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.

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

Simone Ostrowski, Partner