Our Team
Michael G. Sherrard

Michael G. Sherrard (he/him)
Direct: 416.603.6240
Cell: 416.809.9204
24 Hour: 416.420.0738

msherrard@sherrardkuzz.com

University of New Brunswick,
Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Education

Assistant:
Jessica Judd
416.603.6248 jjudd@sherrardkuzz.com

Michael G. Sherrard

(he/him)

Michael is recognized as one of Canada’s leading employment and labour lawyers by Chambers Global®, Who’s Who Legal® (Global Elite Thought Leader & Most Highly Regarded), Legal 500®, Best Lawyers® and Lexpert® (labour, employment and occupational health and safety) and as a Five Star Safety Lawyer by Canadian Occupational Safety®. He is a Fellow of the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers®, and holds the designation, King’s Counsel.

Acclaimed for his strategic excellence and outstanding client service, says Chambers Global®, “Michael draws praise for satisfying the needs of even the most demanding clients and his specialist knowledge of union contract and negotiation issues, where he is described as “exceptional,” and impresses with his “phenomenal” work.”

Former Chair of each of the National Labour and Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and the Labour and Employment Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association, Michael is widely published and frequently asked to chair or speak at international and national conferences. His clients are national and international, public and private, and operate in a wide range of industries and sectors.

Boards and Memberships

Michael is the Chair of Skilled Trades Ontario (a Provincial Crown Agency under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) and sits on the board of directors of Skills Canada (Ontario), Support Ontario Youth and the Council of Professional Investigators of Ontario.  He is a Past Executive Member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC), and Past Corporate Chair of the LLSC’s Light The Night, and the Yves Landry Foundation, and a current member of the following organizations:

  • American Bar Association (Administrative & Regulatory Practice and Labour & Employment)
  • American Seniors Housing Association
  • Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association
  • Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
  • Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
  • Council of Ontario Construction Associations
  • Ontario Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law, Administrative Law, Labour & Employment, CCCA/Corporate Counsel, Privacy and Access to Information, Civil Litigation, Constitutional, Civil Liberties, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, Class Action, and Education)
  • Ontario Retirement Communities Association
  • Retail Council of Canada
  • Toronto Board of Trade
  • Toronto Construction Association
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Awards

Michael is the recipient of several awards including the Construction Institute of Canada’s Chancellor’s Award of Excellence, Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) Hard Hat Award of Excellence, University of New Brunswick Alumni Award of Distinction, Canadian Interuniversity Sport (U Sports) Lester B. Pearson Award, and the Canadian Franchise Association Volunteer Leadership Excellence Award and Distinguished Franchise Support Service Award.

Areas of Focus:

Publications & Media

Speaking Engagements

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: Advance Planning to Manage Disputes and Overcome Roadblocks to Growth

    September 19, 2024

  • Positive Employee Relations ~ How to Plan, Prepare and Succeed

    September 18, 2024

  • Canadian Farm Builders Annual Conference

    April 23, 2024

  • Workplace Health and Safety Update

    March 06, 2024

  • Implementation of a New Apprenticeship and Skilled Trades System in Ontario

    December 05, 2023

  • Bargaining In The Broader Public Sector Conference

    December 04, 2023

  • Dos & Don’ts of Working with Private Investigators

    November 16, 2023

  • Franchisor’s Associate Unveiled: Navigating Liability and Legal Developments in the Franchise Industry

    September 21, 2023

  • Addressing the Labour Shortage in the Face of Growing Demand for Infrastructure

    August 23, 2023

  • Employer Implementation of New Policies / Government Enforcement of New Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations: Observations and Insights

    May 9, 2023

  • Opportunities with Skilled Trades Ontario: What to Expect Next

    April 28, 2023

  • Bargaining Unbound: Negotiating in the aftermath of Bill 124

    November 24, 2022

  • Skilled Trades Ontario – Overview of Ontario’s New Crown Agency for Apprenticeship

    November 21, 2022

  • Pre-Campaign Strategies 2 – Panel

    October 24, 2022

  • Finding Solutions to Labour Shortages with Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program

    September 21, 2022

  • Do’s and Don’ts for Lawyers and Private Investigators

    May 18, 2022

  • 3rd Annual Canada Labour Code Compliance 2022- Complying with New Federal Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations

    May 9, 2022

  • What’s New in Duty of Care?

    May 3, 2022

  • The State of Trades Regulation and Training in Ontario

    April 29, 2022

  • Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Labour in Ontario

    April 21, 2022

  • Skilled Trades Ontario – Addressing Labour Shortages, Improving Services and Training

    April 8, 2022

  • 2022 ORBA Annual Convention – Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Labour and Workforce in Ontario

    January 31, 2022

  • Safety and Return to Work: Do’s and Don’ts in the Time of COVID-19 – Employer Best Practices During COVID-19

    January 26, 2022

  • Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021 (Right to Disconnect and Non-Competition Clauses)

    January 14, 2022

  • COVID-19 Moving Forward: Omicron & Boosters

    January 13, 2022

  • Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021 (Right to Disconnect and Non-Competition Clauses)

    December 17, 2021

  • Employment Law West Masterclass re The Practical Challenges of a Hybrid Work Setting

    November 4, 2021

  • Returning to the Workplace? Vaccines? Passports?

    September 24, 2021

  • Vaccine Policy and Promotion in the Workplace

    September 23, 21

  • Vaccine Policy and Promotion in the Workplace

    September 23, 2021

  • Health & Safety: Building a Culture of Safety As We Return To The Workplace

    September 22, 2021

  • Health & Safety: Building a Culture of Safety As We Return To The Workplace

    September 22, 2021

  • RESCON’s Fourth COVID -19 Webinar

    June 29, 2021

  • Covid-19 Legal Requirements: Vaccines, Paid Sick Days, and More

    May 26, 2021

  • Niagara Safety Awareness Day – COVID-19 Vaccination and the Workplace

    May 04, 2021

  • Canadian Labour Law Update

    May 02, 2021

  • Cross Canada Labour and Employment Update

    April 19, 2021

  • COVID-19 Third Wave: Protect, Vaccinate and Communicate with your Workforce

    April 14, 2021

  • Health & Safety Virtual Symposium 2021 – Legislative and COVID Updates: What Manufacturers Need to Know?

    March 30, 2021

  • COVID-19 – Canada Labour Code Update: Proceed With Caution!

    March 17, 2021

  • Building a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace: How to Conduct a Workplace Harassment Investigation

    February 23, 2021

  • Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19 in Construction

    January 28, 2021

  • Virtual Labour Relations Forum – How COVID has Impacted the Workplace

    November 03, 2020

  • Returning to the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know

    August 19, 2020

  • Updating Your Workplace Policies to Reflect Covid-19 Challenges

    August 11, 2020

  • Returning to the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know

    August 06, 2020

  • Managing Human Resources Throughout Covid-19

    July 28, 2020

  • COVID-19: Tracing in Construction

    July 7, 2020

  • Labour Employment and HR Hotspots in Working with COVID-19

    June 17, 2020

  • HR and Labour Considerations During the COVID-19 Crisis

    June 16, 2020

  • Managing in a Time of Pandemic: Employer Considerations When Business Reopens

    June 10, 2020

  • Managing in a Time of Pandemic: Employer Considerations When Business Reopens

    June 10, 2020

  • HR and Labour Considerations During the COVID-19 Crisis – Webinar

    June 10, 2020

  • Covid-19 and Workplace Accommodation (Part of the Managing Your Duty to Accommodate Virtual Conference) – Webinar

    June 9, 2020

  • Lessons Learned in the Early Days of Ramp Up

    May 28, 2020

  • Adapting to the New Normal after COVID-19

    May 22, 2020

  • Co-Chair – Social Issues & Corporate Social Responsibility

    May 5, 2020

  • COVID-19 Canada Legal Update

    May 3, 2020

  • Social Issues & Corporate Social Responsibility

    May 3, 2020

  • COVID-19 FAQ for Employers

    April 28, 2020

  • Social Issues and Corporate Social Responsibility

    April 21, 2020

  • Employer Best Practices to Support Employees During the COVID-19 Crisis

    April 3, 2020

  • Preventing Pandemic Pandemonium: Practical Guidance for Employers

    March 20, 2020

  • Covid-19 Legal Updates

    March 16, 2020

  • Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector – Co Chair

    December 3, 2019

  • The Times Are A- Changin’: An Update on Labour and Employment Law Impacting the Franchising Industry

    September 26, 2019

  • Duty of Care: Obligations to Employees

    April 25, 2019

  • Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policies for Municipal and Public Employees including “Fit for Duty”

    April 17, 2019

  • Positive Employee Relations & Responding to Union Organizing

    January 24, 2019

  • Bill 47: A Practical Session on Workplace Compliance

    January 22, 2019

  • Out With The Old, In With The New: 2018 Year in Review & What to Expect in 2019…

    December 5, 2018

  • University Forum on Contract Academic Staff

    October 12, 2018

  • Social Medial and Privacy – Is there a Generational Divide?

    August 4, 2018

  • Bill 148: It’s Now The Law! What It Means for Employers

    March 7, 2018

  • Bill 148 Brings Sweeping Changes to Ontario’s Employment & Labour Laws – What Employers Need to Know!

