Workplace disruptions can be challenging and stressful. At Progressive Barristers, we take a proactive and efficient approach to resolving employment-related issues. Whether you are entering into an employment relationship, addressing challenges during its course, or navigating its termination, we provide expert counsel and timely, cost-effective solutions tailored to your unique needs.

We assist employees and employers in both unionized and non-unionized environments with the full spectrum of workplace-related matters, including:

• Employment Contracts • Workplace Discipline • Terminations and Dismissals • Severance Packages • Human Rights and Accommodation • Workplace Harassment, Bullying, and Violence • Wrongful and Constructive Dismissal • Unjust Dismissal Complaints under the Canada Labour Code • Employee Classification (independent contractor, dependent contractor, or employee) • Choice of Forum (Superior Court, Small Claims Court, Human Rights Tribunal, Labour Arbitration, WSIB) • Confidentiality, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Clauses • Duty of Fair Representation • Workplace Policy Audits • Workplace Investigations • Appeals and Judicial Reviews

Workplace misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, and bullying, can seriously impact employees, morale, and productivity. Proactively addressing allegations not only supports affected employees but also helps employers mitigate liability and legal costs.

We approach workplace investigations with a compassionate rights-and-trauma informed approach, ensuring procedural fairness and minimizing re-traumatization risks. Our open-minded, fact-driven process respects the voices of all involved and carefully evaluates evidence and credibility.

Our findings are delivered in timely, concise, and clearly-worded reports, accompanied by practical recommendations. These recommendations empower employers to resolve immediate issues and effect workplace restoration moving forward.

At Progressive Barristers, we bring a deep commitment and extensive experience to our human rights practice. We provide expert guidance on rights and obligations related to discrimination, accommodation, sexual harassment, and reprisal in the workplace. Our expertise extends to a variety of contexts, including discrimination in services, education, union membership, policing, rental housing, and condominiums.

We have successfully litigated and resolved human rights matters under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

We also have significant experience in appeals and judicial reviews, providing expert advocacy in complex human rights matters.

We understand that rental housing is more than just a property—it is a home and a community. This perspective informs our proactive approach to residential tenancy matters, recognizing the profound impact that housing disputes and legal decisions can have on both tenants and landlords.

With over two decades of experience, our professionals possess the expertise to efficiently assess the merits of your case and ensure your rights are protected. We have a proven track record of representing clients in the full range of disputes before the Landlord and Tenant Board and successfully challenging or defending Board decisions before the Divisional Court.

Shibil has represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada, and before various administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Before founding Progressive Barristers, Shibil practiced as a litigator at a downtown Toronto community legal clinic, serving some of the city’s most marginalized communities. There, he gained extensive experience in human rights, employment, administrative, and residential tenancies law. He subsequently practiced exclusively in human rights law at an independent government agency.

Shibil's contributions extend internationally, having worked in the justice sector abroad to help establish a legal aid clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, in partnership with the International Development Law Organization. He has also been a Fellow at the Gordon Foundation and the Centre for the Critical Study of Power and Politics at Trent University.

Shibil earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Warwick in the UK and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Human Rights Law from the University of Toronto.

A strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Shibil is a member of the Equity Advisory Group that advises the Law Society of Ontario. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Advocates’ Society, the Association of Human Rights Lawyers, Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights, the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association, and the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers.

Sana has represented clients before the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and Small Claims Court. Sana also enhances the firm’s services by providing research and case management support to its lawyers.

Before joining Progressive Barristers, Sana worked at a boutique law firm specializing in personal injury law, gaining valuable experience in client advocacy and case preparation.

Sana earned her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto and a Paralegal Diploma from Seneca College. She also holds advanced certifications in Project Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution, bringing additional skills to her work.