standout for us and has become our go-to attorney in Canada. He has a strong understanding of business drivers and is therefore able to provide excellent client service that is both knowledgeable and practical.’
‘Dentons have one of the strongest legal teams in the country. They strive to give the best service and to represent their clients in the very best way. Eleni Kassaris is the epitome of class and grace. An incredibly knowledgeable lawyer and highly skilled at getting conclusive results for her clients.’
Key clients
- BDO
- Canopy Growth Corporation
- Rain Carbon
- InnVest REIT (Hilton Quebec)
- Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (Lionsgate)
- Alamos Gold
- Lifting Solutions
Work highlights
- Advised Lionsgate on its acquisition of the global entertainment platform Entertainment One from Hasbro for $375m.
- Advised management of the Hilton Quebec on all aspects of labour and employment law.
- Represented Imperial Oil Limited in a significant alcohol and drug testing grievance, which included complaints regarding accommodation obligations, random testing, privacy and the defensibility of urine testing.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jennifer Thompson
Practice head
Andy Pushalik; Arianne Bouchard
Other key lawyers
Eleni Kassaris; Fausto Franseschi KC