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When Is the Right Time to Hire an Employment Lawyer?

When Is the Right Time to Hire an Employment Lawyer?

byLecker & Associates | Employee Rights and Entitlements , Employment Contracts , Fired, Laid-off, or Forced out , Illness, Sick, and Stress Leave , Maternity & Parental Leave , Workplace harassment

Employment lawyers are a great resource to have when facing employment-related legal disputes. They ensure that employers’ and employees’ rights are protected against exploitation and resolve workplace disagreements that violate labour and employment laws. Hiring an employment lawyer is in your best interests because they can explain legal jargon, reduce your risk of being sued and ensure that your company policies are compliant with federal and provincial employment laws.

The best time to hire an employment lawyer is before an employee signs any legal document, becomes subject to an investigation, is let go from work or if they are starting a new job. The best time to hire an employment lawyer for an employer is before your business hires its first employee, establishes its payroll system, determines what kind of operations your staff will be performing or when deciding to end someone’s employment. You may want to consult an employment lawyer if you need to:

1. Draft and Review Company Agreements

Within an organization, there are contracts and documentation that are tailored to the employee, employer or both. Certain agreements and guidelines govern how employers and employees should operate. These may include employment contracts, job descriptions, employee handbooks and severance agreements. Hiring an employment lawyer to draft or review these contracts and policies can save you a liability headache in the long run. Employment counsel can also determine if your documents are legally binding and comply with employment laws.

Company agreements and policies should also be reviewed and updated frequently to reflect changes in employment laws, updates to an employee’s contract due to promotion or demotion and to guarantee that all guidelines and legally binding contracts are free from ambiguity and omissions.

2. Resolve Workplace Conflicts or Lawsuits

Handling workplace conflicts and lawsuits internally can be challenging and time-consuming. An experienced employment lawyer can provide third-party legal services to resolve your case. Legal action should be taken if an employee’s rights have been violated in any of the following ways:

  • Discrimination: biased treatment from an employer based on race, age, gender or religion
  • Harassment: unwelcome and offensive conduct directed at an individual or group based on sexual orientation, disability or race
  • Wrongful termination: losing a job without cause or compensation
  • Hostile work environment: an unsafe or uncomfortable work environment – for example, due to public shaming, bullying or nepotism
  • Retaliation after whistle-blowing: when an employee is disciplined for highlighting company misconduct
  • Denial of employment benefits such as health insurance

It can also be helpful for employers to seek legal assistance to navigate workplace conflicts or lawsuits. These situations can include everything from disagreements between employees to wage disputes. Working with an employment lawyer can help an employee or employer reach a settlement agreement and avoid a major lawsuit that could ruin the company’s reputation and goodwill.

3. Acquire Legal Counsel and Advice

Employment lawyers can help you navigate workplace issues by extending guidance and support in the form of invaluable expert legal advice. They are able to provide legal counsel on employment laws and tax implications, as well as advice on hiring practices, restructuring and redundancy, and avoiding discrimination claims and disciplinary issues. They can also ensure that employees and employers are aware of their legal rights and obligations. One of the most significant benefits of hiring an employment lawyer is that they can provide salient legal advice to minimize your liability as an employee or employer.

Employment Lawyers in Toronto

If your employment rights are being violated or you need legal counsel, consult the expert legal team at Lecker & Associates. Our results-oriented employment lawyers are skilled negotiators with a 35-year history of success. We specialize in employment law services such as job layoffs, workplace harassment and denied disability benefits for employees. Our dedicated legal team will advocate for your best interests and fiercely defend your rights.

Call us at 866-915-3303 or complete our online contact form to request a consultation to discuss the details of your case.

Testimonials from Employees Like You

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Conor Quenneville profile picture
Conor Quenneville
2026-09-08
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Mr. Whittingham has incredible to work with regarding my employment matter. I have been thoroughly impressed by his legal knowledge, insight, professionalism and strategy. He’s been instrumental in helping me navigate my issue. Nathan has helped me every step along the way while we traverse the case. Ultimately helping me find a tailored legal solution that best fits my case. I can’t recommend Nathan Whittingham enough along with the rest of the Lecker and Associates team. Thank you for helping me navigate this stressful legal situation.
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Faiyaz Ally profile picture
Faiyaz Ally
2026-08-21
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Matthew was very hands-on throughout which is exactly what I expect. The communication was prompt, and professional. Eslita was always available if I had questions or needed to reach Matthew. Highly recommend this team.
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XU ZIMING
2026-08-18
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I had the pleasure of speaking with Nathan Whittingham regarding my previous employment experience. He was very helpful and understanding of the issues I am facing, and he provided valuable advice on several related topics. I would be very pleased to have him represent me as my paralegal in the future.
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Michael Armstrong profile picture
Michael Armstrong
2026-08-18
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Fifteen years ago, through no fault of my own, I found myself unemployed and facing a severance package. Uncertain about what to do, what my rights were, and under pressure from my employer to sign the agreement, I knew I needed professional help. That’s when I found Lecker and Associates. Their guidance, expertise, and support made all the difference. The results far exceeded my expectations, and I was extremely grateful for the way they handled my case. Fifteen years later, I turned to Lecker and Associates once again and received the same high standard of service and dedication. Once again, the results far exceeded my expectations. Lecker and Associates have earned my utmost respect and comes with my highest recommendation. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who needs knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate legal representation.
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Lia L
2026-08-18
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I highly recommend Ian Hurley, Nathan Whittingham and the team at Lecker & Associates. After having a terrible experience with my previous counsel from another law firm, I approached Ian with recommendation from a friend. Ian and his team graciously agreed to take over my case. Ian demonstrated that he truly understood and cared about my situation and provided clear and reasonable advice. He and his team handled everything with patience, efficiency, and professionalism. They set realistic expectations and delivered. Within less than 3 months, Ian was able to reach an acceptable settlement when it took my previous lawyer over a year to get nowhere. I'm truly grateful to Ian, Nathan and his team for helping me move forward and finally put a difficult chapter behind me. I would recommend Lecker & Associates to anyone who's in need for a professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated legal team.
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Lidia Sharpe
2026-08-17
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I had an excellent experience with the team of Matthew Fisher and Eslita Ramkishun. They were always very clear & transparent in their communication and represented me very well with my case. I greatly appreciate their professionalism, expertise and always ready to answer my questions
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Kelly Mountain profile picture
Kelly Mountain
2026-08-17
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I had an excellent experience working with both Matthew and Eslita. They were consistently professional, knowledgeable, and highly skilled, making every step of the process feel clear and manageable. Their friendly approach and willingness to explain details thoroughly gave me confidence throughout my case. I’m truly grateful for their support and would highly recommend their services.
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Charlene Mathias McDoom
2026-08-17
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I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Matthew Fisher and Eslita Ramkishun. Matthew's extensive knowledge and experience combined with his strong client-centred approach resulted in a great outcome for me. Eslita's diligence is unmatched and she too was such a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.
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André Nichol
2026-08-17
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Being laid off and let go is never an easy process. The stress, uncertainty, and anxiety make decision making extremely difficult. Thank you to Jared and Jass at Lecker & Associates for explaining my options and employment law. It’s one thing to be an expert in your profession, it’s quite another to try to comprehend the intricacies of employment law when stressed. Thank you again to Jared and Jass for diligently negotiating my severance package.
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Mike L.
2026-08-13
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Both Jordan and Ashley were very helpful and courteous during a difficult situation. They were always prompt with responses and clear with communication. I recommend using Lecker & Associates

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