OUR EDUCATION LAW TEAM
The education sector is constantly changing, bringing new issues and complex challenges, and placing ever expanding responsibility and accountability on the legal professionals who work as in-house or general counsel in this multilayered sector. Where once it was enough to have exceptional legal skills, it is now important and expected that there will also be a solid understanding of the current and emerging business issues, cultural developments, and risks facing the institution. Legal professionals must be leaders and partners in the strategic planning process and key players in organizational success, while liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and vendors, and staying up-to-date with legislative and regulatory requirements that may impact the educational institution. The complex environment can be challenging to navigate for institutions and their in-house or general counsel.
We’re here to help.
OUR CLIENTS
Our team advises and represents clients in the education sector, including post-secondary institutions, Ontario faculty associations, school boards, and public and private schools in all forums, bringing our experience and reputation as fearless litigators and seasoned advisors to a wide range of established and emerging education law matters. Through our relationships with these clients, we have come to understand their business, operations and structure, the political environment in which they function, as well as the multitude of unique legal challenges they face. We enjoy strong relationships with those who work as in house and general counsel for educational institutions and working collaboratively to provide the best service to the institution.
Our Services
In addition to our education sector specific expertise, we believe that the scope of our experience and expertise distinguishes our lawyers and adds significant value to the legal advice and services we provide to our clients.
Our expertise includes:
- Academic Matters
- Administrative Law
- Employment Law Matters
- Human Rights, Discrimination and Accommodation
- Labour Law
- Information, Data Security and Privacy
- Policy Reviews
- Litigation and dispute resolution, including dismissal claims, injunctions, appeals and class actions
- Occupational Health and Workplace Safety & Insurance Board matters
- Pay Equity
- Pension, Benefits & Executive Compensation
- Intellectual Property
- Copyright and Trademark
- Corporate Governance and Structure
- Corporate Financing
- Regulatory Compliance
- Contracts and Business Agreements
- Real Estate Matters
- Workplace Investigations
OUR APPROACH TO CLIENT SERVICE
We work collaboratively and seamlessly with in house or general counsel to support the success of the existing institution’s legal team in its provision of legal services to the educational institution. In addition to our sector specific knowledge, we recognize that each organization has a unique culture, philosophy and approach that informs our advice. We are invested in gaining a deep understanding of our client’s organization to achieve great results. We pride ourselves on being accessible to our clients, and working with them to ensure that we meet their needs, and deliver our services in a timely and cost-effective manner. We also provide substantive complimentary educational opportunities, updates, and training seminars to our clients (including their in house legal teams) on matters relevant to them and their organizations.
With offices located in London, Strathroy, Toronto, and the Waterloo Region, our education law lawyers work together, regularly providing legal advice and services to education sector clients across the province.
We will travel wherever our clients need us and have the technological systems in place to provide seamless service to our clients remotely, thereby increasing our geographic service capabilities and efficiencies for our clients.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We are committed to the diverse community we serve, and strive to promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace. We are actively engaged in diversity and inclusion initiatives at the firm, and support various community initiatives, programs, and events.
One such initiative is our Learn with Lerners Bursary and Mentorship Program which was developed to help address the systemic barriers experienced early on by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in the legal services industry.
We are also an active member of the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN).