Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Employment & Labour

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment & Labour - Ontario

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a national firm with an employment team based in Toronto and Ottawa. It provides significant capabilities in both transactional and contentious employment matters for a range of provincial, federal and international clients. It is capable of advising on all employment aspects of M&A, including drafting contracts and handling occupational health and safety matters. Furthermore, its experience encompasses constructive dismissals, harassment claims and human rights issues.

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Work Highlights

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  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised AstraZeneca on the Canadian aspects of its USD2 billion acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceutical.

Strengths

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  • Blakes takes their time to really understand their client's perspective and needs. They pay attention to all pertinent details.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • The employment department has a deep well of knowledge of market conditions. Their advice was practical, direct and compassionate.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • Blakes has depth in all areas of law and assists in providing great overall advice. They are always able to bring appropriate levels and subject matter experts to the table.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • I am always impressed with their ability to come up with creative solutions.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • The firm is very good at letting us know what the legal frameworks are and working with us to achieve the most successful outcome for all the parties involved.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Andrea York
    Andrea York

    Andrea York

    Toronto-based Andrea York is head of Blake, Cassels & Graydon's national employment and labour practice and the co-chair of its privacy group. She is well respected for advising on the employment aspects of corporate and M&A transactions, and is equally capable of representing clients in disputes as well as providing strategic employment advice.

    • Andrea York is amazing. She is well-rounded and always gives us the best support.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • We can always rely on Andrea to give quality advice and sound reasoning. She understands our business very well and supports our needs.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Andrea is such a trusted partner. She is as valued as someone on our team.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Holly Reid
    Holly Reid

    Holly Reid

    Holly Reid is an adept lawyer based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office, who has wide-ranging experience in employment issues. She is particularly well regarded for her expertise assisting clients with harassment and misconduct allegations in the workplace and also excels in advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions.

    • Holly provides timely, real-time legal advice in a practical way to meet business objectives.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Holly is one of our most trusted legal advisers. She consistently delivers expert and pragmatic advice and breaks it down into simple action items that helps our business move forward.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • I always appreciate Holly's balanced approach and willingness to brainstorm. My team absolutely loves her!

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • She's exceptional, I can't say enough about Holly and her strengths - she's a standout when it comes to employment.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Holly is a great resource for driving matters to completion in a practical way.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Anna Abbott
    Anna Abbott

    Anna Abbott

    Anna Abbott is recognised for her experience on a diverse range of employment and labour matters, which often interact with human rights law.

    • Anna is thoughtful, practical and solutions-oriented.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Anna has been a supportive partner as we've needed to navigate employment issues. Her guidance is always thoughtful and detailed.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Daryl Cukierman
    Daryl Cukierman

    Daryl Cukierman

    Daryl Cukierman is a respected employment and labour practitioner across human rights matters and related to corporate transactions. He has additional experience advising on grievance arbitrations.

    • Daryl is very practical and available.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Daryl brings excellent knowledge of employment standards and a very thorough and detail-oriented approach on the guidance he provides.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • His ability to explain concepts and come up with reasonable business outcomes is remarkable.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Laura Blumenfeld
    Laura Blumenfeld

    Laura Blumenfeld

    Based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office, Laura Blumenfeld assists with employment compliance as well as contentious matters, including handling grievances.

    • She an excellent writer and does a great job guiding us in all matters of Ontario employment law.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Laura has been an exceptional business partner and adviser and we are immensely grateful for the value that she has provided.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Laura is an excellent drafter. I feel very comfortable relying on her knowledge, advice and efficiency.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Alysha Sharma
    Alysha Sharma

    Alysha Sharma

    Alysha Sharma is based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office and has a broad employment and labour practice. She has experience advising employers in all areas of employment and labour law, including hiring issues, employment standards, human rights, labour relations, occupational health and safety and wrongful dismissals.

    • We always benefit from her legal acumen and value her business savvy.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • She is very capable, skilled and efficient.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Alysha Sharma is knowledgeable, efficient and she gets results.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Alysha is extraordinarily strong for her tenure and brings a degree of experience, accountability and support.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (6)

Ontario

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