    February 15, 2018

  • Bill 148: What it means for the Franchising Industry

    January 31, 2018

  • Conference Co-Chair

    November 22, 2017

  • Preparing for Bill 148 – The “Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017

    November 21, 2017

  • Canada Labour Update Fall 2017

    October 10, 2017

  • Conference Co-Chair

    September 26, 2017

  • Bill 148 – Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 – Legislative Update

    September 19, 2017

  • Webinar Speaker

    August 16, 2017

  • Bill 148 – Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 – A Briefing for Employers

    June 20, 2017

  • Missing in Action: Managing Planned and Unplanned Workplace Absenteeism

    May 30, 2017

  • Missing in Action: Managing Planned and Unplanned Workplace Absenteeism

    May 30, 2017

  • Lead Panel Discussion

    April 22, 2017

  • The New Ontario College of Trades (OCOT)

    April 06, 2017

  • Bill 132 – Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act

    April 06, 2017

  • Conference Chair

    March 03, 2017

  • What Are Your Accommodation Obligations When Disability is Addiction-Based?

    March 03, 2017

  • Labor Relations Update from Canada

    October 16, 2016

  • Changing Workplace Review

    September 30, 2016

  • Update On Changing Workplace Review (Ontario)

    September 22, 2016

  • Leaving the Postal Code: Building Awareness and Prepared Response

    September 11, 2016

  • Canada’s Mobile Workforce: A Legal Perspective on Duty of Care & Employer Best Practices

    September 09, 2016

  • MOL Changing Workplace Review Update

    June 28, 2016

  • Ontario Employers! Critical Amendments Are Coming to the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act! Learn. Get Involved. Prepare.

    May 31, 2016

  • Privacy in the Tech-Era: Your Rights and Responsibilities

    March 29, 2016

  • Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference

    December 09, 2015

  • Managing Alcohol and Drugs in the Workplace

    June 10, 2015

  • Ontario Labour Relations Board Update

    April 11, 2015

  • 2014 Hottest Labour and Employment Developments

    April 01, 2015

  • Protecting your brand without becoming a co-employer

    January 29, 2015

  • Ghomeshi Allegations Spark Vigorous Debate About Off Duty Conduct

    January 28, 2015

  • Staying Ahead of the Curve – Update on Employment Law

    January 21, 2015

  • A Workshop for Pension Plan Trustees and Pension Negotiators

    December 09, 2014

  • Collective Bargaining Challenges

    December 03, 2014

  • Responding to a Workplace Accident

    November 13, 2014

  • Protect Your Brand Without Becoming a Co-Employer

    September 23, 2014

  • Views from the Compensation Experts – Examining Sustainability of Law Firm Compensation Models and Pay Structures

    June 10, 2014

  • Employee Misuse of Workplace Technology – How to Protect Your Organization

    June 05, 2014

  • Social Media Policy Bootcamp

    May 20, 2014

  • Facing a Labour Disruption? Strategies to Gain Leverage & Win!

    April 15, 2014

  • On the Same Team: Strategies for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations

    April 02, 2014

  • Assisting Your Franchisees Address Employee Misconduct Roundtable

    January 30, 2014

  • Protect Your Brand Without Becoming Responsible for the Actions of Your Franchisees

    January 15, 2014

  • 5th Workplace Mental Health – Access to Medical Information: Privacy Considerations & Legal Compliance

    December 10, 2013

  • Keys to Addressing Healthcare’s Most Critical Workplace Issues

    November 26, 2013

  • Sustainable Partner Compensation Systems

    November 05, 2013

  • The Recent Impact of the L.L.O. and European Trade Union Practice on North American Employers: Positive Employee Relations – Music to Our Ears

    September 30, 2013

  • Employer Free Speech in North America

    June 19, 2013

  • Certification Course – U.S. Labor Laws and Their Impact on Remaining Union Free

    May 15, 2013

  • Canadian Legal and Legislative Update

    May 08, 2013

  • Protect Your Brand Without Becoming a Co-Employer

    April 08, 2013

  • Disability Benefits in Employment and After Dismissal

    January 30, 2013

  • Labour and Employment Law – Calling All Pundits and Protégés: Celebrating Mentorship in the Labour & Employment Bar

    December 06, 2012

  • Anatomy of an Unfair Labour Practice

    October 31, 2012

  • The Cost of a Collective Relationship – What’s In It for the Employer?

    October 24, 2012

  • An Employer’s Post-Termination Liability: Recent Decisions That “Up the Ante” for Employers – Perspectives

    September 28, 2012

  • Human Rights and Accommodation Conference

    April 03, 2012

  • Major Case Law and Legislative Update: Analysing Key Decisions and Legislation in Labour Arbitration Law

    December 08, 2011

  • The Key Management Challenge of the Next Decade: Identifying and Developing a New Generation of Leadership

    October 24, 2011

  • Human Rights and Accommodation Conference

    April 27, 2011

  • Employer Liability – When “Reckless Disregard for Safety” Becomes Criminal: What You Should Know About Bill C-45, the Federeal Legislation That Opens the Door for Criminal Charges in the Wake of Workplace Accidents

    November 02, 2010

  • The Art of Hiring and Firing: Legal Considerations and Best Practices for Family Firms

    October 15, 2010

  • Unions Today: Key International Labour/Union Issues Affecting Multinational Companies

    October 03, 2010

  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

    September 21, 2010

  • The Case for a Global Labour Strategy: At Home or Abroad

    May 23, 2010

  • Global Labour Strategies – The Way Forward: HR Challenges in a Rebounding Economy

    March 03, 2010

  • Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Is Your Organization Ready for the Winter Flu Season? Do You Have a Workplace Pandemic Plan?

