Monkhouse Law is a Toronto-based employment law firm representing employees and independent contractors in Ontario. Since 2013, our lawyers have represented thousands of individuals in wrongful dismissal, severance, constructive dismissal, employment contracts, workplace harassment, human rights, compensation, and other employment law matters.
Our employment lawyers combine extensive employment law and litigation experience with clear, practical advice designed to help you make informed decisions about your situation.
We Are Focused on Employment Law
Employment law is the focus of our practice. Our lawyers advise and represent employees and independent contractors in matters involving termination, severance packages, constructive dismissal, employment contracts, workplace harassment, discrimination and human rights, disability and accommodation, compensation disputes, layoffs, and other workplace issues.
This focus means that when you come to Monkhouse Law with an employment problem, you are working with lawyers who regularly deal with the legal issues that arise between employees and employers.
Whether you need advice before making a decision, assistance negotiating with your employer, or representation in a legal proceeding, our role is to help you understand how the law applies to your circumstances and what options are available to you.
Experience From Negotiation Through Trial and Appeal
Not every employment dispute needs to go to court. Many matters can be resolved through advice, negotiation, or mediation, and the appropriate strategy depends on the circumstances of the individual case. When litigation is necessary, however, experience matters.
Monkhouse Law lawyers have taken more employment law cases to trial and more to the Ontario Court of Appeal than any other firm in Ontario. Our lawyers have experience representing clients through negotiations, mediations, court proceedings, trials, and appeals.
That range of experience allows us to assess an employment matter not only based on where it stands today, but also with an understanding of what may happen if the dispute continues.
More Than 100 Reported Court Decisions
Monkhouse Law lawyers have appeared in more than 100 reported court decisions involving significant employment law issues.
These cases have addressed matters such as wrongful dismissal, termination clauses, reasonable notice, bonuses and compensation, constructive dismissal, employee misclassification, workplace rights, employer counterclaims, reinstatement, and employment class actions.
Reported decisions provide a public record of a law firm’s litigation experience. For someone considering legal representation, they also provide an opportunity to look beyond marketing claims and see examples of the work the firm’s lawyers have actually done.
You can review examples on our Notable Employment Law Cases page.
Thousands of Employees Represented
Since Monkhouse Law was founded in 2013, our lawyers have represented thousands of employees in employment disputes.
Every employment matter is different. Your length of service, age, position, compensation, employment agreement, reason for termination, workplace circumstances, and other factors can affect your rights and the options available to you.
Our experience across a large number of employment matters helps us identify the issues that may be important in your situation while providing advice based on your individual circumstances.
If you have been terminated or received a severance package, our wrongful dismissal lawyers and severance lawyers can help you understand your potential entitlements before you decide what to do next.
Employment Class Action Experience
Some workplace problems affect more than one employee. Monkhouse Law lawyers have acted in certified employment class actions involving issues such as unpaid vacation and holiday pay, overtime, employee misclassification, termination pay, and severance pay.
Our class action experience includes cases involving significant questions about workplace rights and compensation affecting groups of employees. Andrew Monkhouse has also been involved in employment class action litigation involving developing areas of workplace law, including contractor and employee classification and vacation and holiday pay.
Learn more about our current employee class actions and settled employee class actions.
Leadership in Employment Law
Monkhouse Law was founded in 2013 by Andrew Monkhouse, Managing Partner, employment lawyer, litigator, legal author, and adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Between 2013 and 2025, Andrew took more employment law cases to trial or summary judgment and more employment law appeals than any other lawyer in Ontario. His litigation experience includes appearances before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Ontario Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of British Columbia, and Supreme Court of Canada, as well as human rights and other administrative tribunals.
Andrew is also the founding President of the Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario and has held leadership positions in the Labour and Employment Law sections of both the Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association. He regularly shares his employment law and litigation experience through legal education and teaches law students as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.
He is the lead author of Canadian Forms & Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment, published by LexisNexis Canada, and in 2025 received the Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Gold Key Distinction in recognition of his work in access to justice initiatives, business success, and mentorship.
