
Overview
Susan Garvie is a partner in the Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation and Mergers and Acquisitions Groups at Goodmans.
Susan has a commercial employment law practice in which she assists public and private clients with all employment-related issues including executive employment agreements and compensation as well as all employment aspects of purchase and sale transactions, including employment-related diligence, new hires, transfers and amendments of employment agreements, offers of continued employment, constructive dismissal, workplace reductions, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, restrictive covenants agreements, employment-related and successor employer issues in asset purchase agreements, share purchase agreements and similar transaction documents, collective agreements and unionized employee issues, as well as post-closing employment transition issues. She also advises clients on a broad range of human resources issues, including employment agreements, wrongful dismissals, severance arrangements and releases, employment standards, workplace harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination, COVID-19 safety, screening, testing and vaccination issues and policies, occupational health and safety issues, pay equity issues, diversity and inclusivity initiatives, drug and alcohol policies, disability issues, human rights issues and other employment policies.
Susan also has a transactional practice and has assisted a wide range of clients, both public and private companies, in a variety of merger and acquisition transactions. She has developed strong expertise in Canadian private equity acquisitions and divestitures and cross-border matters, acting for various American clients looking to purchase Canadian companies. She draws on her experience in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate/commercial, financing, restructuring, employment, liquor licensing, and entertainment law to help her clients efficiently complete purchase and sale transactions, co-investments and other business structuring. Her corporate/commercial practice encompasses international mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, commercial contracts, corporate restructurings, and commercial employment law.
Susan has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of corporate law since 2020.
Awards & Recognition
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law 2024
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law 2023
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law 2022
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate and Commercial 2021
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law 2020
Credentials
Credentials
- University of Toronto, LL.B., 1987
- University of Toronto, B.A., 1984
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
Call to Bar
- Ontario
Insights
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Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Bill 27 Prohibition on Non-Competition Clauses in Ontario Employment Contracts Amended to Include Exception for Executives
On November 30, 2021, Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021, received its third reading. Among other changes, the Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) to add a… -
Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Ontario Introduces Legislation Prohibiting Non-Competition Clauses in Employment Contracts and Requiring Right-to-Disconnect Policies for Employees
On October 26, 2021, the Ontario government introduced Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021. Among other changes, the Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) to add a prohibition… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Supreme Court Confirms that Bonuses Under Incentive Plans May be Included in Damages Awarded for an Employer's Failure to Give Reasonable Notice of Termination
In Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that employees terminated without reasonable notice are entitled to payouts they would have otherwise received under incentive… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Recent Ontario Employment-related Decisions Heavily Favour Employees
A number of recent cases decided by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal are changing the likely outcomes of wrongful dismissal litigation in Canada in favour of… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Back to Work in the Wake of COVID-19
This template Back-to-Work Plan sets out basic step-by-step considerations for employers as they look to reopen their physical places of business and welcome workers back to work… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Amendments to Employment Standards Act, 2000 Provide Temporary Relief to Employers From Termination and Severance Obligations due to COVID-19-Related Wage or Hours Reduction
The Government of Ontario recently published Ontario Regulation 228/20 – Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (the “Regulation”), which amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) as it…
News & Events
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Private Equity and Venture Capital
100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada: 2024 Edition
Goodmans is delighted to announce we have been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada with 101 lawyers ranked across 41 practice areas.Congratulations to Harry Radomski… -
Private Equity and Venture Capital
100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada: 2023 Edition
Goodmans is delighted to announce we have been recognized by the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada with 101 lawyers ranked across 41 practice areas.Congratulations to Dale H. Lastman, C… -
100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada: 2022 Edition
We are delighted to announce 100+ Goodmans lawyers have been ranked in the Best Lawyers Canada - 2022 Edition!Congratulations to our partners, Monique McAlister and Neil Sheehy who have both been…