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Unified LLP

Roles: Lawyer

Contact

416-787-7678

Boris Alexander

Senior Lawyer / Disability / Employment

Boris is a Senior Lawyer at Unified LLP and specializes in Employment Law.

Boris has represented both employees and employers in all areas of Employment Law. This experience includes, but is not limited to, wrongful dismissals, human rights complaints, misclassification issues, workplace harassment, workplace investigations, unpaid wages, contract drafting, and general employee and employer consulting services.

Amongst his clients, Boris is known for being empathetic, transparent, hard-working, and ensures his clients feel heard. As a result, Boris is proud to have received over 100 five-star Google Reviews.

Before joining Unified LLP, Boris worked as a lawyer at well-known national labour and employment firms and articled at a top tax litigation firm. Boris has experience in small, mid-size, large firm, and in-house environments. As well, Boris served as the lead author for the LexisNexis publication Canadian Forms & Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment, between 2022-2024. Boris has also served as a Guest Lecturer at various universities, colleges, and conferences.

Boris has represented clients before various courts and tribunals, including the Small Claims Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.

Education:

  • York University, B.A. (Criminology)
  • Bader International Study Centre, J.D. (International Business Law)
  • Queen’s University, Faculty of Law, J.D.

Languages:

  • English
  • Russian

Interests:

In his spare time, Boris enjoys traveling the world (30 countries visited thus far) and learning languages (currently Korean).

Contact

416.222.3375

Jeremy Lee

Lawyer / Employment / Labour / Professional Discipline

Jeremy is an associate lawyer with Unified LLP’s Employment Law and Disability Group.

Jeremy has appeared for clients at Small Claims Court, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and the Ministry of Labour.

Whether it’s a human rights accommodation or a wrongful/unjust dismissal issue, Jeremy is proud to continue defending the rights of workers and endeavours to reach the best possible outcome for his clients. He is easy to talk to with ears wide open.

Before joining the team at Unified LLP, Jeremy attended law school to learn how to help workers navigate our complicated legal systems. He co-founded the Queen’s chapter of the Law Union of Ontario, collaborating with other law school chapters to hold social justice-orientated workshops. As well, Jeremy summered at the Injured Worker’s Community Legal Clinic (‘IWC’) where he learned about the litigious aspects of WSIB matters. While at IWC, Jeremy contributed extensive legal research for Charter challenges that the clinic was working on.

Prior to becoming an associate, Jeremy articled under Unified LLP’s Employment Law and Disability Group as well as under Unified LLP’s Labour Law division where he assisted teachers and early childhood educators with professional regulation matters at various tribunals and at the Divisional Court.

Education

  • J.D. – Queen’s Law
  • Hons. Ba of Arts (High Distinction) – University of Toronto

Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin (conversational)

Contact

403.906.2351

Jivanya Reddy

Lawyer / Family

Jivanya Reddy was born and raised in South Africa. She obtained a first-class semi-private school education nurtured by her devout parents. She hails from a long line of empowered women and attributes her tenacity to this lineage of strong and resilient women. Jivanya’s uncanny and brilliant world views are attributed to her being exposed to world travel and her innate ability to learn about global politics and news. In 2005, at the age of 14, Jivanya immigrated to Canada together with her parents, where she began a new road as an immigrant youth trying to integrate into a culturally diverse diaspora. After relocating to Calgary and observing the long and arduous journey that both her parents embarked upon as immigrants, Jivanya gained inspiration and wanted to contribute by gaining a sense of financial independence at a young age.

 

Jivanya gained a Radio Television Broadcast News Diploma in a very competitive program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and then transferred to the University of Calgary to obtain her Bachelor of Communication Studies Degree. From a very young age, Jivanya was intent on serving humanity and helping people. Hence in 2014, she enrolled for a Bachelor of Law Honours Degree at the University of Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. Undeterred, she obtained her degree in 2017 and returned to Calgary. She pursued and obtained her National Committee Accreditation Assessment and then was offered a Student-at-Law position at Clark and Associates in Calgary, Alberta. Jivanya was called to the Alberta Bar in August 2021 and has worked in all aspects of family law since 2018 as a family law legal assistant and associate lawyer. Her hard work, commitment and dedication were a key factor throughout all these years.

