Lawyer Profile

Deborah A. Howden

Toronto, Ontario

Deborah A. Howden

Overview

Deborah is a partner at Shibley Righton LLP in Toronto. She maintains a diverse practice that spans employment law, condominium law and civil litigation. Her experience ranges from offering specialized, strategic advice to representing clients in complex multi-party litigation.

Deborah routinely advises employers on matters relating to employment and human rights law, including in relation to workplace policies and agreements, wrongful dismissal, occupational health and safety, harassment, accommodation, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

As part of her litigation practice, Deborah has successfully represented clients at mediation, arbitration, and trial. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, and the Court of Appeal, as well as before numerous administrative tribunals such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (Tribunal and Appeals), the Ontario Municipal Board, the Condominium Authority Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Deborah is also a trusted advisor to condominium boards, offering guidance on a wide range of governance and enforcement matters. Her practice encompasses all aspects of condominium law. Deborah is actively involved in the condominium community. She currently sits on the legislative committee of the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI). She regularly teaches condominium law to directors through CCI and in-house at property management companies. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Deborah has also contributed articles to publications, newspapers and trade magazines, and has served as a legal commentator on television numerous times.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI), the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO), the Advocates’ Society, the Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers’ Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Society for Human Resource Professionals, and Canadian Defence Lawyers.

Born and raised in Montreal, Deborah received her primary education in the French school system and is fluently bilingual in French and English.

Workplace Investigations

Deborah is a certified workplace investigator and is regularly retained to conduct fair and impartial investigations into allegations of workplace misconduct, including harassment and discrimination. She is pleased to offer these services in either English or French.

Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • Condominium Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Education Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1999 (ON)