WHAT WE DO

Severance Lawyer

Employment lawyers who review severance packages in Toronto and across Canada

Do I Have An Employment Case?

Is your termination package or severance offer fair? Have you been fired or let go? The best way to find out is by having a severance lawyer review your package to see if any further actions could help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

In most situations we offer a free case assessment and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay our legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Other payment options are available upon request.

How a Severance Lawyer Can Help You

If you’ve just been fired, let go, terminated with just cause, or constructively dismissed, you might not know if you're getting a fair deal in your termination pay package or severance offer. Maybe you weren’t offered termination pay, but had a wrongful dismissal and don’t know if you are owed severance or how to calculate your severance pay. You may feel unsure, but we can tell you that you are not alone: Share is There.

When you call Share Lawyers, you will speak with someone who knows employment law and employment rights, knows what you are going through, and can offer you the best possible advice at no cost.

Why should you contact a severance lawyer?

  • It’s free to talk to us.

  • There are no fees unless you win.

  • We arrange for a free assessment to see how we can help you get a fair severance package.

  • We're here to answer all of your questions.

Book a Free Assessment

Everything You Need To Know About Severance

Common employment law issues revolve around the amount of severance pay, not its existence. The two types, statutory and common law severance, often need clarification. Employers in Canada typically offer severance out of obligation, not goodwill.

They aim to buy your signature with tactics, but you hold more leverage than you think. Initial severance offers are usually low, and your employment contract may not limit your entitlement as expected. Always consult a severance lawyer; Share Lawyers offers free assessments to improve your severance offer.

Is My Termination or Severance Package Fair?

In employment law, severance lawyers are negotiators first, and litigators second. This is because the vast majority of cases taken on by employment law firms are settled long before trial. In many ways, everything that happens before a trial is part of the negotiation process for your workplace rights. Below, we’ve listed some helpful details on employment settlements and how they take shape.

Is the Amount Reasonable?

In large part, this question depends on you. We can advise you on what is reasonable, but that amount will fall within a range. Things that commonly affect your entitlement can include:

  • Your age, length of service, and character of employment

  • The wording of your employment contract or agreement

  • The amount of “working notice” or notice period you received

  • The jurisdiction of your employment

  • Your chances of re-employment in a comparable role, and

  • The circumstances of your termination

Every case involves an element of risk. Don't ignore your workplace rights. You need to consider your personal circumstances, which may have little to do with legal considerations.

The “X-Factor” - Re-employment

You must show "reasonable efforts" to find a similar job to receive severance pay. Earnings from a new job during the “notice period” (mitigation earnings) are deducted from wrongful dismissal damages. This incentive can affect early settlements.

For instance, if we claim 12 months of reasonable notice on your behalf, and you start a replacement job earning the same pay 8 months after your termination, your entitlement or workplace rights will be limited to 8 months’ salary in place of notice.

This provides an incentive for you to settle your case early and can have a significant influence on what you wish to settle for.

The Types of Things We Look For in a Settlement in Labour and Employment Law

A settlement is made up of many essential pieces in addition to the award amount. Here are some of the most common things we will look for:

Types and structure of payments


  • The payment structure can lower your tax and liabilities. For example, human rights damages and legal fee contributions are often tax-free.
  • We can also plan strategies to minimize deductions from other income sources, like your LTD insurer (if applicable) or employment insurance, to maximize the money you receive.
Release terms

  • Your employer will want you to sign a release, which prevents you from suing them in the future.
  • The release may contain expansive terms that may inadvertently release other legal rights, like your right to sue your employer for LTD payments.
  • Although hidden under volumes of legalese, the language in release clauses can impose unreasonable requirements on you.
Other terms we might look for

Other non-monetary or quasi-monetary terms we might ask for include the following:
  • Extension of benefit coverage
  • Letters of reference and/or confirmation of employment
  • Confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions
Settlement discussions can include almost any term you could ask for. Money tends to be the most important term for both parties, but it is not the only path to resolution.

I Want What’s Fair, But I Don’t Want To Go to Trial!

We aim to settle your case with a demand letter, but if your employer's offer falls short, you have two choices: drop the issue, or pursue legal action. Our goal is to secure you the best settlement and avoid trial. Filing a claim rarely leads to trial; many steps and settlement opportunities exist before that. Each legal action increases the pressure on your employer to settle.

How much time do I have?

Employment claims are subject to certain time limits. As soon as you have been terminated from your employment or feel that your rights as an employee have been ignored, we encourage you to contact the employment lawyers at Share Lawyers for legal advice and to discuss your case.

Free assessment

We offer a free case assessment regardless of what employment issue you are dealing with, we will review your options—free of charge*. Being informed about the employment process and knowing your rights is essential.
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No fees unless you win your case

We understand your situation and that paying for a severance lawyer can feel out of reach. We are here to help you no matter where you are. That is why there are no upfront costs and no fees unless you win your case. You’re not alone. We believe in your case, so we only get paid when you do.
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Life reBUILDER™

When you work with us, you get guidance and tools to help you. You will become a member of a privileged group of clients with access to our hub, Life reBUILDER™, exclusively from Share Lawyers. It offers six unique services to help rebuild your life and get you back on track, beginning with the expertise of an entire legal team working for you.
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