Jason is a pragmatic and highly focused problem solver. With more than 20 years’ experience as a Toronto employment lawyer, his background includes serving as the Managing Partner of one of the country’s most well-known employment law firms, and more than 10 years of practicing employment law & labour law at one of Canada’s premier full-service firms.

That experience, combined with his previous work history in the construction and building trades, means that Jason brings a real-world sensibility to legal and business issues; and he is as comfortable speaking with a CEO as he is with talking to workers on a job-site.

Jason is a trusted advisor to many employers across a breadth of industry sectors; and he assists his clients in all areas of workplace law. He regularly works with human resources professionals in preparing employment and consulting contracts, performance improvement plans, termination agreements, and workplace policies of various descriptions; and he is also experienced in working with corporate counsel on the labour & employment aspects of reorganizations and sale-of-business transactions.

Unlike many employment lawyers who work only with employers, Jason has also built a strong reputation assisting executives, professionals and other senior-level individuals with their personal employment law matters.

Jason’s experience in advocating from both the employer and the employee perspectives – and his unique insight into both of those perspectives – means that he can deliver more valuable and strategic advice to all of his clients. In every situation, Jason is committed to understanding his client’s goals and priorities, to delivering “custom-tailored” service, and to achieving optimal results.

Jason enjoys working with clients to proactively reduce risks, to avoid legal exposure, and to negotiate solutions to complicated issues.

That said, he is also a talented and forceful litigator when disputes arise; and, in that regard, Jason has represented clients before numerous Courts and Tribunals, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Jason enjoys the practice of employment law; and he maintains a constant interest in keeping up-to-date on legal developments that could affect his clients.  He has written numerous published articles, has presented many seminars on workplace law topics, and is frequently quoted in the media.

Jason balances his busy practice with his “other” full-time job as family man and dad to his two young sons; and in his spare time (such as it is) you might spot him behind the wheel (or tinkering under the hood) of his vintage Pontiac.

Practice areas include

For Employers:

• Hiring, Discipline and Dismissal
• Absenteeism, Accommodation and Return-to-Work Issues
• Employment Standards
• Employment Contracts
• Exit Agreements
• Human Rights
• Executive Contracts and Compensation
• Mediation
• Workers’ Compensation
• Workplace Policies
• Workplace Compliance
• Workforce Restructuring
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Workplace Safety & Insurance

For Employees:

• Human Rights Violations
• Constructive Dismissal
• Employment Contracts
• Exit Agreements
• Severance Packages
• Executive Severance
• Leaves of Absence
• Workplace Harassment
• Wrongful Dismissal / Termination of Employment
• Non-Competition / Non-Solicitation Agreements
• Unlawful Discrimination & Human Rights Violations

Memberships & Associations:
 

• Law Society of Upper Canada
• Ontario Bar Association
• Occupational Health & Safety Sub-Committee of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
• Editorial Advisory Board of the HRPA’s HR Professional magazine

Education & Credentials:
 

• Called to the Ontario Bar, 2001
• LL. B, University of Toronto, 1999
• McMaster University, 1996 (B. Arts Sci., Honours)

Michelle Plourde

Michelle has built a remarkable record of experience in supporting employment law and civil litigation practices with high profile firms in Toronto and Hamilton. Having joined Duntrune close to five years ago, the outstanding and consistent quality of her work is a testament to her keen appreciation of the value that the Firm attaches to responsive service to its client base.

Matthew Dewar

Matt practices employment law with one philosophy in mind: a good lawyer is a problem solver. As a founding partner at Duntrune LLP, Matt puts this philosophy into practice while advocating for both employers and employees. Along with his 20 years of experience in employment law, this approach guides his work with every client, whether he is representing an individual who feels they have been wronged or a large company focusing on its overall goals.

Skilled, Strategic, Savvy.

With ample grey hair as incontrovertible evidence, Israel has over 30 years of experience as an employment and human rights counsel. Commanding the universal respect of the bench, tribunals, mediators and the bar, Israel's profile in the legal community is that of a seasoned and proficient practitioner. It is no surprise that he is regularly retained to act for both employers and employees.