Michael Lee

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

Michael advises on hiring, performance management, discipline, and termination. He regularly drafts employment agreements, bonus plans, and workplace policies; negotiates collective agreements; and advises employers on compliance with employment standards, health and safety legislation, and labour relations obligations.

He has particular expertise in managing accommodation requests and other human rights issues. 

Much of Michael’s practice involves high-stakes labour disputes, with a particular focus on those arising in the construction industry. He often appears 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 frequently represents employers in defending 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.