Our
Team
Our dynamic team of lawyers boasts half a century of experience in all aspects of labour law. We exemplify exceptional representation, exclusively in union-side labour and employment law across Canada.
Cindy Watson
Senior Partner
The founder and managing partner of Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. A graduate of the prestigious Osgoode Hall, Cindy is an experienced and respected attorney, and for the past 30 years has specialized in social justice. Cindy is a sought-after trainer and speaker in the corporate arena, helping to build bridges between men and women in order to aid in productivity, communication and heal gender bias. Dedicated to breaking down barriers, securing pay equity and to ending discrimination: Cindy has a proven track record empowering, advocating, and motivating people to become the best version of themselves. She is an international speaker, award-winning author and consultant, known for her passion, commitment and ability to inspire.
The founder and managing partner of Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. A graduate of the prestigious Osgoode Hall, Cindy is an experienced and respected attorney, and for the past 30 years has specialized in social justice. Cindy is a sought-after trainer and speaker in the corporate arena, helping to build bridges between men and women in order to aid in productivity, communication and heal gender bias. Dedicated to breaking down barriers, securing pay equity and to ending discrimination: Cindy has a proven track record empowering, advocating, and motivating people to become the best version of themselves. She is an international speaker, award-winning author and consultant, known for her passion, commitment and ability to inspire.
Riley Palmer, B.A.
Partner
Riley is a Partner at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He is a relentless advocate, dedicated to achieving the best result for his clients. His practice focuses exclusively on labour law, helping Unions fight to achieve their workplace goals. He is a highly skilled litigator, who has had the pleasure of working with Unions at both the provincial and federal level, litigating weekly at arbitrations, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. In addition to litigation, Riley also provides legal advice during collective bargaining and is passionate about protecting worker’s rights through training and education. He has have traveled across the country hosting countless training seminars for Union Stewards, Executive Board members, and Business Agents/Presidents with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Riley is a Partner at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He is a relentless advocate, dedicated to achieving the best result for his clients. His practice focuses exclusively on labour law, helping Unions fight to achieve their workplace goals. He is a highly skilled litigator, who has had the pleasure of working with Unions at both the provincial and federal level, litigating weekly at arbitrations, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. In addition to litigation, Riley also provides legal advice during collective bargaining and is passionate about protecting worker’s rights through training and education. He has have traveled across the country hosting countless training seminars for Union Stewards, Executive Board members, and Business Agents/Presidents with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Maddalena Palazzo
Legal Assistant
Maddy graduated in June 1990 from Retter Business College with a diploma as a Legal Assistant with an honorary award from Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP. In addition to her legal experience, she passionately and successfully grew her own business with the buying and selling of real estate properties along with managing residential/commercial properties as a Property Manager over the past 15 years. Her favored phrase she lives by ‘Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds’ – author unknown.
Maddy graduated in June 1990 from Retter Business College with a diploma as a Legal Assistant with an honorary award from Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP. In addition to her legal experience, she passionately and successfully grew her own business with the buying and selling of real estate properties along with managing residential/commercial properties as a Property Manager over the past 15 years. Her favored phrase she lives by ‘Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds’ – author unknown.
Jade Watson
Legal Assistant
Jade Watson graduated from Trent University with a degree in Gender and Equality in June 2018. She believes that everybody has a right to be treated fairly no matter their sex, sexual orientation, race, or any disabilities one may have.
Jade Watson graduated from Trent University with a degree in Gender and Equality in June 2018. She believes that everybody has a right to be treated fairly no matter their sex, sexual orientation, race, or any disabilities one may have.
Fulvio Evangelista, Licensed Paralegal,
WSIB & WSIAT Consultant
Fulvio is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to representing injured workers. His vast experience in arguing cases before the WSIB Appeals Branch, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and Canada Pension Plan Disability Review Tribunal has resulted in numerous notable decisions for his clients. He is fiercely committed to fighting for those who have suffered due to workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Fulvio is a specialist in advocating for disabled workers and for the survivors and families of deceased workers. By dedicating himself to exclusively representing injured workers, Fulvio is making an indelible impact on their lives and the lives of their families.
Fulvio is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to representing injured workers. His vast experience in arguing cases before the WSIB Appeals Branch, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and Canada Pension Plan Disability Review Tribunal has resulted in numerous notable decisions for his clients. He is fiercely committed to fighting for those who have suffered due to workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Fulvio is a specialist in advocating for disabled workers and for the survivors and families of deceased workers. By dedicating himself to exclusively representing injured workers, Fulvio is making an indelible impact on their lives and the lives of their families.
