Our Team

Deborah Hudson*

Deborah serves as the managing partner of the firm, bringing a wealth of experience, having practiced exclusively in the area of labor and employment law since her call to the bar in 2008.

 

Clients trust Deborah for practical and highly specialized legal advice. She routinely advises both employers and employees on matters arising at all stages of the employment relationship, including:

  • Reviewing/drafting employment contracts
  • Drafting/interpreting employment-related policies and procedures
  • Advising on women’s rights, including working parents and parental leave
  • Advising on medical accommodation matters
  • Providing guidance on workplace investigations and human rights matters
  • Assisting in all levels of progressive discipline
  • Drafting/reviewing termination packages
  • Conducting and advising on workplace investigations

Deborah dedicates a substantial portion of her time to advocating for women’s workplace rights, especially those of working mothers. She offers consistent counsel on pregnancy and parental leave matters, delivering expert guidance on all related aspects, and often provides assistance and advocacy for the Moms at Work Group.  

 

Deborah emphasizes the importance of early and constructive resolution discussions when beneficial and appropriate. In cases where resolution is not attainable or advantageous, Deborah represents her clients vigorously in all legal forums. She has appeared as counsel before various courts and tribunals, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Tax Court of Canada, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

 

In addition to her employment law practice, over the past decade Deborah has distinguished herself as an authority in conducting workplace investigations, serving as an impartial external investigator across various sensitive scenarios, including harassment, bullying, human rights issues, privacy breaches, and fraud allegations. Additionally, she frequently presents as a guest speaker for the Queen’s University IRC programs, sharing insights on workplace investigations.

 

Outside of practicing law, Deborah enjoys practicing yoga, working out at Barry’s Bootcamp and spending time with her husband, daughter and rescue dog. 

*practising as a professional corporation.

Representative cases

Alex Sinclair*

Alex practises in all areas of labour and employment law

Alex is a tenacious advocate. He has appeared at all levels of Court in Ontario and at the Federal Court of Appeal. He regularly represents clients before administrative tribunals including labour arbitrations, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Coroner’s Inquests, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

Alex has particular experience representing police chiefs and police services boards. He has been appointed on many occasions as a prosecutor in police disciplinary matters and under Codes of Conduct for First Nations Police Services. Alex has appeared numerous times before the Ontario Civilian Police Commission both on appeals as well other types of proceedings. Alex has also appeared before the Divisional Court on numerous applications for judicial review involving police labour relations issues.

Alex is also a seasoned workplace investigator. He is regularly retained to act as an independent investigator with respect to a variety of allegations including workplace harassment and bullying, sexual harassment, Code of Conduct violations and conflicts of interest. Alex also provides workplace investigation and human rights training and is often asked to speak at conferences and seminars about these issues. Alex has experience handling challenges in investigations such as conflicting accounts, tight timelines, and sensitive situations in workplaces of various size and in various sectors. 

 

Alex brings his strong analytical skills to each investigation. He solves problems practically and efficiently.

Alex articled and worked as an associate at a prominent management-side labour and employment law firm (where he met Deborah). He subsequently worked for approximately eight years at another labour and employment boutique where he became a partner. In 2021, Alex and Deborah teamed to found Hudson Sinclair LLP.

 

Outside of practising law Alex is an avid skier and an ever hopeful fan of the Blue Jays.

*practising as a professional corporation.

Representative cases

Oscar Moody*

Oscar is a litigation lawyer specializing in labour and employment law, professional discipline, and civil and commercial litigation.

 

Oscar is a problem solver. He is a strategic negotiator who leverages his extensive knowledge of the law to achieve favourable and expedient results for his clients. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, Oscar relishes the opportunity to aggressively advocate on behalf of his clients in the courtroom. He has an excellent track record before Ontario’s courts and tribunals, including as counsel at trial and on motions and applications.

 

Oscar is a trusted advisor to employers and employees on all issues arising out of the employment relationship, including:

  • Wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal
  • Compliance with employment standards
  • Drafting and reviewing employment contracts and workplace policies
  • Workplace investigations
  • Human rights issues
  • Wrongful competition and breach of fiduciary duties by departing employees
  • Employee theft and fraud
  • Occupational health and safety

Oscar also acts as prosecutor in police disciplinary hearings under the Police Services Act and in regulatory proceedings under the Provincial Offences Act.

 

Oscar received his Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Prior to law school, Oscar received his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University, where he graduated with First Class Honours and was on the Dean’s List throughout his studies.

Sarah Maude

Sarah is a labour and employment lawyer with Hudson Sinclair LLP. Sarah provides clients with advice and representation in the public and private sectors on a wide range of labour, employment and human rights issues. Her practice also extends to privacy, information, and data security matters. Sarah is a trusted advocate and has represented her clients before the courts, human rights tribunals, and labour relations boards.

 
Sarah takes a strategic and pragmatic approach to resolving client issues. In particular, she regularly advises clients on issues including:

  • Employment contracts and policies
  • Employment standards, human rights, and accommodation
  • Workplace investigations
  • Organizational restructuring, lay-offs, and termination
  • Wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal
  • Privacy and data protection law and compliance
  • Management and response of data security and privacy incidents
  • Freedom of information requests and appeals

Prior to joining Hudson Sinclair LLP, Sarah articled and worked as an associate at a boutique management-side labour and employment law firm, where she was a member of the firm’s litigation and privacy practice groups. In this role, Sarah gained valuable experience assisting employers with human relations issues and workforce management at all stages of the employment lifecycle.

 

Sarah obtained her Juris Doctor from Western University, where she graduated with distinction and was the recipient of Western’s Award in Labour Law. While at Western, she actively participated Pro Bono Student Canada projects, competed advocacy competitions, was an intern with Western’s Dispute Resolution Clinic.