Amanda J. Hunter

I have been practicing labour and employment law for more than 20 years. I love the challenge of making the increasingly complex legal obligations of employers understandable and workable. Relationships are key in this area of the law. I like to consider multiple perspectives and find creative ways to solve problems that meet the interests of all stakeholders. At the same time, I recognize that some conflict can only be managed through litigation. As an advocate, I value efficiency and try to find strategies that minimize cost without compromising the result.

I am frequently sought out for my knowledge and expertise regarding minimum standards legislation. I enjoy the process of working through statutes and regulations to figure out how to apply them in practice. The more technical and complicated, the better.

​I have advised both private and public employers with clients in different industries and sectors including manufacturing, financial services, technology, municipalities, hospitals and education.

I have litigated before all levels of Court in Ontario and appeared before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Grievance Settlement Board and labour arbitrators.

I pride myself on learning the ins and outs of every organization that I represent and that healthy curiosity allows me to understand the context for my advice. I am known for my responsiveness and excellent client service which has helped me foster client relationships that have lasted decades.

Recent Work

• Successfully argued summary hearing dismissing an HRTO application due to delay.
• Successfully argued that a vaccination policy was consistently applied despite variations to address progressive discipline, accommodation and urgent circumstances due to evolving variants.
• Represented a university to successfully confirm discipline for a professor’s negative comments to students regarding a on-line course he did not want to teach.
• Represented employer in 2019 Ontario Court of Appeal decision confirming that reasonable notice is capped at 24 months unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• Advised and represented hospitals through the process under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act
• Represented a private sector manufacturing employer in grievance arbitration regarding termination of employment and successfully argued that there was just cause for termination due to sabotage.
• ​Advised various employers through complex workplace harassment investigations involving multiple respondents and complainants.

Recent Appearances and Publications

• Law Society of Ontario – The Employment Agreement: Key Clauses 2024 – Program Co-Chair (March 1, 2024)
• Lancaster House – Toronto Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference – “Potholes on the Road to Justice: Addressing delay, abuse of process, and undue legalization in arbitration” (November 3, 2023)
• Law Society of Ontario – 23rd Employment Law Summit – Legislative Update (October 12, 2022)
• Lancaster House Ontario Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference (November 23, 2021)
• Lancaster House Flashpoints in University and College Labour Law:  Contract and Term Appointments, Evaluation, Discipline, Harassment and more (March 25, 2021)
• ​Six minute Employment Lawyer – Law Society of Ontario – Executive Compensation Plans and the Duty to Notify (June 29, 2020) – Download Article

Committees 

• Member of the Egale Legal Issues Committee
• Chair of the Advocates’ Society Labour and Employment Practice Group (2023/2024)
• Co-Chair American Bar Association International Section Employment Committee (2021/2024)