Formative Law
2 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 478 handling Employment & Labour Law.
About Formative Law
Formative Law is a Toronto based association of lawyers that has provided legal services for almost two decades. Its practice today is focused on conducting workplace investigations and delivering related training in employment, labour, and human rights matters. The firm's own team page names its earlier identity as Mushtaq Persaud LLP, before it became Formative Law. The firm now practices solely in workplace investigations and training and does not act as counsel in employment or human rights litigation, a structure the firm says is meant to preserve its neutrality and independence when investigating a workplace complaint.
The firm's investigators have worked with public sector organizations, including law enforcement, border and security services, and federal government departments, along with private sector clients such as financial institutions, transit authorities, and healthcare organizations. Co-founder Amer Mushtaq is recognized by the Government of Canada as a Senior Workplace Investigator, qualified to conduct investigations across all three recognized streams: workplace harassment, workplace violence, and wrongdoing. The firm works from an office on Adelaide Street West in downtown Toronto and lists communities across the Greater Toronto Area, along with Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and London, among the areas it serves.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm's own Our Team page identifies its earlier name as Mushtaq Persaud LLP, before it operated as Formative Law.
- The firm now practices solely in workplace investigations and training and no longer acts as counsel in employment or human rights litigation.
- Co-founder Amer Mushtaq is recognized by the Government of Canada as a Senior Workplace Investigator, qualified to conduct investigations across all three recognized streams: workplace harassment, workplace violence, and wrongdoing.
- Co-founder Natasha Persaud has been Adjunct Faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School since 2011 and Review Counsel at the Community and Legal Aid Services Program since 2011, and earlier served as a Law Professor at Southwest University in Chongqing, China, from 2006 to 2007.
In the community
- Since 2016, the firm has run a YouTube channel offering free legal lectures aimed at self represented litigants, and as of its self represent page had posted more than 155 lectures with over 2,800 subscribers and more than 313,000 views.
- Co-founder Natasha Persaud serves on the Advisory Council of CAIR-Canada and is a member of Women's Health in Women's Hands.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2) 2 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Formative Law's office is on Adelaide Street West in downtown Toronto. Rather than anchoring its work to a single local courthouse, the firm builds its practice around conducting workplace investigations for organizations across Ontario, from law enforcement and federal agencies to financial institutions and healthcare providers. That structure makes the Toronto office more of a base for province wide mandates than a walk-in storefront practice, and the firm's own site lists client communities stretching from Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo to London and the Greater Toronto Area.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Formative Law represent employees or employers in a workplace dispute?
- No. Formative Law does not act as counsel in employment or human rights litigation. Its role is limited to conducting independent, third-party workplace investigations and related training, which the firm says keeps its work neutral and objective.
- What kinds of workplace investigations does Formative Law conduct?
- The firm has conducted independent investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, misconduct, and abuse of authority, ranging from straightforward matters to complex, systemic organizational issues, and in some cases has provided recommendations for organizational change.
- What kinds of organizations hire Formative Law?
- Both public sector bodies, including law enforcement, border and security services, defence, revenue and regulatory agencies, and federal government departments, and private sector organizations such as financial institutions, transit authorities, healthcare providers, and non-profits.
- Is Amer Mushtaq a qualified workplace investigator?
- Amer Mushtaq is recognized by the Government of Canada as a Senior Workplace Investigator, qualified to conduct investigations across all three recognized streams: workplace harassment, workplace violence, and wrongdoing.
- Can Formative Law help someone who is representing themselves in court?
- Yes. The firm offers self-represented litigants pre-litigation case assessments, help choosing the right court or tribunal, drafting or review of court documents, coaching for negotiation or trial, and unbundled help with a specific step in a case.
- Where is Formative Law located and how do I reach the firm?
- The firm's office is at 334 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301, in downtown Toronto. It can be reached by phone at 416-542-1616 or by email through the contact details listed on its website.
Where to find them
334 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M5V 0M1 · 416-542-1616
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