Agency Members Biographies

HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO

JOACHIM, MARION KAYE
Kaye Joachim earned her Master of Laws degree in Labour and Human Rights Law from the University of Toronto and was called to the Bar in 1987. Previously, Ms. Joachim was Vice-Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, an Arbitrator and Mediator with the Ontario Financial Services Commission, and a member of the Academic Appeals Board of the University of Toronto. She has acted as In-House Counsel to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal and to the Ontario Human Rights Commission. In 2000, Ms. Joachim joined the Faculty of Law of the University of Toronto as Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, responsible for the graduate law program.

MUIR, DAVID
David Muir has extensive adjudicative experience, having served with the Financial Services Commission, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Office of Adjudication, where he was Adjudicator and Mediator of personal injury, occupational health and safety and other employment law disputes. Mr. Muir also worked as a Policy Advisor and Prosecutor with the Ontario Ministry of Labour. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen's University and a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

BHATTACHARJEE, KENNETH
Ken Bhattacharjee is as a Human Rights Officer with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Mr. Bhattacharjee has extensive international human rights advocacy experience from his work with ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression in the United Kingdom and the Coordinating Committee of Human Rights Organizations in Thailand. He is the author and co-author of numerous reports and articles on discrimination, freedom of expression and human rights systems. Mr. Bhattacharjee's community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors of the South Asian Legal Clinic and volunteering with the Canadian Lawyers Association for International Human Rights, Asian Heritage Month Group and Asian Network for Free Elections.

COOK, BRIAN L.
Brian Cook served as an Investigator at the Office of the Ombudsman. Mr. Cook has extensive adjudicative experience having served as a member representative of workers and as Vice-Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. As Vice-Chair, Mr. Cook had significant exposure to issues involving disability and accommodation. He has designed and delivered training programs for the staff of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and has been a member of the Mandatory Mediation Program since it was established in 1999. Mr. Cook holds a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

PRICE, SHERI
Sheri Price has been in private practice since 1996, working primarily on behalf of trade unions and employees in the areas of labour, human rights and employment law. Ms. Price has appeared before numerous administrative tribunals. Her community involvement includes volunteering for the Open Door Centre and St. Christopher House. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Toronto.

SENGUPTA, JAYASHREE (JAY)
Jay Sengupta has worked extensively in Ontario's community legal clinic system, providing advice and representation to members of low-income communities on matters involving social assistance, housing, criminal injuries compensation, immigration, workers' compensation, human rights, and employment law. Ms. Sengupta has also engaged in community development, law reform and public legal education initiatives on behalf of the communities for whom she has worked. She has served on the boards of the Hamilton Social Planning and Research Council and the Threshold School of Building. Ms. Sengupta holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

TRUEMNER, MARY
Mary Truemner has twenty years of experience practicing administrative and human rights law. Ms. Truemner was acting Director of Legal Services at the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario. Previously, she served as Academic Director with Parkdale Community Legal Services, Professor with Osgoode Hall Law School and Attorney with the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation. Ms. Truemner gained international human rights experience in Nicaragua and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa.

WHIST, ERIC
Eric Whist has extensive experience with the Ontario's human rights system. From 1979 to 1991, Mr. Whist worked with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Ontario Race Relations Directorate in a variety of capacities including Race Relations Officer and Regional Manager. He then joined the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as a Manager working on strategies to improve the quality of life in public housing communities. Mr. Whist was a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board, most recently serving as the acting Assistant Deputy Chair of the Board's Immigration Appeal Division.

WHYTE, ALAN
Alan Whyte has twenty-six years of experience practicing law. Mr. Whyte was a partner at Hicks, Morley, Hamilton, Stewart, Storie Law Firm in Kingston, acting on behalf of employers. He has made appearances before many tribunals, including the Human Rights Commission, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and many labour arbitrators and courts at different levels. Mr. Whyte holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen's University.

OVEREND, NAOMI CAMPBELL
Naomi Overend's professional experience includes serving as Discipline Counsel with the Law Society of Upper Canada and Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Ms. Overend has litigated and mediated numerous human rights complaints before the courts and the Law Society of Upper Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto.

BHABHA, FAISAL
Faisal Bhabha was an Attorney with a focus on human rights and constitutional law, having counselled and represented numerous public interest organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGO). In addition, Mr. Bhabha was an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he taught discrimination law. He has served as a member of the Equity Advisory Group of the Law Society of Upper Canada and has volunteered with an international development organization. Mr. Bhabha has lectured on human rights and constitutional law, and has published law review articles on equality, access to justice, multiculturalism and national security policy.

FLAHERTY, MICHELLE
Michelle Flaherty has extensive experience in administrative, labour, human rights and employment law and has represented both employers and employees. From 1999 until 2000, Ms. Flaherty articled as a Law Clerk to Madame Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé of the Supreme Court of Canada. She also taught for a number of years at the University of Ottawa in the areas of equality, human rights and labour law. Her community involvement includes volunteering for several organizations in the Ottawa area. Ms. Flaherty is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa.

RENTON, ALISON
Alison Renton served as Legal Counsel with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario in the areas of labour and employment law. Her practice focused on a variety of issues including discrimination, harassment, discharge and discipline. Ms. Renton has extensive experience before various administrative tribunals, including the Grievance Settlement Board and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor.

KEENE, JUDITH ANNE
Judith Keene was Director of the Clinic Resource Office of Legal Aid Ontario, where she provided legal advice and litigation support to Community Legal Clinics and Student Legal Aid Societies. Ms. Keene has volunteered with a number of organizations including the Joint Action Committee on Gender Equity, Metropolitan Toronto Council on Race Relations and Policing, Ontario Pro Bono Initiative Round Table, Alliance for Employment Equity, and the Discretionary Justice and Social Welfare Working Group. She also served as member and Co-Chair of the Treasurer's Equity Advisory Committee of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and Chair of the Civil Liberties Section of the Ontario Bar Association.

WRIGHT, DAVID A.
From 2001 to 2007, David A. Wright practiced civil litigation and labour, administrative and human rights law at a Toronto law firm. In 2002, Mr. Wright served as Adjunct Professor with Osgoode Hall Law School, where he taught administrative law. He is a frequent speaker and the author of several law journal articles on administrative, labour, and constitutional law. Mr. Wright is past Chair of the Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Section of the Ontario Bar Association. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Civil Law degree from McGill University and a Master of Laws from New York University, USA.

REAUME, LESLIE
Leslie Reaume specializes in human rights law and alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Reaume has experience litigating cases before a variety of administrative tribunals and every level of the Canadian courts including provincial appeal courts, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. For the past six years, she has acted as Counsel to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Ms. Reaume has also taught at the University of Western Ontario and at Queen's University in the areas of women's equality rights and alternative dispute resolution. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario.

EYOLFSON, BRIAN
Brian Eyolfson served as Senior Staff Lawyer with Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Appeals Officer with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. Mr. Eyolfson was a member and Co-Chair of the Rotiio> taties, an Aboriginal advisory group to the Law Society of Upper Canada. He has been an Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Policy since 2000, and has taught human rights law and practice to Ontario community legal clinics across the province.

BRENNENSTUHL, KEITH
Keith Brennenstuhl practiced corporate, entertainment and labour law before his appointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board in 2002. Mr. Brennenstuhl remained with the Board until 2007, serving as a Senior Adjudicator, Adjudicator Team Leader and acting Assistant Deputy Chair. In 2007, Mr. Brennenstuhl was appointed Vice-Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. His community work has earned him the Outstanding Canadian Foundation Award, and two citations from the Canadian Red Cross for commitment and voluntary service to assist those who are most vulnerable in the community. Mr. Brennenstuhl is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1976.

