Partner, Toronto
Direct: 416.864.7483
Main: 416.362.1011
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Year of Call: Ontario, 2014
Biography
Edward O’Dwyer is an employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office and the chair of the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. As an experienced litigator, he acts as employer counsel in wrongful dismissal and unjust dismissal matters for clients across all industries with a special focus on federally regulated and financial services employers.
Edward regularly appears before arbitrators, administrative tribunals and appellate courts. In addition to his considerable courtroom experience, he routinely provides guidance and acts for both non-unionized and unionized employers in human rights matters, grievance arbitrations and complex workplace safety matters.
Edward takes a solutions-oriented approach to all client matters—both in litigation and day-to-day advice. He believes that the best way to avoid and resolve issues is to learn as much as possible about each of his clients. He aims to make his clients’ jobs easier by presenting matters in the most straightforward and practical way. Edward focuses on strategic ways to avoid litigation and, when it cannot be avoided, he extracts the lessons that can be learned to proactively address other areas within his clients’ organizations that may require modifications.
Outside of his practice, Edward is a history buff and sports enthusiast who enjoys spending as much time as he can with his growing family.
Practice Areas
Employment Law Human Rights Labour Relations Litigation Litigation - Directors & Officers (D&0) Occupational Health Workplace Safety & Insurance
Industries
Arts, Entertainment & Sports Construction Energy & Utilities Financial Services Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial) Healthcare Hospitality & Gaming Manufacturing Media & Communications Membership Associations Mining & Natural Resources Municipalities & Municipal Agencies Retail & Wholesale Trade School Boards Social Services Transportation & Warehousing
Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (2025)
Labour and Employment Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2024)
Employment Law (Repeatedly Recommended)
Memberships & Affiliations
Canadian Bar Association – Member
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto – Board Member
Foundation for Montessori Education – Board Member
Human Resources Professionals Association Appeal Committee – Chair
Ontario Bar Association – Member (Civil Litigation and Labour & Employment Law)
Select Publications & Presentations
“Case Law Updates” 34th Annual Schedule 2 Employers Group Conference: Leading the Way: Inspiring a Healthy Workplace (October 5, 2023)
“Summary Trial Essentials” Ontario Bar Association Civil Litigation/Young Lawyers Division Program (October 20, 2021)
“What will a return to work look like Part 1?” Ontario Bar Association (May 12, 2020)
Education
University of Western Ontario, J.D.
McGill University, Bachelor of Arts (Jt. Hons.)