Ontario directory

Administrative & Regulatory Law Firms in Waterloo Region, Ontario

21 law firms.

What does an administrative lawyer in Waterloo Region do?

An administrative lawyer in Waterloo Region helps people and organizations deal with government agencies and tribunals, the bodies that decide things like tenancies, professional licences, benefits, and regulatory compliance. Much of this work happens before a tribunal rather than in a courtroom, and many of those tribunals sit under Tribunals Ontario. When a decision has to be challenged in court, the case usually goes to the Superior Court of Justice at the Waterloo Region Courthouse on Frederick Street in Kitchener (85 Frederick Street).

A lawyer might prepare a client for a hearing, file or respond to applications, or argue that a regulator got the law wrong. If you've received a decision you think is unfair, it's worth getting advice early, since many of these processes run on tight timelines.

Which tribunals hear administrative matters in Ontario?

Most administrative disputes are decided by a specialized tribunal, not a judge, and several of the busiest sit under Tribunals Ontario. The Landlord and Tenant Board handles residential tenancy disputes between landlords and tenants across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario hears claims of discrimination in areas such as housing, work, and services. The Licence Appeal Tribunal decides appeals about licences and, through its accident benefits service, disputes over motor vehicle insurance benefits.

Each tribunal has its own rules, forms, and filing deadlines, and hearings are often held by video or phone. A lawyer who appears before them regularly knows how a given tribunal weighs evidence and what it expects in writing.

How do you challenge a tribunal or workplace decision?

Workplace-injury claims follow a separate path. They run through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and if you disagree with a WSIB decision you can appeal it to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, the final level of appeal.

For most other tribunal decisions, the route to court is judicial review, where a judge decides whether the decision was reasonable and fairly made rather than re-arguing the whole case. It's heard by the Divisional Court, a branch of the Superior Court of Justice, and the application generally has to be filed within 30 days. That window is short, so talk to a lawyer quickly.

How do you choose an administrative law firm in Waterloo Region?

Start with a firm that has handled your specific kind of matter, whether that's a tenancy dispute, a human rights claim, a licensing appeal, a WSIB file, or a judicial review. Ask which lawyer would run your file, how often they appear before the tribunal involved, and how they charge. A firm rooted in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge will also know the local tribunal and court staff.

Bring the decision or notice you received, along with any deadline stamped on it, to the first meeting. You can confirm any lawyer's standing on the Law Society of Ontario directory. Browse the administrative & regulatory law firms in Waterloo Region below.

Biesbroek Law

Est. 2019

Biesbroek Law is a sole-practitioner practice based in Kitchener, Ontario, focused on criminal, quasi-criminal, and administrative law. Quasi-criminal work covers regulatory, bylaw, and traffic offences, and the admin…

Criminal DefenceCriminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawLandlord & TenantLandlord & Tenant

BKK Law

1 lawyer

BKK Law is a personal injury and disability law firm in Waterloo, Ontario, founded by lawyer Bozena Kordasiewicz. It represents people injured in car accidents, pedestrian and public transit accidents, slip and falls,…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory Law

Cohen Highley LLP

34 lawyers · Est. 1974

Cohen Highley LLP is a full-service law firm founded in London, Ontario in 1974. It practises across family law, personal injury, business law, real estate, wills and estates, employment, multi-residential housing and…

Family LawFamily LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Dhanoa Law

1 lawyer

Dhanoa Law is a full-service solo practice in Kitchener, Ontario, led by principal lawyer Invir Dhanoa. It handles real estate, wills and estates, municipal law, family law, and corporate and commercial matters, and p…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawFamily LawFamily Law

Diamond & Diamond Lawyers LLP is a national personal injury firm headquartered in Toronto, with offices across Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Its main focus is personal injury and accident claims,…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Duncan, Linton LLP

15 lawyers · Est. 1860

Duncan, Linton LLP is a Kitchener-Waterloo firm established in 1860, and it's one of the oldest independent law firms in the region. Its roughly 15 lawyers handle business and general legal work for clients in Kitchen…

Bankruptcy & InsolvencyBankruptcy & InsolvencyReal Estate LawReal Estate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Goad and Goad LLP

