Senior Associate Lawyer – Labour & Employment

Forge Recruitment; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Toronto is seeking a seasoned Senior Associate Lawyer to manage employment and labour files and provide strategic legal counsel. The ideal candidate has a minimum of 6 years' experience in labour and employment law with strong advocacy skills. Join a prestigious team known for excellence and mentorship in a non-hierarchical culture with a competitive salary and career growth opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Mentorship

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in labour and employment law, with an emphasis on litigation.
• Experience with both provincial and federal labour/employment matters is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of employment and labour files.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to employers on HR issues.
• Handle files from intake to resolution.

Skills

Licensed to practice law in Ontario

Labour and employment law expertise

Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills

Client-service orientation

Job description

The Opportunity

Our client, a prestigious and award-winning labour and employment boutique law firm based in downtown Toronto, is seeking a seasoned Senior Associate Lawyer to join their growing team. The firm, both representing employers and employees, is widely known for its strategic, proactive approach to workplace and labour law.

With a growing reputation as one of the most trusted names in labour and employment law, this firm has accolades including being voted a Toronto Star Readers’ Choice winner three years running; Diamond Winner (2023) and 2× Platinum Winner (2022, 2024) - and a 4.9-star Google rating. It was named one of Canada’s top labour and employment law firms by HR Law Canada in 2025, with the Managing Partner honoured as “Lawyer of the Year,” underscoring a culture of leadership, excellence, and unwavering advocacy.

This is a rare opportunity to join a team of litigators and strategic advisors who are deeply respected in the space and work on high-stakes matters for clients across a wide variety of industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of employment and labour files, including: wrongful and constructive dismissal litigation; human rights applications; labour arbitrations; collective bargaining and union-related disputes; Ontario Labour Relations Board and Employment Standards matters.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to employers on day-to-day HR issues, internal investigations, and risk mitigation.
• Handle files from intake to resolution, including drafting pleadings, conducting discoveries, arguing motions, negotiating settlements, and appearing before tribunals and courts.
• Collaborate with senior partners on complex advisory mandates and contribute to the firm’s knowledge base.
• Participate in client development, marketing initiatives, and potential mentoring of junior associates.

The Ideal Candidate

• Licensed to practice and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in labour and employment law, with an emphasis on litigation.
• Comfortable managing files independently and providing direct advice to employer clients.
• Experience with both provincial and federal labour / employment matters is a strong asset.
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach and strong client-service orientation.
• Desire to grow within a high-performance boutique environment.

Why Join This Firm?

• Join a top-ranked national boutique recognized in 2025 by HR Law Canada.
• Work alongside a Managing Partner recently named “Lawyer of the Year” for excellence in employer representation.
• Autonomy over your files with support when needed.
• Flexibility, strong mentorship, and a results-driven, non-hierarchical culture.
• Competitive salary, bonus structure, and meaningful career progression.

Apply Now

To apply in confidence, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter to Stavros Kanichis at: [e-mail]. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Law Practice and Legal Services

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada