Pat Forte examines client issues through the lens of risk. Pat provides insightful advice and skilled advocacy in the following core areas:

Employment law: representing non-union employers in all aspects of the employment relationship with a view to mitigate organizational liability, including hiring, discipline, disability / leave of absence management, performance management, human rights and termination. She is frequently engaged to prepare hire letters, executive contracts, employee manuals and workplace policies, and to advise about employment standards and other legislative compliance, workplace privacy, restructuring, workplace investigations as well as litigation and appellant work. Pat acts on cases of wrongful dismissal, discrimination, constructive dismissal, and restrictive covenants.

Insurance: providing advocacy in the defence of disability, life, casualty and property claims, and advisory services such as coverage and claims opinions, policy interpretation and drafting, drafting service agreements, and regulatory compliance.

Privacy and information protection: advising clients about rights and obligations under the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and assessing claims arising from the civil tort of breach of privacy.

Legal risk management: leveraging her Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation offering legal risk audits, risk management planning, training, and education. Pat leverages her knowledge of the law and emerging legal issues to help clients to safeguard against individual and business risks, losses, and hazards.

Pat’s litigation experience includes court appearances at all levels of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal, and with the Ministry of Labour, Ontario Labour Relations Board and Human Rights Tribunal. She provides training and speaks on topics aligned with her practice areas.