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Employment Law

If you are a non-union employee or employer in Canada, I look forward to assisting you with all your employment law needs.

Employers Employees

Workplace Investigations

Human rights and occupational heath and safety legislation require workplace investigations when there are allegations of workplace harassment, violence and/or harassment.

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Mediation

As a Mediator and Arbitrator, I can attest to the effectiveness of Neutral, third-party intervention where negotiation has failed. Mediation is a great alternative to protracted litigation.

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Arbitration

With my experience as a Small Claims Court Deputy Judge, I am uniquely equipped to act as an Arbitrator or decision-maker. I have had years of experience conducting trials in Small Claims Court.

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About Leslie J. Smith

With Canadian Employment Laws becoming more intrusive and complex, no employee or employer should attempt to manage their own situations. Early intervention before a situation is out of hand or before you make any decisions, is the best way to avoid expensive mistakes and damaged reputations.

In serving employees and employers since 1988, Leslie brings to every situation, wisdom, common sense, and subject matter expertise. 35 years in practice including her work as a Lawyer, Mediator, Arbitrator, Small Claims Court Deputy Judge (17 years) and Legal Author, have afforded Leslie plenty of experience that translates into creating strategic, practical, and peaceful solutions for her employee and employer clients.

CONTACT LESLIE

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Core Beliefs

I strive each day to live and work by one principle - treat others as I would want to be treated. In my practice, that translates into 4 key values:

I do what I say I will do and I am honest and transparent at all times with clients, staff, opposing counsel, the court and anyone else. I provide my clients with an honest assessment of their case. If I make a commitment to a client, I keep it. Integrity also means that my clients know before they retain me what my fee structure is. If a client appears unsure of whether or not to retain me or what to do, I tell them to go home and think about it first.

Integrity

Employees having difficulty at the workplace are often in considerable emotional distress when they arrive at my office. Employers can be as well. Employment issues involve human interactions, which necessarily involve emotions that sometimes need healing. I enjoy helping my employee clients think and feel differently about their situations. I also enjoy helping employers understand that their employees need to be treated with respect, dignity, kindness and fairness, no matter what is going on.

Compassion

I have an organized and logical mind that works like a trip hammer, especially in court. I can very quickly sort out the relevant facts and issues in order to resolve my client's cases efficiently. Excellence also means to approach matters with a large measure of practicality, always thinking about what is best for my client and their family and/or business. Finally, excellence also means behaving with civility. I have learned to be hard on the issues and soft on the people - a winning combination.

Excellence

I have also been blessed with discernment and intuition that allows me to often "know" what is really going on with my clients. Equally, my own life journey has led me through difficulties in personal relationships so I understand how upsetting a broken employment relationship is. My own struggles married with discernment and intuition allows me to treat my client holistically, not just legally. This is the thing that sets me apart from most other lawyers, so say my clients.

Wisdom