Michael F. Lee

Michael helps employers solve workplace disputes before they escalate, and advocates for them when they do. As a lawyer in the Firm’s Labour and Employment Group, he works with both public- and private-sector clients across the full life cycle of a workplace relationship.

Much of Michael’s practice involves high-stakes labour disputes, particularly those arising in the construction industry. He is often before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, representing employers in certification and displacement applications, unfair labour practice complaints, grievance referrals, jurisdictional disputes, and matters involving strikes or lockouts.

Michael also defends employers against wrongful dismissal actions and human rights complaints, and litigates breach of restrictive covenant and defamation claims involving former employees.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Legal Studies from Carleton University and a Juris Doctor from Western Law. An avid debater, Michael ranked as the top oralist at Western Law’s First Year Advocacy Competition. He also represented Western as an oralist at the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition. In his final year of law school, Michael won the Hicks Morley labour and employment law moot and acted as Co-President of Western Law’s Labour and Employment Law Society.

Outside the office, Michael enjoys getting wound up over NHL hockey and English Premier League soccer with his family.

Michael takes pride in being a responsive lawyer who delivers practical, outcome-focused solutions that fit his clients’ business needs.