Phil is a lawyer with SOM, practicing in all areas of labour and employment law, including human rights, employment standards, worker’s compensation and wrongful dismissal litigation. He has particular expertise in advising manufacturers across many types of businesses, including automotive, construction, food processing, and furniture.  He also represents a number of Ontario municipalities.  Phil has extensive business and human resources experience having been the Vice-President of Human Resources and in-house labour and employment counsel at Magna International during his career. Immediately prior to joining SOM, Phil was a partner in a prominent national law firm.

Phil is regularly called upon to offer his expertise in the area of progressive employee relations, and in this regard, is utilized to conduct workplace mediations, investigations, training, and employee surveys. Phil assists his clients with presenting a variety of training programs including sexual harassment, investigations, discipline, social media, and absenteeism.

He also has a very active litigation practice with extensive experience before labour arbitrators, the Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, and WSIAT.

Phil obtained his LL.B from the University of Windsor and holds a B.A. in Economics and Geography from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1978 and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association. In his limited spare time, Phil enjoys skiing and became a Director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League after coaching AAA minor hockey for many years.