Duntrune LLP is a team of Toronto employment lawyers who act for employers and employees alike, rather than limiting the practice to one side or the other.
Jason Beeho, the managing partner, has more than 20 years of employment law practice in Toronto. That career includes over 10 years of employment and labour work at a full-service firm and a term as managing partner of an employment law firm, and earlier work in the construction and building trades gives Beeho a practical feel for business problems. Beeho advises many employers across a range of industries and also helps executives, professionals and other senior people with their own employment matters.
Founding partner Matthew Dewar also advocates for both employers and employees, and earned an LL.B. at Queen's in 2004. Partner Israel Balter has worked as an employment and human rights counsel for over 30 years and is regularly retained by employers and employees. Associate Katherine Golobic, the firm's newest member, completed a J.D. at the University of Toronto in 2020, then articled and practised as an associate at a Toronto firm focused on labour and employment law before coming to Duntrune.
For many clients, Michelle Plourde is the first point of contact and the person who connects them with one of the firm's lawyers. The main office is Suite 420 at 141 Adelaide Street West in Toronto, with additional locations in London, Waterloo and Ottawa. Consultation requests can be made online, and the firm commits to getting back to people as soon as possible.
History
The firm takes its name from Duntrune Castle, a 12th century stronghold on Scotland's rugged coast that has given people shelter and sanctuary for hundreds of years. Duntrune aims to offer its own clients that same shelter and sanctuary, along with valuable protection once legal problems come up.
Its lawyers founded Duntrune LLP to pool their experience and expertise. They wanted a practice whose everyday work reflects the professionalism, integrity and client service they all value.
Duntrune advises employers ranging from national and international brands to mid-sized companies and start-ups. The work covers employment agreements that spell out incentive pay, termination entitlements and enforceable post-employment restrictions, plans to improve performance and other corrective steps, and terminations planned, papered and carried out for a single employee or a wider downsizing.
Safety duties reach well beyond manufacturing and heavy industry, and compliance now takes in anti-violence and anti-harassment obligations and, more and more, employee wellness. Duntrune helps clients with every aspect of compliance, with prevention strategies, with responding when a worker is injured and with defending OHSA prosecutions.
An employee whose pay and benefits, job title, reporting line or place of work has been substantially changed may be able to insist on a termination package. Duntrune also helps employees who have faced harassment, bullying or unlawful reprisal on the job.
Duntrune's lawyers have represented clients at every level of court in Ontario, at the Federal Court of Appeal, and before bodies including the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the WSIB and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. The firm advocates for clients in negotiation, at mediation and in court.
Matthew Dewar advises on workplace investigations and conducts them, looking into allegations of discrimination, harassment and other employee misconduct.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
How Duntrune LLP works
Because employment law is about people, Duntrune makes empathy part of how it works. It holds that vigorous advocacy and strong results don't have to come at the expense of civility. Acting for both sides is how the firm sets out to give clients the advantage of seeing their issues from either direction, anticipating what the other side is thinking and getting pragmatic, strategic advice.
Duntrune commits to responsible billing on every client account. In practice that means each client is kept updated on the steps being taken to advance the case, and a costly strategy isn't recommended until alternatives have been considered. The firm also relies on current, robust technology to keep its systems secure, stay connected and remain accessible and responsive to clients.
Milestones & recognition
Jason Beeho was called to the Ontario bar in 2001.
Matthew Dewar has spoken at the Law Society of Ontario's Employment Summit and its Employment Terminations Summit.
Matthew Dewar has been interviewed in Canadian Lawyer, Precedent Magazine and Maisonneuve Magazine.
In the community
Duntrune's lawyers write for the firm blog. Posts have included Jason Beeho on mandatory vaccination protocols in August 2021, Matt Dewar on why the Knicks' lawsuit against the Raptors might not be a big deal in September 2023, and Dewar on the rising age of new hires in January 2026.
Matthew Dewar presents on workplace harassment, cannabis in the workplace, avoiding constructive dismissals, human rights and other topics, and has appeared on Global News, CTV, CBC, CP24, Newstalk 1010 and Sirius XM.
Jason Beeho has written published articles and led many seminars on workplace law, and is frequently quoted by the media.
116 Albert Street, Suites 200 and 300, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G3
The neighbourhood
141 Adelaide Street West, home to the firm's main office, is in Toronto's financial district.
Frequently asked questions
Can Duntrune help my company manage its WSIB rate group, cost transfers and experience rating?
Duntrune helps employers deal with workplace injuries and respond to WSIB claims. The firm also works with clients on their ongoing dealings with the Board, covering rate group classification, cost transfers and experience rating.
I've been let go and incentive pay and stock options are in question. Can Duntrune help with my exit?
Yes. Whether incentive compensation is still owed, what happens to stock options and which reputational concerns need attention are all questions that come up when a job ends. Duntrune helps clients through every part of a termination and in pursuing a strong exit arrangement.
Will Duntrune work alongside our corporate counsel on the people side of an acquisition?
Duntrune works with a company's corporate counsel on personnel issues in a deal, from due diligence and the purchase-and-sale agreement through to post-closing integration and right-sizing.
Before I sign a new job offer, can Duntrune check what I still owe my current employer?
Yes. Duntrune reviews the paperwork for a new job, including any post-employment obligations owed to a current or former employer, flags pitfalls, answers questions and helps negotiate the terms.
Does Duntrune help employers meet AODA duties on top of their human rights obligations?
Yes. Human rights law sets out anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and accommodation obligations, and employers carry further responsibilities under the AODA. Duntrune helps with every part of compliance, from writing policies and training staff to answering human rights complaints.
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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 the firm’s own website. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