 

Her generosity of spirit and passion to help was inspired by her elders, and this prompted her to connect and engage with the community by way of volunteerism and philanthropy. Jivanya’s volunteer experience spans from volunteering in various capacities at the Translation Association – University of Calgary, Making Changes, World Refugee Committee, Calgary Public Library, Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Indigo Books and The Calgary Bridge Foundations for Youth – Tutoring Support. Her philanthropy extends to the following: The Calgary Bridge Foundation and The Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association for youth scholarships.

Contact

416-222-3375

Ali Mesbahian

Lawyer / Labour

Ali is an associate lawyer at Unified LLP advocating for the rights and interests of workers in a variety of settings, including labour law, professional regulation, and human rights.

Prior to joining Unified LLP, Ali articled and summered at a union and employee side law firm where he developed his command in employment disputes, grievance arbitrations, collective bargaining,  human rights, and constitutional matters. Ali is also a proud alumnus of Parkdale Community Legal Services, where he served as a caseworker in the Workers’ Rights division. Throughout his time at Osgoode Hall Law School, Ali honed his advocacy skills through mooting as a member of the Tort Law Moot team where he received the award for best factum. He also represented Osgoode Hall in the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. In the summer of 2021, Ali worked with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association where he helped produce various reports on the civil liberties implications of regulating social media.  He has also hosted a legal podcast and served an editor of the Transnational Legal Theory Journal.  In addition to labour and employment law, Ali’s interest spans across international law, class actions and the use of technology and artificial intelligence in the workplace.

In his past life, Ali obtained his BA and MA in philosophy at the University of Toronto and University of Alberta, respectively.

Education

  • J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School
  • M.A., University of Alberta
  • B.A., University of Toronto

Professional Associations

  • Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
  • Law Society of Ontario

Contact

414-222-1673

Mariette Niranjanan

Lawyer / Family

Mariette is an Associate Lawyer at Unified LLP, working within the firm’s Family Law group.

Prior to joining Unified LLP Mariette obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, where she worked within the University’s Family Law Legal Aid Clinic. She has also practiced law in boutique law firms and specialized in the areas of family law, criminal defence, commercial law, and civil litigation. Mariette has always had a passion for family law and she now applies her extensive and varied legal background to family law. Mariette has dealt with numerous unique family law issues, including parenting, support, property, and even child protection matters that allowed her to build a rapport with local Children’s Aid Societies.

Mariette believes in a client-centered approach to practicing law, with dedication and compassion for her clients. Advocating for clients on a wide variety of issues, including high-conflict and high-value cases, Mariette is driven by achieving the best possible results for her clients.

Education

  • J.D., University of Ottawa
  • M.P.A., Queens University
  • B.A. (Hons.), York University

Professional Associations

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Toronto Lawyers Association

Contact

416-222-3375

Thomas Pender

Lawyer / Landlord and Tenant

Thomas is an Associate and practices as part of our administrative law team specializing in representing working people at Tribunals including the Landlord Tenant Board and the Human Rights Tribunal.

Prior to joining the firm, Thomas completed their articles at a boutique firm specializing in disability justice, where they primarily worked with the Labour team on collective bargaining, grievances, and legal research. Thomas also spent time at the Community Legal Clinic of Ottawa working as a student in their Housing division.

Thomas completed their JD at the University of Ottawa. While completing their studies, Thomas was involved in Pro Bono work for the Aids Committee of Ottawa, and a member of the OUTLaw queer advocacy group. Thomas is passionate about advocating for progressive social change and is dedicated to working towards a more equitable future.

Prior to attending law school, Thomas completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto, specializing in Biochemistry. Outside of law, Thomas enjoys playing piano, playing video games, and spending time with loved ones.

