Rubin Thomlinson LLP

Firm Overview: 

Managing Partners: Janice Rubin and Cory Boyd

Co-founders: Janice Rubin and Christine Thomlinson

Managing Director, RT Workplace Training Inc.: Christine Thomlinson

Number of Partners: 5

Number of Lawyers: 20

Languages: English & French 

Firm Overview: 

Founded in 2003, Rubin Thomlinson LLP is a Canadian law firm focused solely on workplace and institutional investigations, assessments, and training. The firm’s expertise in workplace investigations and assessments, including those involving harassment and other wrongful behaviour, is diverse, long-standing, and trusted.

We are frequently retained by employers and their counsel, from across Canada, to conduct legally-sound investigations into allegations of misconduct and a vast range of problematic workplace behaviour, as well as to provide workplace assessment, mediation, and restoration services. Our practice is grounded on four key cornerstones — fairness, thoroughness, confidentiality, and timeliness; when challenges arise, these four pillars inform our decision-making and ensure that we engage in a defensible process.

Experience and Qualifications: 

At Rubin Thomlinson, our experience in conducting all types of workplace investigations is extensive, and our practice is ever evolving with society. Our background and in-depth knowledge of employment and human rights law makes us adept in all investigations relating to (but not limited to) allegations of harassment and/or discrimination, and employee misconduct including violence, bullying, sexual assault, breach of confidentiality, code of conduct violations, financial fraud, and statutory violations.

Our investigation team is comprised of highly experienced lawyers who are licensed to practice law in the province of Ontario and are in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. As certified lawyers, our investigative team is unique, armed with a significant edge over those who do this work, both in terms of the quality of our analysis, and in our ability to quickly and easily identify legal issues that may arise during a workplace investigation, and to determine which issues require the client’s attention.

All of our lawyers regularly take Continuing Professional Development courses, some recent ones which have included training on trauma-centered approaches to investigations, Bill C-65, substance use pertaining to alcohol and cannabis, the meaning of consent, anti-racism and workplace investigations, as well as training on unconscious bias and microaggressions. These courses have enhanced each of our investigator’s communication styles and interview techniques overall, specifically in human rights and sexual harassment investigations. In addition to keeping up to date on industry practices and legislative changes, we are committed to and passionate about training organizations across the country, and we deliver our training to employees and employers through regularly updated webinars, public training courses, and customized in-house training sessions.

The Firm's Approach 

Impartial and Objective: 

We are widely relied upon for our rigour and neutrality, and fiercely protect our workplace investigations’ integrity.

Fact-based: 

We do not rely on speculation or presumptions, but on facts, evidence, and carefully considered assessments of credibility.

Legally Defensible: 

We do not merely investigate; we conduct intelligent, legally sound investigations that hold up to scrutiny should the situation be brought before a tribunal or court.

Humane: 

We know how stressful and intimidating an investigation can be. We see workplace investigations as an opportunity to not only ascertain the facts, but to allow all parties to feel heard.

Time-sensitive: 

We respect the urgency behind workplace investigations, and conduct our work with constant consideration for efficiency.

Trauma-informed: 

We are trained in trauma-informed practices, and we are conscious of minimizing any risk of re-traumatization while conducting our investigations.

Discreet: 

We recognize the sensitive nature of workplace and institutional investigations, and we take great care to protect the privacy interests of all involved.

Honest: 

We recognize when an investigation may not be the best solution for a particular matter, and we consult with our client to outline the best process for the best possible outcome.

Reputable: 

We are honoured to be frequently called upon for our reputation as the foremost firm for workplace and institutional investigations. We take this reputation very seriously, and we aim in every investigation to uphold the faith all parties place in us.

Areas of Practice 

• Workplace & Institutional Investigations
• Workplace Remediation and Mediation
• Workplace Restoration
• Policy Reviews
• Workplace Assessments & Reviews
• Whistleblower & Ombuds Services
• Consulting & Strategic Guidance
• Workplace & Institutional Training for HR

Types of Complaints 

• Sexual harassment
• Sexual violence
• Hostile work environment
• Bullying and psychological harassment
• Policy breaches
• Statutory violations
• Racial harassment and workplace discrimination
• Microaggressions
• Code of conduct violations and other employee misconduct
• Systemic discrimination
• Abuse of authority
• Reprisal and threats
• Whistleblower reports
• Conflict of interest
• Financial impropriety
• Academic misconduct
• Incivility
• Workplace violence and harassment investigations under the Canada Labour Code
• Bill C-65 Investigations

Sectors of Experience 

• Financial services
• Professional services firms
• Media, entertainment, and culture
• Advertising
• Sports organizations
• Retail companies
• IT and Technology
• Education
• Public and private/independent schools
• Unions
• Government and municipalities
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Healthcare
• Policing
• Property Management
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Aerospace
• Mining and construction
• Telecommunications