George Avraam

George Avraam was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1999 and has since practiced as a trial and appellate litigator. George's practice is focused on labour, employment, public and administrative law, class actions, education law, and fiduciary duties. He has acted as lead counsel in arbitrations, administrative proceedings, trials, appeals, judicial reviews, class actions, and injunctions.

George is designated by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in civil litigation. He is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, has been ranked in Chambers Global and Chambers Canada and Ontario (Band 2), has been recommended as a leading lawyer in Legal 500 for Labour and Employment, and has been recommended as a leading employment lawyer in Lexpert. George is also the Chair of the North America Employment and Compensation Law Practice Group and a member of the Global Employment and Compensation Law Practice Group’s Steering Committee.

Firm/Organization: Baker McKenzie

Blogs: Canadian Fraud Law, Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Latest Articles

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Changes to Mexico’s Labor Law Lead Employers to Reconsider CBAs

By George Avraam on October 10, 2019

We’re pleased to share an informative article in which our colleague, Salvador Pasquel Villegas, provides his insight as to how employers in Mexico should approach the new labour relations environment brought on by the recent legislative reform. The article, published by the Society for Human Resource Management, is accessible here. …

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

The Future Of Work: Insights From Our 2019 Global Employer Forum

By George Avraam on August 20, 2019

We’re in a period of unprecedented transformation, driven by technological development, globalization and significant demographic changes. Our world is hyper-connected, and the pace of change is rapid, bringing social and political transformation and creating profound global shifts in expectations. Global employers must evolve at speed to meet these disruptive forces head-on and to thrive in this future of work. To help you chart your course, we’re delighted to share key messages and insights from our…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Generation Z – What Employers Can Expect With the Next Generation of Workers

By George Avraam on August 9, 2019

We’re pleased to share a recent Bloomberg article by our colleagues, Benjamin Ho and Caroline Pham. Benjamin and Caroline examine what the next generation of workers, Generation Z, want from and can offer employers. To get ahead of the curve in preparing for the change that this new generation will bring, read their informative article here.…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

New Protocol for Unions in Mexico to Legitimize Collective Agreements

By George Avraam on August 6, 2019

Companies doing business in Mexico can anticipate that unions will move quickly to legitimize existing collective agreements under a new government-issued protocol. Among other steps, the process entails a vote by covered employees to determine whether they support the agreement. Collective agreements must be legitimized by May 1, 2023 or they will be terminated. We’re pleased to share a client alert from our Mexican colleagues, New Protocol in Place for Unions to Legitimize Collective Bargaining Agreements…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Sharing our Recent Accolades

By George Avraam on July 29, 2019

We’re delighted to announce that Law360, a leading legal media platform, today named Baker McKenzie at the top of their 2019 Global 20 list, a ranking of the top 20 law firms with the greatest global reach and expertise. During the last year, we have outperformed our competition in the size, breadth and complexity of significant global and cross-border matters, and we’re proud to receive this recognition of our work.…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

A New Age for Mexico’s Labour Law: New Protections for Labour Unions and a New Labour Justice System

By George Avraam on May 1, 2019

We’re pleased to share a timely client alert from our colleagues in Mexico on a significant labour reform approved earlier this week by the Mexican Senate. The reform adds new legislative provisions to secure the rights of freedom of organization, freedom of association and collective bargaining, as well as introducing a new labour justice system to expedite all procedures under the Federal Labor Law of Mexico. As such, the reform is likely to have a profound effect on…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Not Just South of the Border: Canadian Employers Should Expect More Gender-Based Disputes

By George Avraam, Susan MacMillan & Caroline B. Burnett on March 8, 2019

The #MeToo and Times Up movements have led to significant cultural shifts and a collective call to action to end sexual harassment and related forms of exploitation. Since many of the high profile allegations involved abuse of power and quid pro quo demands in the context of employment relationships, the impact on employers has been profound.…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Salary History Bans Sweep The US, While Most Global Efforts To Close The Gap Target Transparency

By George Avraam & Susan MacMillan on March 8, 2019

To mark International Women’s Day, we’re pleased to share an article from our US colleagues on recent efforts to close the gender pay gap, including salary history bans in the US and global efforts toward transparency reporting. The article, authored by Todd Boyer, Caroline Burnett and Elizabeth Ebersole, can be accessed here.…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Introducing The Global Employer Magazine 2019 – Your Guide to Planning for Uncertainty as the New Normal

By George Avraam on February 20, 2019

The world is facing another year of unprecedented change making uncertainty the new normal for global employers. We are watching geopolitical crises play out on the global stage with a global economic slowdown waiting in the wings. Global employers must navigate a course through this highly charged, shifting competitive landscape which is compounded by the challenges presented by increasing regulation, disruptive technologies and an intergenerational workforce which is transforming the world of work. In this…

Canadian Labour and Employment Law

Bill 66 to Result in Cost Savings for Ontario Employers

By George Avraam on January 17, 2019

We’re pleased to share a recent Canadian HR Reporter article, “Bill 66 could have ‘pretty profound’ impact on Ontario employers“, with insight from Andrew Shaw. If passed, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, will amend Ontario’s employment standards, labour relations and pension benefits statutes, among other legislation, to cut business costs and streamline regulatory requirements. In particular, the Bill would eliminate the need for employers to obtain government approval for excess weekly…

George Avraam

Changes to Mexico’s Labor Law Lead Employers to Reconsider CBAs

The Future Of Work: Insights From Our 2019 Global Employer Forum

Generation Z – What Employers Can Expect With the Next Generation of Workers

New Protocol for Unions in Mexico to Legitimize Collective Agreements

Sharing our Recent Accolades

A New Age for Mexico’s Labour Law: New Protections for Labour Unions and a New Labour Justice System

Not Just South of the Border: Canadian Employers Should Expect More Gender-Based Disputes

Salary History Bans Sweep The US, While Most Global Efforts To Close The Gap Target Transparency

Introducing The Global Employer Magazine 2019 – Your Guide to Planning for Uncertainty as the New Normal

Bill 66 to Result in Cost Savings for Ontario Employers

Company

Support

New to the Network