Education

  • J.D., University of Ottawa
  • B.Sc., University of Toronto

Professional Associations

  • Law Society of Ontario

Contact

416.800.1733
519.729.5038

Spencer Roberts

Lawyer / Property and Commerce

Spencer Roberts is a lawyer in Unified LLP’s Property and Commerce department and she services clients from the firm’s Toronto and Waterloo Region offices. Spencer assists clients in both litigation and transactions in real property matters (including municipal law, land use planning, expropriation, real estate, construction law, tieback and crane swing agreements, commercial leases) and corporate/commercial matters, including corporate and business litigation and transactions of various kinds. Spencer is enthusiastic about property and commercial law and is prepared to assist clients by deploying a pragmatic and thorough approach to problem-solving, due diligence and conflict management.

Ms. Roberts has successfully appeared at the Ontario Land Tribunal, Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice in relation to municipal and commercial matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Spencer completed her articles at a real estate, business, and wills and estates firm in Markham. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree from the University of Windsor. Prior to law school, Spencer co-authored a peer reviewed article published in the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association Journal entitled “Retirement Inequalities: The Importance of Ethnic Origins.”

Representative Work:

  • 1000142489 Ontario Inc. v. Brampton (City), 2024 CanLII 51685 (ON LT) (Decision Here). Counsel in successful appeal allowing a severance and minor variances in relation to a development in Brampton.

Education:

  • J.D., University of Ottawa (Cum Laude)
  • M.A., University of Windsor
  • B.A. (Hons.), University of Windsor

Professional Associations:

  • Ontario Expropriation Association
  • Urban Land Institute
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Ontario Bar Association

Contact

T 647-805-9746

Ali Saghari

Lawyer / Employment

Ali is an associate lawyer at Unified LLP, focusing his expertise on employment law. He is dedicated to championing the rights of workers by guiding them through the complexities of employment disputes with a blend of empathy and pragmatism. Understanding the personal challenges faced by those entangled in employment issues, Ali places the utmost importance on addressing client concerns. His approach is characterized by patience and a steadfast commitment to service. Whether it involves negotiating a fair termination package or advocating for justice through litigation, Ali’s dedication to achieving the best outcome for his clients never falters.

Prior to his tenure at Unified LLP, Ali honed his legal acumen by articling at a leading boutique litigation firm in Toronto, providing him with invaluable insight into the litigation process from a defence perspective. This unique vantage point now serves as a strategic advantage in pursuing his clients’ interests effectively.

While studying at Queen’s law, Ali was an executive of the Employment Law Club, a volunteer editor for the Employment Law Journal, a member of the Queen’s Legal Aid Clinic and the graduate student trustee for the Queen’s University Board of Trustees. At the Legal Aid Clinic Ali was able to support clients going through some of the most challenging circumstances a person can go through. Ali’s knack for litigation was also demonstrated when he was selected to partake in the Queen’s Law Grand Moot – an exhibition of Queen’s top debating talent for which only four students were chosen to participate. Through these experiences Ali gained a deep passion for supporting wronged individuals, identifying institutional faults, and arguing nuanced points of law.

In his free time Ali enjoys cooking for friends and family, a passion he picked up while working in kitchens since high school and throughout his undergraduate degree. He also enjoys spending time with friends playing sports and whittling as a creative outlet.

Education

  • J.D. – Queen’s Law
  • Hons. Ba of Arts in Political Science with specialization in Legal Studies – Wilfrid Laurier University

Languages

  • English
  • Persian

Contact

416-222-3375

Priyanka Sharma

Lawyer / Labour / Professional Discipline

Priyanka is an Associate with the Labour group practising labour, professional regulation, and human rights law.

Prior to joining the firm, Priyanka articled and summered at a union-side labour law firm in Toronto assisting with matters of constitutional law, collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, and pay equity. Most recently, Priyanka completed a judicial clerkship with the Honourable Ann Marie McDonald at the Federal Court in Ottawa in administrative, Aboriginal, class actions, and immigration and refugee law. During clerkship, Priyanka was also a semi-finalist in the Exchequer Cup Moot at the Federal Court of Appeal.