CHADHA, ENA
Ena Chadha was Director of Litigation with the Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH) Disability Law Centre from 2000 to 2007. Ms. Chadha's litigation background has involved human rights challenges before various administrative tribunals and trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Ms. Chadha is actively involved in legal education and writes on equality rights issues. She is a graduate of the College of Law of the University of Saskatchewan, holds a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.

HART, MARK
Mark Hart has practiced human rights, employment and labour law for many years. Mr. Hart's practice has included acting as an external neutral for employers and other organizations, conducting internal investigations and mediations on discrimination and harassment issues. Mr. Hart has served as Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Employment Equity Commission and all levels of the Courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has lectured extensively on human rights and employment equity issues, and has taught discrimination law at Osgoode Hall Law School, the Ontario Law Society Bar Admission Course, and at Ryerson Polytechnic University.

LIANG, SHERRY
Sherry Liang served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board from 1991 to 1997. Following her tenure, Ms. Liang established an arbitration and mediation practice and served as Legal Counsel and Appeals Adjudicator with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. From 2004 to 2006, she served as Expert Advisor to the Federal Labour Standards Review reporting to the federal Minister of Labour. Ms. Liang is Co-Chair of the University of Toronto's Academic Discipline Tribunal and serves on the board of a non-profit agency, providing services to homeless and marginalized women in Toronto.

MARTIN, KATHLEEN
Kathleen Martin has, until recently, maintained a practice as a Mediator and Arbitrator of employment and labour disputes. Prior to this, Ms. Martin was a partner in a law firm for many years, where she practiced labour, employment and human rights law. She was Co-Chair of the 2007 Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Continuing Legal Education session: Human Rights and Labour Law: New Challenges and New Directions. She is an Executive Member of the OBA Labour Section and a member of the OBA Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Section.

SCOTT, JENNIFER A.
Jennifer Scott has served as Legal Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Director of Litigation with the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund. In 1999, Ms. Scott opened her own legal practice specializing in administrative law. In private practice, she acted for the Law Society of Upper Canada and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in professional misconduct cases, represented the Ontario and Canadian Human Rights Commissions before their respective human rights tribunals, and represented public interest organizations in coroners' inquests. In addition, Ms. Scott served as independent Legal Counsel to the Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal and to the Child and Family Services Review Board. She is a member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and Vice-Chair of the Child and Family Services Review Board.

MCKELLAR, MARY ANNE
Mary Anne McKellar graduated from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law with a Bachelor of Laws degree. After her call to the Bar in 1987, she practiced law in Toronto with Koskie Minsky LLP, as an Associate serving as Director of Research until 1990. Ms. McKellar is a Vice-Chair with the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal and with the Board of Inquiry. Previously, she served as a Solicitor with the Pay Equity Hearing Tribunal.

DIMOVSKI, JIM
Jim Dimovski holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University. Mr. Dimovski serves as a Vice-Chair of the Workplace Safety Insurance Appeals Tribunal and a member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

HANDELMAN, MARK
Mark Handelman was called to the Bar in 1978. Mr. Handelman practiced law, including civil litigation and criminal defense and prosecution in London, Ontario until 2001. He is one of the first Ontarian's to become a member of the Official Guardian Child Representation Program. Mr. Handelman has served his community as member and Vice-Chair of the Consent and Capacity Board, President of the London Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Board of the Canadian Council for Better Business Bureau. While attending law school in Windsor, Mr. Handelman helped establish Hiatus House, which is an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, and has helped to establish Crime Stoppers of London. Mr. Handelman earned his Master of Health Sciences degree in Bioethics from the University of Toronto's Joint Centre for Bioethics.

HINCHMAN, JUDITH ANNE
Judith Hinchman is a Faculty member of Seneca College School of Legal and Public Administration. Previously, Ms. Hinchman served on the Health Services Appeal and Review Board. Ms. Hinchman's community involvement includes: the Toronto Child Development Institute, Human Rights Watch Toronto Committee, and the Regent Park School of Music Foundation. She is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, member of the Law Society of Ontario, and a member of the Canadian Bar Association of Ontario.

