Simone Ostrowski, Partner
Simone Ostrowski, Partner
Law School: Queens University
Admitted to Bar: 2014
Years of Experience: 8
Proficiency In: Human Rights, Discriminatory Dismissals, and Executive Compensation
A Fearless and Results Driven Litigator,
Delivering Excellence in Everything She Does
As a partner at Whitten and Lublin, Simone Ostrowski, is an employment lawyer and litigator, who demands excellence. Consequently, clients can expect outstanding service, great communication, and smart strategy every time.
This high achiever has been described by clients as patient, caring and professional. As a litigator, Simone has been characterized as poised, confident and unflappable. Recognized for her quick thinking and sharp mind, she aggressively pursues her strategy, often demolishing her opponent’s case, to ensure the best outcome for her client.
Simone assists employees and employers in all aspects of workplace law, including wrongful/constructive dismissal claims, separation packages, harassment and human rights claims, occupational health and safety laws, employment contracts, executive compensation and workplace policies, training and compliance.
While Simone’s highly skilled in all areas of employment law, her desire to protect people when they are at their most vulnerable has influenced her specific interest in Human Rights law. This focus has led her to appear as a speaker on panels involving human rights law as well as receiving awards in this area.
In Simone’s free time, she enjoys long-distance running, and getting outdoors to hike, bike and ski.
Courtroom Success: – A Determined Litigator
Simone Ostrowski has argued cases at all levels of the courts in Ontario including the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Small Claims Court, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and various matters in front of labour arbitrators. She has also made submissions to the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Rahman v. Cannon Design Architecture Inc., 2021 ONSC 5961, successfully defended employer’s severance provision. Although the decision was later overturned on appeal, its impact was significant.
- Yee v. Hudson’s Bay Company, 2021 ONSC 1651 (CanLII), successfully convinced the court to award client elevated costs due to the Defendant’s bad faith conduct in preparation for the trial.
- Yee v Hudson’s Bay Company, 2021 ONSC 387 (CanLII), successfully argued first known Canadian case to address impact of Covid-19 on severance awards.
Read more...
- United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Canada Local 333 and Paragon Protection Ltd., Re, 2021 CarswellOnt 1604, November 9, 2021 (Von Veh), prevailed in defense of Covid 19 vaccination policy for client
- Di Biase v. 1004904 Ontario Limited O/A Canada Pure Water Co. Ltd, 2019 HRTO 1005, successfully won Human Rights discrimination case
- Bell v. Three Small Rooms Hair Salon Inc., 2019 HRTO 287, successfully stopped the amendment of human rights application
- Zigomanis v. 2156775 Ontario Inc. (D’Angelo Brands), 2018 ONCA 116 , successfully convinced the Ontario Court of Appeal to uphold a trial judge’s award regarding her hockey player client’s promotional contract
- Aziz v. Huronia Insurance Group, [2018] O.J. No. 6532, effectively defended client against wrongful dismissal claim
- Downtown Kids Academy Inc. v. Zakrzewski, 2017 ONSC 5045, successfully challenged an injunction that would have impacted the client’s ability to work in her industry
- Decision No. 1088/17, 2017 ONWSIAT 1442 , prevailed on appeal to overturn decision in favour of client regarding workplace accident
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 120 v Armoclan Engineering Ltd., 2016 CanLII 8789 (ON LRB), successfully won workplace dispute in favour of union
- Decision No. 354/15, 2015 ONWSIAT 773, successfully won on appeal before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal regarding additional workplace injury compensation for her client
- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 18 v 2342981 Ontario Inc (Swan Construction, Swan & Associates Inc), 2014 CanLII, successfully won workplace dispute in favour of client
- Eastern Power Limited v Labourers’ International Union of North America, Local 1089, 2014 CanLII 6673 (ON LRB) – won a sector dispute on behalf of several construction trade union local
News and Other Media
Recent interviews, citations and appearances include:
- CPD Online.ca, Health & Safety in the Pandemic Era, May 27, 2022
- HDR, Inside the Liberal-NDP deal — and what it really means for HR, April 7, 2022
- Canadian Lawyer, Vaccine mandates: Are they legal in Canada?, Feb 24, 2022
Read more...
- CTV News, “Mandatory vaccinations in the workplace”, September 12, 2021
- CTV News, What rights do working parents have to help them juggle childcare, May 4, 2021
- CBC News, “Union paying legal bills for teachers charged with crimes against students”, December 28, 2019
- Benefits Canada, Head-to-Head: Should Canada’s workplace mental-health standard by mandatory?, June 28, 2019
- CBC News, “Former Domino’s Pizza driver awarded over $28K after the company broke labour laws”, November 14, 2018
- Globe and Mail, “Toronto company criticized for job ad saying ‘men are preferred’ for 25-pound lifting”, June 19, 2018
Do you need workplace legal advice?
Whitten & Lublin Employment and Labour Lawyers is a nationally recognized team, assisting employees in all aspects of workplace legal disputes. Don’t take a chance with your case. Consult the law firm with a team of proficient employment and labour law lawyers.
Toronto & GTA: (647) 946-1276