4 lawyers · Est. 1969

Goad and Goad LLP is a general practice firm in Cambridge, Ontario, with roots in the community since 1969. Barristers, solicitors and notaries public, they act for individuals, businesses, government entities, and no…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Gowling WLG

515 lawyers

Gowling WLG is an international law firm with more than 1,500 legal professionals across seven countries. Its Canadian practice, including a Toronto office at First Canadian Place, advises on business law, litigation,…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionClass ActionsClass Actions

Harris Law

6 lawyers

Harris Law is a personal injury firm in downtown Kitchener, Ontario, two blocks from the Waterloo Regional Courthouse. It represents injured clients across Ontario, including cross-border and out-of-province claims, i…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryInsurance LawInsurance LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory Law

Kelly & Co.

2 lawyers

Kelly & Co., Barristers and Solicitors is a full-service law firm based in Waterloo Region, Southern Ontario. Its practice spans civil litigation, family law, business and commercial law, employment, personal injury, …

Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFamily LawFamily LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour Law

Khela Law Professional Corporation is a criminal defence firm in Cambridge, Ontario, serving the Tri-Cities region and the rest of the province. It handles bail hearings, impaired driving, assault, weapons, drug and p…

Criminal DefenceCriminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory Law

Lerners LLP

6 lawyers · Est. 1929

Lerners LLP is a full-service Ontario law firm founded in 1929 by Mayer Lerner. It has more than 140 lawyers across four offices in London, Toronto, the Waterloo Region, and Strathroy, handling everything from day-to-…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryFamily LawFamily LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionInsurance LawInsurance Law

Matlow, Miller, Cummins, Thrasher LLP

9 lawyers · Est. 1939

Matlow, Miller, Cummins, Thrasher LLP is a full-service Cambridge firm that's practised throughout Southwestern Ontario since 1939. Its lawyers and paralegals cover a broad range of areas, including real estate, wills…

Construction LawConstruction LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawFamily LawFamily LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

McCague Borlack LLP

48 lawyers · Est. 1994

McCague Borlack LLP is a civil litigation firm founded in 1994, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener, Barrie, and London. It focuses on insurance defence and insurance coverage litigation, and its lawyers also r…

Insurance LawInsurance LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

McSevney Chaves LLP is a two-lawyer firm in Cambridge, run by partners Gord McSevney and Cindy Chaves. It focuses on real estate, corporate law, and wills and estates, and it also takes on family law and collaborative…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawFamily LawFamily Law

Miller Thomson LLP

28 lawyers

Miller Thomson LLP is a national, full-service business law firm with offices across Canada. Its lawyers work in corporate and commercial law, litigation, real estate, construction, insurance, tax, labour and employme…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionConstruction LawConstruction LawInsurance LawInsurance Law

Scholten Defence

1 lawyer

Scholten Defence (formerly Cowan Law Chambers) is a criminal defence firm based in Kitchener, Ontario, with additional offices in Toronto, Grey County and Huron County. The firm handles assault, drug, firearms, homici…

Criminal DefenceCriminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawLegal aidLegal Aid

Shuh Cline & Grossman LLP

3 lawyers · Est. 1976

Shuh Cline & Grossman LLP is a Kitchener, Ontario firm established in 1976. It offers a broad range of services, including litigation, accident and personal injury claims, corporate and commercial law, immigration, ad…

Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawImmigration LawImmigration Law

SorbaraLaw

41 lawyers · Est. 1980

SorbaraLaw is a full-service regional firm with 40+ lawyers across offices in Waterloo, Guelph, Fergus and Markham, serving individuals, businesses, institutions and governmental bodies across Ontario. Its practice sp…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawImmigration LawImmigration LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour Law

SV Law

44 lawyers · Est. 1960

SV Law is a full-service firm headquartered in Guelph, with additional offices in Elora and the Waterloo Region. Formerly SmithValeriote Law Firm, it traces its roots to the 1960s and now has more than forty lawyers. …

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawConstruction LawConstruction LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour Law

Unified LLP

19 lawyers

Unified LLP is a Toronto law firm, with an additional office in Waterloo Region, practicing family law, employment and labour law, disability law, and property and commerce law. Its lawyers represent individuals, unio…

Family LawFamily LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryReal Estate LawReal Estate Law