SANDOMIRSKY, JANICE
Janice Sandomirsky has been a Specialist with the Fair Practices Commission of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Arbitrator with the Canada Revenue Agency and Mediator with the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program. Ms. Sandomirsky has served as Vice-Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal and Vice-Chair of the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal. In addition, Ms. Sandomisrky is a member of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and has further contributed by volunteering with the Out of the Cold Program and with the Big Sisters of Ontario as a Big Sister. Ms. Sandormirsky is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and a member of the Society of Ontario Arbitrators and Regulators.

SHEEHAN, BRIAN
Brian Sheehan has maintained an arbitration mediation practice and has served as Legal Representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Associate with Jesin and Watson Barristers and Solicitors. Mr. Sheehan contributes to his local community as a volunteer with the Tecumseh Home School Association's Lunchroom Supervisory Program, and has volunteered with the Mississauga Food Bank. Mr. Sheehan is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and a member of the Ontario Labour Management Arbitrators Association. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgood Hall Law School and his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto.

DIAMOND, ANDREW
Andrew Diamond has served as an Adjudicator and Judicial Officer with the province of Ontario since 2005. Mr. Diamond is also the author of a number of articles on insolvency law and employment law, as well as, a frequent guest lecturer at law schools and business schools in Ontario. Mr. Diamond serves as member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Ontario Arbitrators and Regulators and is a former Board member of the Human Rights Watch Toronto Committee and Independence Afloat. Mr. Diamond earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgood Hall Law School and his Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

DOYLE, MAUREEN
Maureen Doyle serves as Vice-Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. Prior to this, Ms. Doyle was a Partner with Ryder Wright Blair & Doyle Barristers and Solicitors, an Articling Student with Gowling Strathy and Henderson Law Firm, and a French Teacher with the Simcoe County Separate School Board. Ms. Doyle's community involvement includes C. PP. S. Mission Projects, where she assists with fundraising for educational, health and water projects in Tanzania. Her past contributions included: volunteering with the Toronto District School Board and Winter Welcome Table. Ms. Doyle is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

SHANNON, DAVID W.
David Shannon is a Lawyer in private practice that delivers service to those challenged by poverty, disability, and discrimination. In addition, Mr. Shannon has authored numerous articles and is a National Public Keynote Speaker touring North America, discussing such issues as: rehabilitation and rights protection, disability, and international human rights. Mr. Shannon serves as member of the Executive Committee of the Lakehead University Centre for Health Care and Ethics, member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, member of the Tetra Society Board of Directors, and member of the International Committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School and his Master of Laws from the University of London's London School of Economics and Political Science.

WIGGINS, AILSA
Ailsa Wiggins is Special Counsel with the Employment and Labour Practice Group of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. Prior to this, Ms. Wiggins served as Counsel with the Law Department of Imperial Oil Ltd., Staff Member with the Burkett Commission, and Articling Student with Campbell, Godfrey and Lewtas Law Firm. In addition, Ms. Wiggins has served as Vice-President and President of Allenby Daycare Inc., President of Allenby Parents Association, and Manager of North Toronto Nitros "Rep" Soccer Team. Ms. Wiggins is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, member of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, member of the Continuing Legal Education Liaison, and executive member of the Labour Relations Section of the Ontario Bar Association.

HEWAT, DALE LISA
Dale Hewat is a Consultant with CenterPoint Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Hewat served as a Labour Relations Arbitrator with Heat Arbitration Solutions Inc. and General Counsel with the Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. Ms. Hewat has served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, member of the Southern Ontario Regional Freestyle Team Board of Directors, member and Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Activities Group of York Mills Valley Association, and member of the Health and Safety Committee of John Fisher Public School. Ms. Hewat earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario.

SLOTNICK, LORNE
Lorne Slotnick was an Arbitrator and Mediator in private practice. Prior to this, Mr. Slotnick was an Arbitrator with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and served with the Investigations and Resolutions section of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, where he was responsible for investigating and resolving professional misconduct complaints against registered psychologists. Mr. Slotnick has served his community as Board member of the Families with Children from China. He is a member of the Ontario Labour-Management Arbitrator's Association. Mr. Slotnick earned his Undergraduate degrees from the University of Toronto.

