Ryan Watkins

[email protected]

Law School

Admitted to Bar

Years of Experience

Proficiency In

Santa Clara

2012

11

Wrongful Dismissals, Constructive Dismissals and Human Rights

A Client Centric Negotiator

Dedicated to Driving the Best Results

As an employment lawyer and litigator, Ryan Watkins’ approach to representing his clients is to always aim high, move fast and hit hard, whether the case is big, small, complex or straightforward.

Although Mr. Watkins has experience handling very complex workplace cases, he holds a special interest in representing the disadvantaged, especially in ‘David versus Goliath’ type matters, where Ryan can make a significant difference for his clients.

Ryan’s clients characterize him as attentive, approachable, empathic and professional. Ryan describes himself as client centric. He sees himself as a “truth teller”, ensuring there are no surprises for his clients, through clear and consistent communication. While his ability to bring calm and clarity to a case quickly puts his client at ease, it is his tailored strategies that he aggressively pursues, that drive results.

Through his litigation practice, Ryan has gained extensive experience in employment contracts, human rights and discrimination, wrongful/constructive dismissals, and occupational health and safety.

As a devoted fan of the Toronto Raptors, Ryan is a season ticket holder and often spends his free time at their games

Unlike many other so-called “employment law litigators”, who claim they will go to court, Ryan Watkins walks the talk. Some of Ryan’s diverse case experiences include:

Patel v. Crimp Circuit Inc., 2022 – successfully represented employee in wrongful dismissal action despite the judge ruling the employee failed to mitigate.
Shirwa v. CSA Transportation Inc., 2018 HRTO 1670 – successfully had application dismissed at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal due to lack of jurisdiction.
Chapman v. GPM Investment Management, 2017 ONCA 227 - successfully represented an investment management firm at the Court of Appeal against a former employee who sued for over $3 million dollars.

Terradyne Construction Management Ltd. v. 6832458 Canada Inc., 2015 ONCA 1495 – successfully represented the defendant in a complex breach of trust claim, at the Ontario Divisional Court.
Naeem Alarakhia v. Ashley Park Operations Corporation – successfully defended an employer in a wrongful dismissal action.
Argen Canada LLC v. Nigel Roberts – successfully recovered damages for a company that mistakenly overpaid a former employee.

Ryan has appeared on CBC, Global News Morning, TVO, CTV, BNN Bloomberg, and 680 News. Ryan also frequently writes and is quoted in journal publications. Some recent publications include:

The News Forum, Canadian Justice, The Family Drama Behind-the-Scenes at Rogers Communications, October, 2023
CTV News, New Deadline in Port Strike, BC, July 14, 2023
CTV News, CUPE Strike 2022, November 17, 2022
CBC News, Will Covid Vaccines be Mandatory in Schools?
BNN Bloomberg, ICU doctor says demands for office ‘face-time’ need to stop amid third wave – BNN Bloomberg, April 6, 2021
BNN Bloomberg, 1 in 3 workers would seek new job if asked to return to office full-time, April 6, 2021
Toronto.com, Can Businesses deny customers who don’t get the COVID-19 vaccine?, December 18, 2020
Global News, How does COVID-19 impact your employment rights?, March 12, 2020

Canadian Lawyer Magazine, Can employers require employees to take a COVID vaccine, December 16, 2020
The Toronto Star Podcast This Matters, 3.2 Percent of Ontario’s lawyers are Black. Why that’s a problem for law and society, August 31, 2020
The Lawyer’s Daily, Why so few Black partners in Canada’s top law firms?, August 10, 2020
Toronto.com, Analysis: Why are there so few Black lawyers in Ontario?, July 31, 2020
The Globe and Mail, Library staff in Fraser Valley, B.C. ordered not to perform first aid in emergencies, March 26, 2018

Older woman with short hair looking into camera

Our impact.

From start to finish, my experience with Whitten & Lublin was professional, speedy and comprehensive. Valentina with Intake Services was professional and friendly. Lawyer Ryan Watkins was empathetic and worked quickly in order to satisfactorily resolve my case. I highly recommend Ryan and will continue to do so to friends and former colleagues.

Kim Johnson

Ryan Watkins has exceptional talent, professionalism, and expertise. He helped me navigate through the settlement process with my former employer. Ryan is there to genuinely help you get the best deal possible and I appreciate his help, guidance, and professional legal advice. Ryan took the time to explain things to me and answered all of my questions.

Trevor Hickey

Ryan is a very thoughtful and thorough lawyer. He understood my needs, advocated well on my behalf and was always available to answer my questions.

Farah Esmail

Ryan Watkins was who worked on my case and he made the whole process very stress free. Affordable and quick resolve. Would highly recommend.

Amber Mcguire

I was very fortunate when I needed the help and advice of a lawyer to receive it from Ryan Watkins. Ryan was professional in all his dealings with me. He was very organized, experienced and wise but he was far more than that. He was also honest and kind, and very fair even as he defended my interests. He did not take advantage of my situation but instead worked for my good. He is not only a great lawyer but a very fine person and a credit to his firm. I have no hesitation in recommending him and gladly do so.

Paula Willis

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Your employment
is our specialty

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