Best Law Firms in Ottawa, ON for Labour and Employment Law

At Emond Harnden, we are committed to supporting healthy and productive workplaces. We take the time to understand each client’s organization, priorities, and practical realities. This approach allows us to work closely with our clients and remain focused on their long-term interests. Over time, this has led many of Canada’s private, public, and not-for-profit organizations to rely on us as a trusted advisor. We maintain strong working relationships with clients operating under both federal and provincial jurisdictions.

Our lawyers have extensive experience across a wide range of labour, employment, and human resources matters, including labour arbitration, wrongful dismissal, employment standards, employment contracts, collective bargaining, labour board proceedings, human rights, occupational health and safety, workplace safety and insurance, privacy compliance, pay and employment equity, pension and benefit plan administration, governance, and alternative dispute resolution.

Our firm has been profiled nationally as a management-side labour and employment law firm, with 55 lawyers dedicated exclusively to the needs of organizations across Canada. Since our founding in 1987, we have provided services in both of Canada’s official languages. Our lawyers are supported by an in-house research group whose focused skills and experience help deliver practical and cost-conscious legal advice and resources.

An important part of our philosophy is recognizing that we often provide meaningful value by helping clients better understand how to achieve their labour relations and human resources objectives. To support this goal, Emond Harnden offers a range of services for senior executives, managers, and in-house counsel, including seminars and workshops tailored to all levels of an organization. These programs address topics such as the duty to accommodate, workplace harassment and violence, termination issues, and proactive management of workplace safety and insurance claims. Our website and email alerts also help employers stay informed about significant cases and developments in employment and labour law.

Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve you is to be in tune with your world, aligned with your opportunity and ambitious for your success. With more than 1,500 legal professionals around the world, we provide our clients with in-depth knowledge in key global sectors and a suite of legal services at home and abroad. We see the world through our clients' eyes, and collaborate across countries, offices, service areas and sectors to help them succeed, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

Brief History

With roots tracing back to 1887, Gowling WLG grew to become one of the largest and most respected law firms in Canada, with a reputation for innovation in client-focused service delivery.

Building on its early strength in intellectual property, Gowling WLG diversified to offer a full suite of business law, litigation and intellectual property services in all of Canada’s key industries, including energy, mining, financial services, government, infrastructure, manufacturing, life sciences and technology.