Kelly O’Ferrall

Kelly helps local and international clients identify and implement strategies to mitigate workplace related legal risks. She provides tailored advice to clients on best practices for developing and maintaining workplace policies and for complying with employment standards, human rights, workplace safety, and employee privacy laws. Kelly regularly negotiates contractual agreements on behalf of employers, including executive employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenant terms, as well as termination arrangements for departing employees. She also represents clients in response to constructive dismissal, human rights, as well as other employees claims and complaints.

Kelly has substantial experience providing timely and practical advice on the labour and employment law aspects of corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, insolvencies, restructuring and outsourcing transactions. She also assists public and private companies with implementing employee and executive compensation arrangements, such as bonus plans, stock option plans, and other equity and non-equity based compensation arrangements, in all cases tailored to meet her clients needs.

Kelly has recently advised numerous clients on workplace-related matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. She works with her clients to create practical COVID-19 health and safety policies, re-opening and return to office (RTO) plans, as well as the necessary practices and protocols to promote workplace safety in the current environment. She also frequently advises on temporary layoffs and mass terminations, special leaves and other statutory exceptions related to COVID-19 and managing changes to employees’ terms and conditions of employment (including compensation arrangements in response to the pandemic).


Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Employment & Labour (Ontario)

Credentials

Education

  • Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D.
  • Queens University’s, Honours B.A.
  • Queen’s University, B.Sc.

Languages

  • English

Professional Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Law Society of Ontario