Unveiling Surprising Employment Law Insights

For more than 135 years, the Toronto Lawyers' Association, located within the Courthouse Library, has represented the interests of lawyers practising in the City of Toronto. The association was founded to support its members in three key areas: Knowledge, Advocacy, and Community. To uphold these pillars, the association offers a year-round mix of online and in-person education programs for lawyers, hosts both free and paid events to foster in-person networking, and submits advocacy pieces on behalf of its members to the Ontario bench and bar, all levels of government, and the broader public.

Rich Appiah is principal of Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel. Rich provides expert strategic counsel and legal representation in the area of human resources law to small and enterprise-scale businesses, as well as to managers and senior executives. He formed Appiah Law after practicing for over a decade with some of the best employment and labour lawyers in Canada. An accomplished advisor and advocate, he has the expertise to help you navigate the challenges that affect your work-life. Rich draws on his experiences to provide exceptional, cost-effective, and results-oriented service to every client. Called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006, he has appeared as counsel before the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He has also represented clients in proceedings before boards of arbitration, the provincial and federal Human Rights Tribunals, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (Employment Standards Branch), and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Rich has published extensively in the area of employment law and is a frequent speaker at conferences for human resources and legal professionals. In 2016, Rich was recognized as a “Lawyer to Watch” by Lexpert Magazine, and since 2017 he has served as an elected member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Employment and Labour Section Executive. He was named a “Leading Practitioner in Employment Law” in the 2019 and 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He has additionally been invited by the media, including the CBC, to comment on pressing legal developments. Rich completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Guelph in 2002 with the prize in Political Science and the Brian D. Sullivan Award for student leadership. In 2005, he graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he was a division leader of the school’s legal clinic and president of the school’s student union. Rich loves practicing law – but when he’s taking a break, you’ll find him playing the piano, travelling, catching up on Star Trek and keeping fit

Waheeda Ekhlas Smith is an experienced and compassionate Toronto employment lawyer. She has successfully represented both employees and employers in a variety of employment law matters. Waheeda knows that no two cases are the same. She understands the intricacies of each case and aims for the best outcome. While striving for a speedy resolution before her clients’ matters enter the courts, she is ready and willing to advance or defend their interests to the furthest extent necessary to achieve the most favourable outcome. Prior to practicing as a lawyer, Waheeda worked as a legal assistant for many years, beginning at just 18 years old. This unique background has helped Waheeda develop an innate appreciation for the law and how it can help her clients when they need it most. Her clients feel comforted and confident in her direct yet compassionate approach. Waheeda does not hesitate to advocate for her clients and has appeared at various Ontario courts and tribunals including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Labour Relations Board, and Small Claims Court. Waheeda has represented clients at numerous examinations for discoveries, mediations, pre-trials, and motions. Her vast courtroom experience gives her an incomparable advantage in employment law. Waheeda earned her law degree at The University of Windsor, where she received academic awards in Civil Procedure and Constitutional Litigation. Prior to that, she earned a B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario, where she graduated on the Dean’s Honour List, a distinction reserved for the top 10% of students within the entire program. When not working, Waheeda enjoys spending time with her husband and pets and enjoys visiting new places, having lived in or travelled to five continents. Also, in her travels, she hopes to visit all 30 MLB ballparks in North America, and only has 5 more to go!

Nicole advises employers on a wide array of workplace issues, including wrongful dismissals, human rights complaints, occupational health and safety complaints, and drafting employment policies and agreements. She represents employers in various labour and employment litigation matters. Nicole joined Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP in 2020, after articling for a prominent criminal defence firm where she gained valuable litigation experience. She received her law degree from Queen’s University in 2019 where she won the Labour Law Award and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2020. Before attending law school, Nicole completed her undergraduate degree in Global Development at Queen’s University. Nicole studied in French and is bilingual. Nicole enjoys travel and, together with her family, has driven her motorcycle on numerous cross country road trips. She loves taking her rescue dog hiking and camping.

Todd represents employers in all areas of employment and labour law, including wrongful dismissal litigation, employee discipline and termination, employment standards complaints, human rights complaints, labour arbitration, workplace safety litigation, fiduciary litigation, and drafting employment policies and contracts. He has represented clients before all levels of court in Ontario, including judicial reviews and appeals before the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Todd frequently writes on topics related to employment law and has authored or co-authored articles for Canadian Lawyer In House Magazine, Workplace.ca, Your Workplace, LexisNexis Practice Advisor, and the Federated Press. Todd has a strong interest in entrepreneurship and has worked for a variety of small businesses, including previously running his own construction business. As a result of these experiences Todd understands the practical issues that come with managing a workforce. Todd enjoys Toronto’s vibrant restaurant scene, travelling, snowboarding, and cheering for the Leafs, Jays, Raptors and Bills.