Garth O’Neill

Law Society of Ontario Certified Specialist (Labour Law)

Called to the Bar in 1991

• Certified Specialist (Labour Law)
• Labour Relations & Employment Law
• Administrative Law (including claims before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Human Resource Planning and Implementation

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Garth O’Neill is one of the most well known and respected labour and employment lawyers in Northwestern Ontario and is recognized by the Law Society of Ontario as a Certified Specialist in Labour Law. Since 1991, Garth has advised many leading industrial and public-sector organizations throughout Northwestern Ontario on labour and employment law issues. He regularly represents management in contract negotiations and appears as counsel before the Labour Relations Board and Grievance Arbitrators, as well as at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Employment Standards, and Occupational Health and Safety proceedings.  Garth serves larger institutions as well as smaller companies and service-sector clients, and represents individuals in disputes with their employers.

Garth has completed comprehensive advanced training in facilitative mediation through the Stitt, Feld, Handy Group in Toronto, and adds ADR/mediation to the long list of services he offers his clients.

Garth believes in building strong, long-term relationships with clients. He regularly travels throughout Northern Ontario to serve his clients in their communities. Garth takes the opportunity, wherever possible, to commit to speaking engagements on workplace planning and management training for many of his clients. He often appears as a speaker and panellist at labour and employment law seminars in Thunder Bay and the region.

Community Involvement

• Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Algoma
• Frequent Speaker and contributor at Human Resource conferences and events
• Member, Private Pension Committee

Education

• LLB, Queen’s University, 1989

Erin Hansen

Associate Lawyer

Called to the Bar in 2020

• Labour Relations
• Employment Law
• Administrative Law (including claims before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario)

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Erin joined O’Neill Associates in May 2019 as a Summer Student, and returned as a Placement Student in September 2019 before finally joining the team as an Associate Lawyer in November 2020. Erin has always had her sights set on working as a labour and employment lawyer. Erin graduated from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law where she was awarded a number of prestigious scholarships and awards for her academic achievements, including First Class Standing, Dean’s Honour Roll Prizes for ranking second in her class, and the Course Prize for the highest mark in Evidence Law. During law school, Erin was heavily involved with the school’s Labour Law Association, holding both Vice President and President roles. Before completing her law degree, Erin completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management with a Major in Law and Business where she focused her studies on workplace law and economics. Erin was also a competitive member of the debate team for all of her academic career leading up to law school, taking home her first debate trophy at only 12 years old.

Growing up in Kenora and Thunder Bay, Erin understands what it’s like to live and work in Northwestern Ontario. Prior to law school, Erin worked full-time for a not-for-profit organization that was devoted to studying and improving the labour market conditions in Northwestern Ontario. In that capacity, Erin travelled to communities throughout the area to speak with business owners and employees about the difficulties they faced in working and running businesses in the North. Erin’s personal, professional and academic history have all helped her develop a deeper understanding of employment and human rights issues faced by individuals and employers in the region. She puts this background to good use in her legal career.

In her spare time, Erin makes the most of the outdoors, even in the face of Thunder Bay’s infamous six (or more) months of winter. Erin’s hobbies include downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, and hiking. She also devotes much of her time to volunteering with local animal rescues and is usually ready at any time to show you pictures of her latest foster animals.

Community Involvement

• Volunteer, Paws for Love Dog Rescue
• Volunteer, Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge

Education

• JD, Lakehead University, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, 2020
• French Language Diploma, Level B2 (Diplôme d’études en langue), 2014

Andrew Mawdryk

Associate Lawyer

Called to the Bar in 2022

• Labour Relations
• Employment Law
• Human Rights and Accommodation
• Employment Standards Complaints
• Occupational Health and Safety Act Offences
• Human Resource Policy Planning and Implementation

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Andrew Mawdryk is a graduate of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law where he was actively involved in several clubs, holding the position of Co-President of the Human Rights Law Club during the 2020-2021 academic year, President of the Sports Law Club during the 2021-2022 academic year, and President of the Labour and Employment Law Association during the 2022 winter semester. In the classroom, Andrew was awarded the Course Prize for the highest mark in Wills and Estates Law.

