Michael Comartin

• Counsel acting in judicial review proceedings on behalf of several provincially and federally-regulated employers in both the public and private sector
• Co-counsel in several proceedings before the Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, and Federal Court, successfully defending the immunity of a foreign sovereign from the jurisdiction of Canadian courts
• Counsel to an international franchise restaurant in responding to a human rights application alleging discrimination on the basis of disability and lack of accessibility, and in implementing a settlement improving accessibility for persons with disabilities across the client’s Ontario locations
• Co-counsel providing strategic advice and litigation support to a leading financial institution in responding to certification of a class action relating to allegedly unpaid overtime
• Co-counsel to a professional consulting business prosecuting judgment against a foreign sovereign for breach of contract in the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal
• Co-counsel to a not-for-profit health care provider in responding to an appeal in Divisional Court and leave to appeal in the Court of Appeal in relation to costs arising from a civil claim by a former employee
• Counsel in Superior Court for several objectors to a class action settlement relating to allegedly improper investment advice; the objectors succeeded in having court approval of the settlement adjourned pending their appeals of their entitlements
• Co-counsel to plaintiffs prosecuting a proposed class action against the Crown relating to discrimination on the basis of disability in the calculation and payment of benefits
• Co-counsel to a pharmaceutical manufacturer defending a class action relating to the alleged improper preparation of medical supplies, and defending the manufacturer against related regulatory proceedings
• Counsel to employers and service providers in responding to human rights applications relating to alleged discrimination in employment and services relating to disability, gender, race, and national or ethnic origin
• Amicus counsel in Divisional Court appeals, assisting self-represented litigants in motions before the Court as part of the Pro Bono Law Ontario Divisional Court amicus project
• Experience in obtaining orders giving effect to requests for international judicial assistance in obtaining evidence in Ontario for use in foreign legal proceedings

Education

• J.D., Queen’s University, 2011
• MIR, Queen’s University, 2008
• B.A., Hons. with distinction, Queen’s University, 2007

Admission to Practice

• Ontario, 2009

• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Everything You Wanted to Know About Canadian Employment Law” – Washington, D.C. – May 3, 2024
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Cross-Border Conundrums: Key Issues for Multinational Employers” – Washington, D.C. – May 1, 2024
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Red Tape and Blue Pencils: Keeping Your Restrictive Covenants Compliant” – San Diego – May 12, 2023
• The Canadian Bar Association Employment Section – “An Update on Termination Clauses” – June 30, 2021
• HRPA Peterborough and Thousand Islands: Understanding in Ontario Employment Law Webinar – “Drafting Better Employment Offers – Avoiding Problems Before They Arise” – April 28, 2021
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Global Solutions COVID-19 Vaccination Roundtable” – February 23, 2021
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Canada Update: Managing the Next COVID-19 Wave and Critical Developments From 2020” – January 20, 2021
• Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Global Solutions, Episode 21: Can Employers Fire Workers who Refuse the COVID-19 Vaccine and Other Conundrums” – December 18, 2020
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Canada Update: Reopening Canadian Workplaces and Recent Decisions Affecting Termination and Arbitration Clauses” – August 19, 2020
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “COVID-19: Managing Your Canadian Workforce” – March 31, 2020
• Ogletree Deakins International, LLP Labour and Employment Law Briefing – “Legislative Review of the Last Year” – Toronto – May 15, 2019

• April 16, 2021 – SHRM Online – “Ontario Government Issues Emergency Stay-at-Home Order”
• October 31, 2019 – Ogletree Deakins International Employment Update – “A Timely Reminder: Just Cause Is a High Threshold in Canada”
• July 25, 2019 – SHRM Online – “Personnel Files in Canada: Are Employers Required to Disclose Them to Employees?”
• May 14, 2019 – Ogletree Deakins International Employment Update – “Canada: Cross-Canada Employment Standards Update”
• November 9, 2018 – SHRM Online – “Canada: Modernization of Labor Code Proposed”
• October 5, 2018 – SHRM Online – “Ontario: Government Announces Repeal of Sweeping Employment Law Changes”

• December 7, 2021 – SHRM – “Canadian Government Requires COVID-19 Vaccines for Public Servants, Travelers”
• January 12, 2021 – 105.7 myFM Strathroy Today – “Can Employers Mandate COVID Vaccine?”
• December 22, 2017 – Business Insurance – “Ontario boosts fines for workplace safety violations”

• The National Law Review Go-To Thought Leader (2020, 2022)
• Mondaq Thought Leader for Immigration, Canada (2021)