    November 17, 2009

  • Discharge for Incompetence and Incapacity: The Latest Cases; The Current Rules

    June 25, 2009

  • Performance Management – How to Manage, Motivate and Avoid Liability

    June 03, 2009

  • Catching Up on Recent Cases and Legislative Developments in Labour Law

    May 26, 2009

  • A Guide to Grievances in the Construction Industry – Proving Allegations and Defending Claims

    May 01, 2009

  • Managing Employees in Uncertain Economic Times

    April 29, 2009

  • Contingency Planning & Execution Strategies for Labour Disputes – Injunctions

    April 28, 2009

  • Ivan C. Rand Memorial Lecture Round Table Gues Speaker – Recent Developments in Labour Law

    February 05, 2009

  • How to Conduct a Workplace Investigation – Without Becoming the Subject of an Investigation Yourself?

    November 19, 2008

  • Employer/Employee Relations, Drive Your Small to Medium Sized Enterprise to Success, CFO Challenges in the “SME” Sector

    October 24, 2008

  • Non Culpable and Culpable Employee Terminations: Practical Strategies for Cost-Effective Outcomes

    May 27, 2008

  • Human Rights and Accommodation Conference

    April 02, 2008

  • Implementing and Maintaining Return-to-Work Strategies 2008: Optimizing the Management-Union Relationship During Return-to-Work Procedures and Accommodation Cases

    March 05, 2008

  • Family Day Webinar

    January 28, 2008

  • Privacy of Employee Health Information: Balancing the Interests

    December 07, 2007

  • Getting Down to Brass Tacks: More Than Just Standards of Review – Tips Before Arbitrators

    November 16, 2007

  • Emergency Preparedness Conference – Legal Considerations: How Emergency Preparedness Effects Your Human Resources Policies

    November 15, 2007

  • Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Workplace: Emerging Trends

    November 01, 2007

  • Duty to Accommodate Conference – Discrimination Forum, Accommodating Religious Differences

    October 23, 2007

  • Construction Labour Relations – Construction Certification Primer: Nuts and Bolts for Both Sides (Practical, Interactive Workshop)

    October 19, 2007

  • Construction Labour Relations – A Quarter Century of Provincial Bargaining: Fair Representation in Broader Bargaining Structures

    October 18, 2007

  • HR Law Conference – Protecting Company Secrets

    October 04, 2007

  • Employment & Labour Law Update

    September 6, 2007

  • Collection and Disclosure of Medical Information – Everything You Need to Know

    May 11, 2007

  • Labour Arbitration Conference 2006 – Major Case Law Update

    November 23, 2006

  • Legal Considerations: How Emergency Preparedness Affects Your Human Resources Policies

    November 08, 2006

  • Health & Safety Update 2006

    October 25, 2006

  • Labour & Employment Law for the Construction Industry: Parent-Local Disputes Within Unions: What Unions, Employers and Their Advisors Need to Know

    February 28, 2006

  • Construction Labour Relations, Fundamental Changes Under Bill 144, Key Industry Challenges, Strategies to Minimize Risk and Reduce Liability

    November 24, 2005

  • What You Need to Know About the Amendments to the Labour Relations Act “Construction Amendments”

    October 27, 2005

  • Video Surveillance

    June 21, 2005

  • Managing the Disabled Employee

    June 21, 2005

  • Construction Labour Relations: Successor and Common Employer Provisions

    April 07, 2005

  • Workplace Privacy

    March 02, 2005

  • Drafting, Auditing, Negotiating and Arbitrating Your Workplace Privacy Policy: A Practical Workshop

    March 2, 2005

  • Fatal Violence in the Workplace

    January 28, 2005

  • Workplace Investigations: “What to do – What not to do”

    January 27, 2005

  • “Privacy” in the Arbitral Context

    November 18, 2004

  • Bill C-45: Understanding New Legal Responsibilities and Duties for Corporate Executives, Good Corporate Governance: Directors’ Responsibilities, Executives’ Responsibilities

    August 25, 2004

  • Five Steps to Privacy Compliance – Privacy Compliance for Marketers

    April 06, 2004

  • “When Privacy Interests Clash with Surveillance and Testing”

    January 21, 2004

  • “Privacy Compliance”

    November 19, 2003

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