Business Contracts and Commercial Agreements

• Service and consulting agreements: Drafting and negotiating clear scopes of work, fee and payment terms, performance milestones, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution provisions to reduce risk and avoid ambiguity.

• Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements (NDAs): NDAs to protect confidential information during negotiations, collaborations, and vendor relationships.

• Independent contractor and employment agreements: Agreements that distinguish contractor vs. employee status, set deliverables and fee structures, and address IP ownership and confidentiality.

• Shareholder and partnership agreements: Structuring rights and obligations, equity vesting, buy-sell provisions, deadlock resolution, and exit planning to protect owners and align incentives.

• Commercial lease arrangements: Review and negotiation of lease terms, rent and operating cost provisions, tenant improvement allowances, assignment and subletting rights, and termination and renewal mechanics.

Employment and Labour Advice (non-unionized workplaces)

• Recruitment and hiring policies: Drafting employment policies, offer letters, and onboarding documents to establish clear expectations and compliance with applicable employment laws.

• Negotiating and drafting employment contracts: Crafting compensation, benefits, confidentiality, non-compete, IP assignment, and restrictive covenant provisions tailored to business needs.

• Handling complaints and settlements: Advising on internal complaint processes, conducting investigations, and negotiating settlement agreements to resolve disputes efficiently and minimize exposure.

• Wrongful and constructive dismissal: Assessing claims, advising on liability and damages exposure, and representing clients in negotiations and litigation when necessary.

• Severance and termination package review: Evaluating proposed severance terms, negotiating enhanced packages, and ensuring releases and post-employment obligations are clear and enforceable.

• Employment contract review: Identifying gaps, risks, and noncompliant provisions in existing agreements and recommending practical amendments.

• Review and challenge CBSA enforcement actions and decisions under the Customs Act, including trade compliance verifications and advance rulings on tariff classification.

• Advise on tariff classification, country-of-origin markings and labeling, and rules of origin to determine applicable customs duties and other taxes on goods imported into Canada.

• Counsel on compliance with Canadian import permits and restrictions on specific goods and services, including regulatory requirements and licensing obligations.

• Prepare responses to information requests from the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal in respect of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations, and support clients throughout such trade remedy proceedings.