Lawyer Profile
Michael F. Horvat
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Michael guides his clients through their labour and employment law issues by providing them with practical solutions that balance their workplace legal needs with the organization’s long-term goals. Michael regularly provides strategic advice for managing human resources, helping his clients navigate their obligations and provides remedies to avoid workplace conflict. Michael provides counsel for developing policies and procedures to help his clients manage their workplace and, when necessary, litigate to defend his clients' interests.
Michael is a member of the firm's Workplace Law Group. His practice focuses on all aspects of labour and employment law in both the federal and provincial jurisdictions. He advises employers in a number of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, retail, electrical distribution, construction and financial services, on various matters, including employment standards, human rights, discipline, discharge, union certification, grievances, wrongful dismissal, executive employment matters and transactions, as well as general labour and employment law issues.
Michael represents employers before the courts and administrative tribunals, such as the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Grievance Settlement Board, the Canadian Railway Office of Arbitration, the Ontario Employment Standards Branch, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and in grievance arbitration and mediation.
Represented an investment management firm in its acquisition of retail assets associated with Canadian retail brands as part of a restructuring matter.
Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, a leading owner-operator of distinctive urban workspace in Canada’s major cities, in the acquisition from Westbank of a 90% ownership interest in 400 West Georgia Street in Vancouver, and an additional 45% ownership interest in 19 Duncan Street in Toronto (increasing Allied’s ownership interest to 95%). The transaction was based on an aggregate property value of $920.7 million.
Advised Phillips Foods Inc., a U.S.-based global processor and distributor of branded seafood products, in the acquisition of the assets of South Shore Seafoods Group of Companies, a Canadian seafood processor and distributor.
Represented a leading global transportation industry manufacturer and supplier as Canadian counsel in its purchase of certain assets of a cross-border privately-owned commercial vehicle, bus and trailer manufacturing business.
Represented a U.S. private equity firm as Canadian counsel in connection with its acquisition of a Canadian software company focused on streamlining operations and improving operational efficiency in the manufacturing industry.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1999 (ON)