The firm was founded in 1983 by Paul Cavalluzzo, Jim Hayes, and Elizabeth Shilton. Their objective was to create a distinctive firm that would be recognized for excellence and a commitment to social justice and equality, particularly in the field of labour law. Partners David Bloom and Bernie Hanson joined the firm shortly after its founding.
In 1988, Elizabeth McIntyre, of the feminist law firm Symes, Kitely, McIntyre, joined the firm, and Mary Cornish, founder of the feminist law firm Cornish Advocates, joined the firm in 1994. Their expertise in health law, labour law and human rights broadened the firm’s practice in those areas.
Although the firm has continued to grow and evolve, its commitment to the founders’ core values has remained the same. We have been counsel in some of the leading labour and employment cases in Canada, including constitutional cases recognizing that the Charter protects the right to bargain collectively and ground-breaking human rights cases addressing racial and gender-based discrimination, among many others.
Over the years, we have been joined by talented lawyers, growing in number and in breadth of experience. We represent trade unions, organizations, and individuals in both the public and private sector, and in every profession. Our clients include teachers, musicians, nurses, crown attorneys, doctors, engineers, pilots, athletes, health care professionals, judges, postal workers, machinists, airline workers, service workers, industrial workers, retail workers, pension plans, equality seeking groups and community organizations.
We strive to continue the tradition of excellence and client service established by our founding partners.