Imran Rhemtulla
B.A., LL.B (Hons), Masters of Law
Imran is an exceptionally skilled alternate dispute resolution specialist, with a wealth of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. He is always eager to take on new challenges and is determined to achieve success for all his clients. Imran has a keen interest in labor law, as he strongly believes in the principles of fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his free time, he enjoys attending various sporting events, trying out new restaurants, and traveling.
Imran is an exceptionally skilled alternate dispute resolution specialist, with a wealth of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. He is always eager to take on new challenges and is determined to achieve success for all his clients. Imran has a keen interest in labor law, as he strongly believes in the principles of fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his free time, he enjoys attending various sporting events, trying out new restaurants, and traveling.
Elena Simone-Simonetti
WSIB Consultant
Elena graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Social Work, driven by her passion for social justice and equity for all individuals. Her diverse work experience in front-line positions allowed her to gain skills and knowledge, which eventually led to her becoming a Licensed Paralegal and Notary Public after returning to post-secondary education.
With over 17 years of in-house WSIB experience, Elena specializes in Occupational Disease, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Workplace Health and Safety.
Elena graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Social Work, driven by her passion for social justice and equity for all individuals. Her diverse work experience in front-line positions allowed her to gain skills and knowledge, which eventually led to her becoming a Licensed Paralegal and Notary Public after returning to post-secondary education.
With over 17 years of in-house WSIB experience, Elena specializes in Occupational Disease, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Workplace Health and Safety.
Richard Robinson
Paralegal
Olaitan Richard Robinson is a Paralegal Candidate and intern at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He currently possesses a Paralegal Diploma and an Advanced Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Political Science. His background includes experience as a Collections Officer, Research Analyst, Emergency Responder, Student Advisor, Project Developer, and Interviewer.
Olaitan Richard Robinson is a Paralegal Candidate and intern at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He currently possesses a Paralegal Diploma and an Advanced Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Political Science. His background includes experience as a Collections Officer, Research Analyst, Emergency Responder, Student Advisor, Project Developer, and Interviewer.
Richard is extremely self-motivated and focused when faced with challenges that require understanding, investigation, and problem solving. He is also a big fan of tennis.
Olaitan Richard Robinson is a Paralegal Candidate and intern at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He currently possesses a Paralegal Diploma and an Advanced Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Political Science. His background includes experience as a Collections Officer, Research Analyst, Emergency Responder, Student Advisor, Project Developer, and Interviewer.
Olaitan Richard Robinson is a Paralegal Candidate and intern at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. He currently possesses a Paralegal Diploma and an Advanced Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Political Science. His background includes experience as a Collections Officer, Research Analyst, Emergency Responder, Student Advisor, Project Developer, and Interviewer.
Richard is extremely self-motivated and focused when faced with challenges that require understanding, investigation, and problem solving. He is also a big fan of tennis.
Addriana Reffo-Beaudet
Law Student
A second year Dean’s list law student in English Common Law at the University of Ottawa. Coming from an undergraduate degree in sociology she is very interested in social justice initiatives in the legal field such as access to justice issues and women’s rights.
A second year Dean’s list law student in English Common Law at the University of Ottawa. Coming from an undergraduate degree in sociology she is very interested in social justice initiatives in the legal field such as access to justice issues and women’s rights.
Gabriel Volpe
Labour LawyersGabriel Volpe is an articling student at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. After graduating with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Business Management, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law. During his time in law school, he volunteered as a caseworker with Windsor’s Community Legal Aid Program, as well as the Windsor chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada. Gabriel is extremely passionate about effective client focused advocacy and defending worker’s rights.
Meghan Walton
Law Student
A second-year law student studying overseas for her bachelor of law from Swansea University. With an undergraduate degree from Trent University in Gender and Social Justice Studies, with a focus and interest in social justice issues specifically relating to gender identity and expression as well as issues relating to women. During the academic year, she volunteers with her school’s legal clinic which offers free legal advice to students as well as the community. Meghan grew up in a labour household with her parents and grandparents active in both the public sector and trade unions.
A second-year law student studying overseas for her bachelor of law from Swansea University. With an undergraduate degree from Trent University in Gender and Social Justice Studies, with a focus and interest in social justice issues specifically relating to gender identity and expression as well as issues relating to women. During the academic year, she volunteers with her school’s legal clinic which offers free legal advice to students as well as the community. Meghan grew up in a labour household with her parents and grandparents active in both the public sector and trade unions.
Team
Our High Skilled Team Players
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Johnson Doe
Founder & Ceo
Tom Anderson
Developer
Layla Jenifer
Manager
Paul Harrison
Accounts
Tom Anderson
Developer
Tom Anderson
Developer
Layla Jenifer
Manager
Paul Harrison
Accounts
Tom Anderson
Developer
Tom Anderson
Developer
Layla Jenifer
Manager
Paul Harrison
Accounts