Our Team
Deborah Hudson*
Since 2008, Deborah has practiced law exclusively in the areas of labour and employment. Between 2007 and 2008, she articled at a prominent downtown management-side labour and employment law firm. She then worked there as an associate lawyer from 2008 until 2015 where she honed her skills understanding all aspects of labour and employment law. In 2015, Deborah moved to one of Toronto’s preeminent boutique workplace law firms to further develop her skills as a litigator, advocate and workplace investigator. In 2019, Deborah started her own practice, opening Hudson Law. In 2021, Deborah joined forces with Alex to found Hudson Sinclair LLP.
Deborah provides her clients with practical, timely and highly specialized legal advice. She regularly advises both employers and employees in relation to matters occurring at all stages of the employment relationship, including:
- Reviewing/drafting employment contracts
- Drafting/ interpreting employment-related policies and procedures
- Advising on medical accommodation matters
- Providing advice in relation to workplace investigations and human rights matters
- Assisting in all levels of progressive discipline
- Drafting/reviewing termination packages
Deborah values the importance of early and productive resolution discussions when beneficial and appropriate. In circumstances where resolution is not achievable or advantageous, Deborah advocates on behalf of her clients in all legal forums. Deborah 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.
Deborah also conducts workplace investigations as an external, independent investigator relating to various workplace circumstances and allegations including: harassment/bullying, human rights matters, privacy breaches and fraud.
*practising as a professional corporation.
Representative cases
- MVT Canadian Bus, Inc. v Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1775, 2018 CanLII 57405 (ON LA) established just cause on behalf of a unionized employer, thereby upholding the termination of the Grievor’s employment for engaging in racist conduct while operating a bus that provided public transit.
- MVT Canadian Bus, Inc. v Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1775, 2018 CanLII 40489 (ON LA) successfully argued on behalf of an employer that their video surveillance evidence should be admissible as evidence at arbitration
- Scharff v. Sears Canada Inc., 2017 ONSC 6757 (CanLII) successfully argued on behalf of the plaintiff/employee, that he was entitled to $765,395 USD in damages, due to his wrongful dismissal by Sears Canada (including an unsubstantiated allegation of just cause).
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
- Cst. James Ebdon v. Durham Regional Police Service, 2020 ONCPC 5 (CanLII) successful on appeal from a decision of a hearing officer pursuant to the Police Services Act
- Decision No. 2203/19, 2020 ONWSIAT 133 (CanLII) successful appeal on behalf of an employer from a decision from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board finding that an individual was a “worker” of the employer, not an “independent operator”.
- Render v. ThyssenKrupp Elevator (Canada) Limited, 2019 ONSC 7460 (CanLII) established just cause on behalf of an employer in response to an employee’s claim of wrongful dismissal.
- Durham Regional Police Service v. Sowa, et. Al., 2019 ONSC 1902 (CanLII) successful application for judicial review of a decision from the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
- Durham Regional Police Association v Durham (Regional Police Services Board), 2019 CanLII 14690 (ON LA) achieved denial of grievance on behalf of police services board in grievance relating to job evaluation system
- Matthysse v. Cobourg Police Services Board, 2019 HRTO 253 (CanLII) succeed in opposing the adding of a proposed respondent to an application before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
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.