STUART RUDNER

Every client has a story. Whether it’s an individual navigating employment challenges, a family-run business striving for success, or a multinational corporation facing complex legal issues, I see each as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. As their Trusted Advisor, I am dedicated to guiding, educating, and advocating for my clients, working collaboratively to develop cost-effective strategies that align with their goals. When disputes arise, I like to advocate on their behalf in order to protect their rights.

I am not one of those lawyers that is ideologically married to one side. While many individuals have their rights trampled on, I have also seen employees take advantage of those same rights to the detriment of their employer. I realize that there is good and bad in every group, and I believe that being able to advise Employers and Employees makes me a better lawyer than only seeing matters from one perspective.

Since I have also been trained in Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques and act as a Mediator in Employment matters, I am able to see things from a third side: that of a neutral third party, working with those involved to achieve a reasonable resolution to their issues. I pride myself on providing objective, strategic advice to my clients, whichever “side” they are on.

Not that I ever set out to win awards, but I am proud of the recognition I have received, including being

• selected by my peers for inclusion in ‘The Best Lawyers in Canada’ in the area of Employment Law for the past nine years in a row;
• routinely named in Canadian HR Reporter’s Employment Lawyers Directory (a comprehensive directory of the top employment law and immigration law practitioners in Canada),
• recognized as one of Canada’s top Legal Social Media Influencers, and
• recognized as the only Legal Influencer in Canadian HR Law in the first Lexology Awards.

In addition, my Toronto area employment law firm, Rudner Law, was

• Selected as the Gold Winner for Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm in the 2023 annual Canadian HR Awards, presented by HRD Canada and supported by Canadian HR Reporter
• selected as the Silver Winner for Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm in the seventh annual Canadian HR Awards, presented by HRD Canada and supported by Canadian HR Reporter
• named one of the Top 3 Employment and Labour Boutiques in Canada in the Canadian HR Reporter’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
• Awarded the 2021 Business Achievement Award, Professional Services by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade
• Selected as a finalist for Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm in 2021 and 2022 Canadian HR Awards, presented by HRD Canada and supported by Canadian HR Reporter

I was also honoured that when the Human Resources Professionals Association sought to be part of the groundbreaking case of Keays v. Honda Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, they chose me to be their counsel. Going to the Supreme Court so early in my career was a thrill!

In addition to advising and advocating, I like educating. I chair and teach at conferences, and I am the founding Program Director of Osgoode Professional Development’s HR Law for HR Professionals course and the co-founding Program Director of their Advanced HR Law for HR Professionals course. I have written two books: You’re Fired! Just Cause for Dismissal in Canada and Ultimate Software’s Canadian HR Law, and contributed portions of several other texts, including Bullen & Leake & Jacob’s Canadian Precedents Of Pleadings and Canadian Employment Law Answers. I have also been part of several Editorial Advisory Boards. In addition to my firm blogs, I am the author of Thomson Reuters’ Canadian HR Law Blog, a contributor to the First Reference Talks blog, and the Labour and Employment Columnist for Law360. And I am flattered to be regularly contacted by the media for comment on matters relating to Employment Law.

As a firm and with my family, I support a number of worthwhile causes including 360Kids, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Family Education Centre, Lawyers International Food Enterprise (LIFE), and Volunteer Lawyers Network.

I also believe in giving back to the professional communities that I am part of. Since the start of my career, I have been actively involved in the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations and have held several leadership positions. I have also volunteered countless hours leading sessions on HR Law topics and serving on committees for the HRPA. Since our firm is based in York Region, I take particular pride in sponsoring the York Region Chapter of the HRPA and presenting an annual Employment Law update for our membership.

I am a father of two adults and I’m deeply committed to supporting their goals and ambitions and playing an active role in their lives. I strongly advocate for leveraging technology to enhance efficiency in both my personal and professional life, ensuring that I can balance the demands of my clients without sacrificing family time. I believe in utilizing technology to stay connected with my clients and to provide the highest level of service, even while on the go.

Ultimately, my greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that my clients trust me to guide them through challenging times and to advocate tirelessly on their behalf. My family will always be my top priority, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in both their lives and the lives of those I serve.

At Rudner Law, our approach is simple. We want to understand your circumstances, your concerns, and your goals. We will then ensure that you understand the legal regime along with your rights and obligations. Once that is done, we work with you to design a cost-effective, practical strategy that meets your needs. We want to be your Trusted Advisor.