Priyanka attended Osgoode Hall Law School where she was awarded the Dean’s Gold Key Award and the Jean-Alexandre De Bousquet Award for the Advancement of Human Rights. At Osgoode, Priyanka was a workers’ rights caseworker and board member at Parkdale Community Legal Services, managing editor at TheCourt.ca, and co-president of OUTLaws. Priyanka also competed in the Julius Alexander Isaac Critical Race Theory Moot.

Priyanka currently sits on the Board of Directors at LGBT Youthline and previously served on the Board of Directors at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre.

Education

  • JD, Osgoode Hall Law School
  • MA, University of Toronto
  • BA (Hons), University of Toronto

Professional Associations

  • Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Toronto Lawyers Association

Contact

647-483-1308

Evan Wang

Lawyer / Employment

Evan Wang is a Toronto employment lawyer and associate with Unified LLP’s Employment Law and Disability Group, serving clients across Ontario. Evan has attended mediations and hearings before the Small Claims Court, Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Superior Court of Justice. He navigates his clients through the intricacies of workplace issues to bring the best resolution tailored to each client.

Evan was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2022, and is a member of Law Society of Ontario. Prior to joining Unified LLP, Evan articled at an employment law firms where he advised and represented both employers and employees on a broad range of workplace issues including wrongful and constructive dismissal claims, breach of employment contracts, violation of employment standards legislation, discrimination and human rights, and drafting and reviewing employment contracts. During his time at law school, he was active in various volunteer projects including the Community & Legal Aid Services Program and Pro Bono Students Canada.

Evan brings a compassionate, pragmatic, and client-centred approach to his work. He discerns clients’ personal circumstances and strives to help them progress smoothly in their lives by providing the most suitable legal solutions.  He is also outspoken about promoting transparency, equality, and inclusion in various Ontario workplaces.

Evan has a particular interest in reading, languages, and philosophy.

Kimberley Wilton

Contact

414-222-1673

Kimberley Wilton

Senior Lawyer / Family

Kimberley Wilton is family lawyer with Unified LLP. She practices throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
 

Since being called to the bar, Kimberley has developed a reputation for being a results-oriented and compassionate advocate for her clients, who often face complex and high-conflict family law issues.
 

Kimberley’s practice encompasses a range of dispute resolution methods, including co-operative negotiation, litigation, mediation, and arbitration, depending on the best interests and needs of her clients. Kimberley has experience with a wide range of family law matters, including parenting disputes, child and spousal support claims, complex property division, family adoptions, and mobility issues.
 

Kimberley is also a certified collaborative family law lawyer and trained family law mediator, which enables her to help clients resolve their matters in a respectful and constructive way, without going to court. Kimberley’s mission is to provide her clients with effective, efficient, and personalized legal services that protect their rights and interests and help them achieve their goals. Prior to starting her legal career, Kimberley was an award-winning poet and creative non-fiction writer.
 

Representative Work

J.O. v D.O., 2021 ONSC 8061

Education

Family Mediation Certificate, Riverdale Mediation
J.D., Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
B.A., Memorial University
B.Sc. (Honours), the University of Toronto
 

Member
Collaborative Divorce Toronto
Toronto Lawyer’s Association
Ontario Bar Association
The Advocates Society

Nicholas Vaduva

Contact

416.222.1673

Nicholas Vaduva

Lawyer / Family

Nicholas attended law school in Thunder Bay at Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree. Lakehead’s unique IPC (Integrated Practice Curriculum) Law program gave Nicholas more of a hands-on approach while studying law.

Nicholas completed his practice placement (articling equivalent) under the IPC program at a small family law firm in Thunder Bay which sparked his interest in family law. Nicholas also has experience working at a refugee law firm in North York during his time studying for the BAR exam. After getting licensed, Nicholas worked his first associate job at a firm in Markham, focusing primarily on Family law and Civil litigation. Nicholas had an interest in law from an early age, as he worked as a law clerk at a personal injury firm in downtown Toronto for many summers prior to law school. Nicholas received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ontario, where he majored in criminology and justice studies.