ANDERSON, IAN B.
Ian Anderson practiced for seventeen years in the areas of labour law, workers compensation, constitutional and civil litigation and other areas of administrative law. Mr. Anderson was the founder of the Workers' Rights Group at Parkdale Community Legal Services, Chair of the Board of Directors of the community legal clinic - Injured Workers' Consultants for many years, the first Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Ontario Bar Association, and a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada's Workers' Compensation Specialist Certification Committee. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Work and Health.

ROWAN, CAROLINE
Caroline Rowan, of Toronto, was appointed to the Ontario Labour Relations Board as Vice-chair in 1999. She graduated from the University of Toronto and from Osgoode Hall Law School. Since her call to the Bar in 1991, she has worked exclusively in the field of labour relations and employment law. She was in private practice for many years providing counsel on a wide range of labour and employment matters.

SERENA, SUSAN JANE
Susan Serena teaches labour law at Ryerson University. Previously, Ms. Serena was Assistant General Counsel with Ontario Hydro, where she practiced labour and employment law for ten years. Ms. Serena was also a member of the Labour and Employment Law group of Ogilvy Renault. She has worked for the Legal Branch of the Ministry of Energy and with Cabinet Office of the Government of Ontario. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1981 and is a graduate of Queen's University Law School and the University of Toronto.

CHAPMAN, PAMELA ANNE
Pamela Chapman is a labour arbitrator, mediator and educator. Ms. Chapman has taught labour law at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law since January 2002 and, from 2002 to 2003, taught in the Department of Law in the faculty of Public Administration at Carleton University. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and of Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Chapman speaks and writes frequently on a wide variety of labour, employment and administrative law topics. She has served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

MANWARING, JOHN
John Manwaring is a Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa. Prior to that, Professor Manwaring was Associate Professor and Assistant Professor with the University. He serves as a member and Chair of the Board of Directors of Groupe Dance Lab, a dance company in Ottawa. In addition, Professor Manwaring is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

JAIN, AJIT
Ajit Jain is Senior Associate at India Abroad, a South Asian weekly newspaper in North America. He served as Associate Editor at India Abroad from 1985 to 2001. Mr. Jain is also a correspondent for the India Abroad News Service that caters to 34 major daily newspapers in India including Indian Express and Economic Times. Mr. Jain was Co-Chair of the Indo-Canadian Advisory Group and serves as a Patron of Child Haven International.

JACOBS, LAVERNE ASTRID
Laverne Jacobs holds a Bachelor of Civil Law degree and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature and Common Law from McGill University. Ms. Jacobs was called to the Ontario Bar in 2001 and has served as Counsel at the Department of Justice Canada in Ottawa. Currently, she is working toward the completion her Doctorate at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she has also taught as an Adjunct Professor.

KAPUR, SUNIL
Sunil Kapur, of Richmond Hill, is a Partner of the Labour and Employment Group of McCarthy Tetrault. Mr. Kapur has represented clients before various administrative tribunals and boards of arbitration. As a former Crown Counsel of Management Board Secretariat, he represented the Government of Ontario before numerous arbitration hearings, Labour Board hearings and judicial reviews. He is a member of the Interim Advisory Committee to the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Employment and Human Rights sub-committee of the Toronto Board of Trade. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School.

OSBORN, DAVID E.
David E. Osborne, of Ottawa, has extensive experience in litigation before all courts. Mr. Osborne has been in private practice in Ottawa since 1981. Prior to this, he held positions as Director of the Legal Department of the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (1977-1981), Executive Director of the Canadian Bar Association (1975-1977) and Assistant Professor, School of Business Administration, University of Western Ontario (1972-1975). Mr. Osborne is also a former Instructor and Lecturer of the Law Society of Canada Bar Admission Course, Administrative Law and Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982-1990) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (1997-1998).

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