Prior to law school, Andrew completed an honours in political science and a major in geography at McGill University. Andrew’s interest in labour and employment law began years ago when he spent his summers in his home province of Quebec, working as a Camp Director at a non-profit camp for underprivileged children – something he continues to do when time allows. Among his many duties, he handled all employment and human resources matters for a team of over 75 staff members.

Andrew joined O’Neill Associates in May 2021 as a Summer Student, and returned as a Placement Student and then for his second summer before joining O’Neill Associates in November 2022 as an Associate Lawyer.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys camping across Northwestern Ontario during the summer months, and playing hockey throughout the winter.

Community Involvement

• Volunteer, Shelter House
• Volunteer, CHOICES Program Thunder Bay

Education

• JD, Lakehead University, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, 2022
• BA, Honours in Political Science & Geography, McGill University, 2019

Rosanne Stasiewicz

Executive Assistant/Marketing Coordinator

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Rosanne Stasiewicz at one time last year decided to retire from O’Neill Associates, only to learn that she missed the clients and her co-workers. She comes into the office once a week to continue marketing duties for the firm, and basically parachutes into any job where she is needed.

In her spare time, Rosanne enjoys reading, weight lifting, and especially spending time with her 2 grandchildren. Rosanne herself has been active in the community. She is on the Fundraising Committee for a charity she deeply believes in – PRO Kids. Rosanne was proudly one of the founding members of “Chairs for Chairity”, in support of the Shelter House Thunder Bay, and has also participated and/or fundraised for many Thunder Bay events – most recently the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle.

Rosanne is known for her wicked sense of humour (a product of her environment, she claims) and her creativity in finding resourceful solutions to any problem. Her professionalism, dedication, and approachability are the embodiment of O’Neill Associates.

Donna Kinnunen

Office Administrator

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Donna has more than thirty years’ experience in law firm administration. If an issue has arisen in the complex world of legal services, she has encountered it – and conquered it. Every now and then, you meet someone who has found a solution before you knew you had a problem. Donna is that person. With a calm demeanour and a wry sense of humour, Donna’s presence in the office brings still waters, and clients can be comforted in knowing she’s “on it”.

Donna is responsible for overseeing our administration functions in the office. She excels in customer service and is the friendly face who greets you when you arrive. Her administrative role includes various tasks such as file support, accounts payable, accounts receivable, data entry, payroll, and banking services.

With a passion for all that’s Northwestern Ontario, Donna particularly enjoys taking time to savour the tranquility of the outdoors. She has a zest for life like no other, and can always find reason to add a theme to the occasion. Her true passions in life are family and the time spent together, and community involvement.

Donna is a long-time supporter of local charitable organizations, and has left her mark on community events such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Corporate Relay, Chairs for Charity, Big Bike and the United Way, to name a few.

Cheryl Mohring

Law Clerk

Cheryl brings over 37 years of experience to the OA team having an in-depth knowledge and background of the law, practice and procedures dedicated to serving clients. She obtained her Law Clerk designation from the Law Clerk Institute of Ontario, and has worked in all areas of practice including litigation, with the last 16 years dedicated to labour and employment law.

Chery’s experience includes drafting, policy review, conducting research, and preparing files for mediations, arbitrations and collective bargaining. She has been instrumental in the preparation of cases for hearings before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT), the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and the courts at both provincial and federal levels.

Cheryl’s calm and approachable demeanour give clients the confidence that even the most complex matters will be handled professionally and with sensitivity.

Cheryl believes in giving back to the community, and has been involved in events such as the CIBC Run for the Cure and the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. She is a member of the Canadian Red Cross, Zone Watch Program (Thunder Bay Police Service), and has actively organized and prepared meals at the Shelter House.

In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys entertaining, long walks, hiking and spending time with family and friends.