
Partner, Ottawa
Direct: 613.369.2111
Main: 613.234.0386
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Year of Call: Ontario, 2009
Biography
Siobhan O’Brien is a partner in Hicks Morley’s Ottawa office and is the firm’s Eastern Regional Lead Partner. Siobhan practises employment, labour and human rights law. She provides strategic, practical and cost-effective advice to employers from coast to coast on a variety of workplace issues. In addition to appearing before courts, human rights tribunals, arbitrators and labour boards, Siobhan routinely provides advice on wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights law, grievance arbitration, labour relations, collective bargaining and strike management.
Siobhan’s work has included advice and assistance to employers regarding notice terminations and dismissals for cause, policy development, restructuring, employment standards, accommodation, attendance management, collective agreement interpretation, discipline and dismissal, management rights, pregnancy/parental leave and restrictive covenants.
In addition to being exceptionally responsive and accessible, she is dedicated to understanding her clients’ particular business needs and is committed to recommending the best possible course of action.
As the firm’s Eastern Regional Lead Partner, Siobhan supports the ongoing growth, development, business planning and administration of our Ottawa and Kingston offices.
Outside of her practice, Siobhan enjoys spending time with family at Otter Lake and planning the next opportunity to eat a stack of pancakes at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Toronto.
Practice Areas
Employment Law Human Rights Labour Relations Litigation Occupational Health Workplace Safety & Insurance
Industries
Arts & Sports Construction Education Energy & Utilities Financial Services Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial) Healthcare Hospitality & Gaming Manufacturing Media & Communications Membership Associations Mining & Natural Resources Municipalities & Municipal Agencies Professional & Technical Services Retail & Wholesale Trade Social Services Transportation & Warehousing
Memberships & Affiliations
County of Carleton Law Association – Civil Litigation Conference Planning Committee Member
Women’s Business Network of Ottawa – Member
Ontario Bar Association – Member (Education Law, Women Lawyers Forum, Labour & Employment Law sections)
Canadian Bar Association – Member
Select Publications & Presentations
Moderator, “Employment Law Update: What Employers Need to Know in 2022” Canadian Lawyer (January 26, 2022)
“Court of Appeal Outlines Key Principles on Suspending Employees With and Without Pay” Labour Notes® (September 17, 2018)
“Public Disclosure of Private Facts (Privacy Tort)” County of Carleton Law Association 36th Annual Civil Litigation Conference (November 2016)
“Gender Identity and Gender Expression: Best Practices in the Workplace” Lancaster House Conference (November 2016)
“Cracking the Code: Deciphering doctors notes” Lancaster House Ottawa Human Rights & Labour Law Conference (October 2016)
“Gender Identity and Gender Expression in the Workplace Webinar” The Canadian Bar Association, SOGIC Forum and Labour & Employment Law Section (October 2016)
Education
Queen’s University, J.D.
Carleton University, B.A.