Powell Barristers
1 lawyer · City of Toronto, Simcoe County
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 478 handling Employment & Labour Law.
About Powell Barristers
Powell Barristers is a Toronto employment law firm led by Michael Lane Powell, who was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980. Powell spent the first five years as an associate at Rovet & Associates, a Toronto labour law firm, before co-founding Griffiths & Powell in North York in 1985. Powell-Weir followed in April 2002, a firm built specifically around employment law and labour relations, and the practice took its current name, Powell Barristers, in August 2018.
The firm acts for both employees and employers, describing its approach as having worked both sides of the fence in wrongful dismissal, severance negotiations, employment contracts, and workplace human rights disputes. It also takes on Canada Labour Code complaints for federally regulated workers, along with employment law litigation and mediation. Powell has appeared as counsel before Labour Arbitration Boards, the Ontario and Canada Labour Relations Boards, the Superior Court of Justice, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Powell's legal education spans two schools: a B.A. from Victoria College at the University of Toronto in 1975 and an LL.B. from McGill University's law school in 1978, where Powell co-directed the McGill Legal Aid Clinic in Montreal, providing legal services in English and French.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 and joined Rovet & Associates, a Toronto labour law firm, as an associate.
- Co-founded Griffiths & Powell in North York, Ontario in 1985.
- Co-founded Powell-Weir in April 2002, a firm built specifically around employment law and labour relations.
- Took the current name, Powell Barristers, in August 2018.
- Has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and the Superior Court of Justice.
- Prepared 'A Guide to Human Rights Legislation in Ontario' as a legal researcher for the Urban Alliance on Race Relations in 1977.
In the community
- Served as counsel to the Canadian Amateur Rowing Association.
- Served as counsel to the Ontario Tae Kwon Do Association.
- Co-directed the McGill Legal Aid Clinic in Montreal, providing legal services in English and French.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleWho handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
The firm's Toronto office is in University Centre at 393 University Avenue, a downtown office tower. The building's Cushman & Wakefield leasing listing describes it as a short walk from the St. Patrick subway station, within walking distance of the Eaton Centre and Atrium on Bay, and with easy access to City Hall, Queen's Park, and the financial district.
The firm's other address, 1918 Confederation Drive in Severn, Ontario, is listed as the office it prefers for correspondence. Severn is a rural township in Simcoe County, wedged between Lake Couchiching and the Severn River on the Trent-Severn Waterway, and it's a considerable distance from the downtown Toronto tower, closer in character to cottage country than to the financial district.
Frequently asked questions
- I think I was let go without proper notice or severance. Can Powell Barristers help?
- Yes. Wrongful dismissal and severance are core to the firm's practice, and it acts for employees pursuing notice or severance pay after a termination.
- I'm an employer and need help with a dismissal or an employment contract. Does the firm act for employers too?
- Yes. Powell Barristers represents both employees and employers, describing its approach as having worked both sides of the fence in wrongful dismissal, severance, and employment contract matters.
- I work for a federally regulated employer. Can the firm help with a Canada Labour Code complaint?
- Yes, the firm's practice includes Canada Labour Code complaints in addition to Ontario employment standards matters.
- I think I faced discrimination at work. Does Powell Barristers handle workplace human rights issues?
- Yes, workplace human rights disputes are one of the firm's stated practice areas, alongside wrongful dismissal, severance, and employment contracts.
- How long has Michael Powell practised employment law?
- Powell was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 and has practised in employment law and labour relations since, working at Rovet & Associates before co-founding Griffiths & Powell in 1985 and later Powell-Weir in 2002.
- Where is Powell Barristers located?
- The firm's Toronto office is at University Centre, Suite 2000, 393 University Avenue. Its Severn office at 1918 Confederation Drive is the address it lists as preferred for correspondence.
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Legal AidListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