Richard Charney, John Mastoras and Daniel McDonald lead the new group of lawyers
Dentons Canada has added a 10-lawyer employment and labour team led by Toronto-based partners Richard J. Charney, John Mastoras and Daniel McDonald, strengthening its capabilities in labour relations, employment and human rights litigation, workplace safety and executive employment matters.
The firm announced the expansion on October 13, highlighting the incoming team's experience advising unionized and federally regulated employers. The group brings expertise in collective bargaining, human rights litigation and workplace disputes.
Andy Pushalik, leader of Dentons' national employment and labour group, said the expansion reflects the practice's depth and momentum as employers navigate restructuring, trade pressures, changing workplace expectations and an unpredictable labour relations environment.
"Across the country, employers are facing change on several fronts at once — restructuring, trade pressure, evolving workplace expectations and an unpredictable labour relations environment," Pushalik said in a statement. "This team has spent their careers in exactly those moments, and our clients will feel the difference immediately."
Charney brings decades of experience advising boards, chief executives and management teams on workforce matters, including collective bargaining, labour disputes, executive employment and restructuring. His practice includes representing institutional and federally regulated employers.
Mastoras focuses on labour arbitration, labour board litigation and collective bargaining at the provincial and federal levels. His practice also covers labour injunctions and representing employers in regulated and unionized workplaces.
McDonald advises employers on occupational health and safety compliance and defence, collective bargaining and workplace policy development. His practice includes helping employers manage workplace risks and respond to disputes.
The incoming group also includes Jordan Winch, Samantha Cass and Nicole McLean as counsel, Josh Hoffman as senior associate, and Valerie Li and Brian Wood as associates. Bailey Pelletier joins the firm's Ottawa office as an associate.
Sheila Tracey and Yma Swasey have also joined Dentons' Toronto office as members of its legal support team.
Blair McCreadie, Dentons' Toronto managing partner, said the additions expand the firm's capacity to advise clients on human resources, labour relations, pensions, benefits and business immigration.
McCreadie also highlighted the incoming partners' decades-long reputation and Dentons' national and global platforms, noting their connection to work the firm already handles for clients in Ontario and beyond.
Dentons' employment and labour group advises unionized and non-unionized organizations on workplace matters. Its lawyers regularly appear before courts, boards and tribunals at various levels.
