Meghan A. Cowan
-
Toronto
- Bio
- Awards & Recognition
- Professional Involvement
- Representative Matters
- Selected Speaking Engagements
- Selected Publications
- Insights
- Education
Meghan is a member of the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group, Workplace Law Group and Privacy & Data Security Group. She also works with the firm’s municipal accountability team, representing a number of municipalities in Ontario as Integrity Commissioner. Meghan routinely advises on a variety of litigation matters, with a focus on privacy and labour and employment law, including wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights, union certification and labour relations.
Meghan assists clients with their litigation issues by thoroughly examining all aspects of a case and delivering practical solutions. Meghan is a critical thinker and a strong advocate. She frequently writes and speaks on a variety of labour, employment and privacy topics.
Meghan has appeared before several tribunals and courts, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Ontario Employment Standards Branch.
Meghan is Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative Committee.
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada in the field of Labour and Employment Law
Professional Involvement
Memberships
- Canadian/Ontario Bar Association
- The Advocates' Society
- Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE); Chair of CACE Privacy Committee (2023-2025)
Representative Matters
Represented Closing the Gap Healthcare Group Inc. in the sale of all issued and outstanding shares to Extendicare Inc. for $75.5 Million.
Represented a U.S.-based, U.S. private equity-backed global engineered equipment and automation solutions provider to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors in its acquisition of a leading manufacturer of protein processing solutions headquartered in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.
Acted as Canadian counsel to a U.S. private equity firm that invests in technology, business services and industrial companies in its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of a Canadian-based cybersecurity firm and amendments to the fund’s term and asset-based credit arrangements.
Represented a leading global transportation industry manufacturer and supplier as Canadian counsel in its purchase of certain assets of a cross-border privately-owned commercial vehicle, bus and trailer manufacturing business.
Acted as legal counsel to San Cristobal Mining Inc., a private mining company formed under the laws of British Columbia, in its acquisition of Minera San Cristóbal S.A. and all associated assets from Sumitomo Corporation, as well as a related equity financing and two debt financings.
Selected Speaking Engagements
"Update on Employment Law: Trends and Changes in the First Half of 2023," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Webinar, June 21, 2023.
"Work From Home: The New Normal?," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Webinar, March 1, 2023.
"Workplace Vaccinations: Legal Considerations and Recommendations for Employers," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Webinar, May 19, 2021.
“Employment 101 for Startups,” Queen’s Innovation Centre Summer Initiative, July 4, 2019.
“Employment Matters Affecting Startups,” Queen’s Innovation Centre Summer Initiative, June 2018.
"Avoiding a Privacy Breach: How to Train Employees and Contractors," Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy Webinar, October 2017.
"Dealing with the Difficult Employee," Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, April 2017.
"Emerging Issues in Human Rights: Family Status and Transgender Accommodation in Employment," Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, February 2017.
"A Year in Review: Top Issues in Employment Law," Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, January 2017.
"Pay Equity and Women's Economic Empowerment," Aird & Berlis LLP Women in Business Webinar, November 2016.
"Tough Questions, Difficult Answers and Head Scratchers: A&B Workplace Law Lawyers Answer Your Questions," Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, October 2016.
"The Employment Contract: From Marriage to Divorce," Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, September 2016.
"Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) – Updates Since September 2015," Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, September 2016.
“Changing Demographics in the Workplace: How To Manage And Thrive,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, May 2016.
“How Workplace Health, Safety and Privacy Clash and Converge,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, March 2016.
“Medical Marijuana in the Workplace,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, February 2016.
“Top Issues In Employment Law,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, January 2016.
“Issues in Accommodation,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, October 2015.
“Workplace Law Update: What to Watch out For,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, September 2015.
“Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation – Updates Since July 1, 2014,” Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, September 2015.
“Social Media in the Workplace: The Evolution of New Rules and Practices,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, March 2015.
“Attendance Management and Control: An Employer’s Guide,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, January 2015.
“Managing the Discipline and Termination Process: Getting It Right the First Time,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, November 2014.
“Workplace Accommodation and Mental Illness: A New Challenge and Different Approach,” Aird & Berlis LLP Labour & Employment Webinar, September 2014.
“Are You Prepared for Compliance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)?,” Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, May 2014.
Selected Publications
"More on the Duty to Accommodate: Cautionary Tale for Employers," HRD Canada, March 2025.
"Ontario Employment Law Updates: Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 Passes, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Introduced," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, May 2024.
"The Future of Working From Home. You Asked, We Answered," Aird & Berlis LLP, March 2023.
"Mark Your Calendars: Ontario Releases Further Guidance to Employers on Electronic Monitoring Policies," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, July 2022.
“Important Changes to Employers’ Obligations Regarding Violence and Harassment in the Workplace,” co-authored with Cynthia Sefton, Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, December 2015.
“Employment Update: Termination Provisions and the Definition of Severance,” Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, June 2015.
“Recent Developments in the Law of Constructive Dismissal: The Supreme Court of Canada’s Decision in Potter v. New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission,” Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, April 2015.
“Supreme Court of Canada Strikes Down Privacy Law,” co-authored with Paige Backman, Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy Law Bulletin, November 2013.
Insights
Education
- JD (Cum Laude), University of Ottawa, 2012
- MA (International Affairs), Carleton University, 2012
- BA (First Class Honours), University of King's College and Dalhousie University, 2007