Nicholas’s unique and diversified legal experiences has provided him with strong problem solving and advocacy skills. Nicholas is a compassionate lawyer that always keeps his client’s goals in mind when advocating for them.

Nicholas was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. He engaged in the community in a variety of ways with his work, volunteer time and extracurricular activities. Nicholas had volunteered for a variety of community activities and at a few animal hospitals. Nicholas has always had a love for animals and an interest in animal rights. Nicholas loves engaging in sports. In his younger years, he would spend a lot of his time skateboarding with friends at the local skatepark during the summer and snowboarding during the winter. He also spent a lot of time playing tennis and ping-pong, as part of his past volunteer work included teaching tennis to newer players at his local tennis club. During his time at law school, Nicholas had joined the intramural basketball team and dodgeball team, and even won the intramural championship for dodgeball during his final year.

Nicholas was called to the bar in early 2023 and is always looking for opportunities to sharpen his legal skills and expand his knowledge on the law.

Contact

647.483.1304

Andy Zhou

Lawyer / Disability / Employment

Andy Zhou is an associate lawyer with the Employment and Disability Law Group at Unified LLP. He serves clients throughout Ontario.

Andy’s practice focuses on employee-side employment law and disability issues, including wrongful dismissals, constructive dismissals, employment standards, workplace accommodation and harassment and human rights violations.

Before joining Unified LLP, Andy articled at a downtown employment boutique and gained valuable experience of the employee-side litigation work. Andy received his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. While at law school, Andy was an active member of Osgoode Mediation Clinic, where he assisted Crown counsel at the Private Information Court with client intakes and facilitated Small Claims court and community mediations. At Osgoode, Andy volunteered as an upper-year mentor and a student ambassador. He also served as the Co-President for Asian Law Students Association.

Prior to studying law, Andy had worked at regional offices for a number of international organizations such as the British Council and the Consulate General of Canada, where he provided administrative support to the education marketing and trade promotion teams and arranged daily agendas for visiting high profile officials.

Education

  • J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School
  • M.Ed., University of Calgary
  • M.A. Sichuan International Studies University
  • B.A. Sichuan International Studies University

Professional Associations

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers

Languages

  • English and Chinese

Personal

In his spare time, Andy enjoys reading, swimming, spinning and weight training. Andy is an avid traveller and has been to over 40 countries and territories in 5 continents.

Contact

416-222-3375

Adam Veenendaal

Lawyer / Labour / Professional Discipline

A passionate advocate for social justice and fairness, Adam incorporates interest-based negotiation strategies in his work as a labour and employment lawyer.

Prior to joining Unified LLP, Adam articled and worked as an associate at a boutique union-side firm. He holds a diploma in Recording Arts: Music from the Art Institute of Vancouver (2004), a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Concordia University (2014), and a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University (2019).

Adam has represented clients at grievance arbitrations and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Ontario Small Claims Court.

When not practicing law or producing music, Adam is probably out hunting for rare vinyl records, on the drums with his band, or playing with his adrenaline-loving cat.

Representative Work

  • United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada, Local 175 v Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, 2022 CanLII 49709 (ON LRB)
  • United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 175 v Canada Royal Milk ULC, 2022 CanLII 122529 (ON LRB)
  • Gate Gourmet Canada Inc. v. Milk and Bread Drivers, 2021 ONSC 4202 (CanLII)
  • United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 175 v. Copper River Inn and Conference Centre, 2021 ONSC 5058 (CanLII)
  • Cargill Limited v United Food and Commercial Workers Canada, Local 175 and 633, 2023 CanLII 29278 (ON LA)

Education

  • B.A, Concordia University
  • J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Professional Associations

  • Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
  • Toronto Lawyers Association
  • Law Society of Ontario