Elisa Scali
Automatically compiled listing. Details may contain errors.Partner at Gowling WLG
- Called to the bar
- 1997
- Languages
- English, French
About Elisa Scali
Elisa Scali helps employers stay on the right side of workplace law, from the first hire right through to the end of an employment relationship. A partner with Gowling WLG in Ottawa, Elisa heads the firm's Ottawa Employment, Labour & Equalities team and sits in its national ELE group. Clients run from locally owned businesses to national not-for-profit associations and multinational organizations, and the goal of the work is keeping them compliant while cutting down the legal risk that comes with having staff.
Both of Elisa's degrees come from the University of Ottawa, and the Ontario call followed in 1997. Employment work isn't the whole practice. Elisa also handles insurance defence, where most of the files are disability and life insurance claims.
When a workplace dispute can't be settled at the table, Elisa brings mediation experience to the search for a resolution, and has acted as counsel in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal. Advocacy before the Human Rights Tribunal and the Ministry of Labour is part of the job too. Employers facing a harassment, discrimination or other policy complaint can ask Elisa to investigate it and set out the findings in a clear, concise report. Elisa works in English and French.
Teaching rounds out the picture. Lawyers, law clerks and HR professionals have all heard Elisa speak on employment and insurance law, and Elisa has led seminars at the Bar Admission Course. Best Lawyers has recognized Elisa for Labour and Employment Law since 2015.
Practice areas
Advice for employers across the employment relationship
Elisa advises employers on hiring and background checks, employment contracts and incentive pay, and restrictive covenant, confidentiality and IP agreements. The work also covers absence and disability, human rights, workplace harassment and violence, policies, discipline and dismissal.
Workplace investigations
When misconduct is alleged, whether harassment, discrimination or another breach of policy, Elisa investigates for the employer and reports the results clearly and concisely.
Disability and life insurance defence
Alongside employment law, Elisa practises insurance defence, concentrating on disability and life insurance claims.
Mediation and litigation
Elisa helps clients resolve disputes through mediation and defends them in court, with appearances as counsel at every level of Ontario's courts, the Court of Appeal included.
Education & credentials
- LLB, University of Ottawa (1997)
- B.Soc.Sc, University of Ottawa (1992)
- Called to the Ontario bar (1997)
Awards & recognition
Publications & speaking
- Managing Employees on Extended Leaves: Navigating Contractual Limits and Employer Frustration, 2026 HRPA HR Law Conference (2026)
- Talks on insurance law and employment law, Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario Bar Association, Lorman Education Services, County of Carleton Annual Civil Litigation Conference, Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario
- Seminar leader, Bar Admission Course
Is this you?
Fix or remove this listing, or add a free listing badge
Something wrong with this listing? Tell us and we’ll hide it right away while we review your request, then correct it or take it down.
Add your free listing badge
Add the free LawOnline listing badge to your website. It tells visitors you’re listed in an independent Canadian lawyer directory and links back to this profile. Being listed isn’t a certification or an endorsement, and the badge doesn’t mean we’ve checked your credentials.
This listing was generated by AI from public sources in October 2026. It may contain errors, and we can’t guarantee it’s accurate or complete. Before you rely on anything here, verify it on their firm’s website. Confirm Elisa Scali’s licence and standing in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗
How this data is compiled and checked · Correct or remove this listing