Andrew’s litigation experience, teaching, legal writing, and involvement in the employment law profession have helped shape Monkhouse Law and the team of employment lawyers the firm has built since 2013.
You can read more about his experience, representative cases, teaching, and professional leadership on Andrew Monkhouse’s profile.
Employment Law Commentary and Publications
Monkhouse Law lawyers are regularly sought out by journalists, editors, legal publications, and industry media for commentary on employment law and workplace developments.
Our lawyers have appeared in or contributed to publications and media including CBC News, The Globe and Mail, CTV News, Toronto Star, Global News, Law360 Canada, Canadian HR Reporter, and other Canadian media.
Our lawyers have discussed issues including wrongful dismissal, severance, workplace policies, employee monitoring, employment contracts, human rights, class actions, changes to employment legislation, and significant court decisions.
You can see recent interviews, commentary, articles, and publications on our News and Publications page.
Awards & Recognition
Monkhouse Law has received recognition for both its employment law practice and the growth of the firm.
In 2022, Monkhouse Law was included in the Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. In 2021, the firm was named a finalist for Best Labour & Employment Law Boutique of the Year at the Canadian HR Awards, following finalist recognition from 2018 through 2020.
In 2019, Monkhouse Law received the Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Gold Award for Best Law Firm and was recognized by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business as the Top Growing Law Firm of 2019.
Clear, Practical Advice About Your Options
Employment problems are not only legal problems. Losing a job or dealing with a serious workplace dispute can affect your income, career, family, and plans for the future.
Our role is to help you understand the legal side of the situation so you can make informed decisions.
We explain your rights, the potential strengths and challenges of your matter, the options available to you, and the possible next steps. Where there is more than one way forward, we can discuss the advantages, risks, costs, and practical considerations associated with those options.
You do not need to have all of your documents ready before contacting us. Monkhouse Law does not require documents in advance of a case review, and your appointment will not be delayed while you gather paperwork. If you already have relevant documents and would like to send them beforehand, you are welcome to do so.
If you have recently been terminated, received a severance offer, or are unsure whether your employment rights have been respected, our free consultation can help determine whether your matter is one we may be able to assist with.
Transparent Information About Legal Fees
The cost of hiring a lawyer is understandably an important consideration when deciding whether to pursue an employment matter.
Monkhouse Law offers different fee arrangements depending on the type of legal service and the circumstances of the matter, including contingency, hourly, and flat-fee arrangements where appropriate. Before legal work begins, the applicable fee arrangement is explained so you can understand how you will be charged.
You can review our Fees page for information about Monkhouse Law’s current fees and retainers.
If you are researching legal costs more generally, our guide to how much an employment lawyer costs in Ontario explains common fee arrangements and cost considerations in more detail.
Meet the Monkhouse Law Team
Monkhouse Law has grown from the firm founded by Andrew Monkhouse in 2013 into a substantial team of employment lawyers and legal professionals.
Different employment matters require different experience and skills. Our team includes lawyers with experience in employment law advice, negotiation, mediation, litigation, trials, appeals, human rights matters, and class actions.
Meet our employment law team and learn more about the individual lawyers and legal professionals who make up Monkhouse Law.
Is Monkhouse Law Right for You?
If you have been terminated, received a severance package, been presented with an employment agreement, experienced a significant change to your job, or are dealing with another serious workplace issue, obtaining legal advice can help you understand your rights before you make decisions that may affect your claim.
The right next step will depend on your individual circumstances. In some situations, you may simply need advice about your options. In others, negotiation or legal representation may be appropriate.
Monkhouse Law represents employees and independent contractors in Toronto and throughout Ontario, including individuals working in federally regulated workplaces.
Speak With an Employment Lawyer
Choosing an employment lawyer can be an important decision, particularly when your job, income, reputation, or future employment may be at stake. It is important to understand your rights, your options, and how your lawyer can help you move forward.
If you are considering hiring an employment lawyer, the first step is to contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation. During the initial consultation, we can learn more about your situation and discuss the appropriate next step.