Executive Summary
Soma is a leading employment lawyer in Canada. She has built her reputation as a fixer, working diligently and strategically to represent both management and employees alike. Her results speak for themselves. In 2025, she was awarded a regular biweekly column in the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper, cementing her role as a trusted public voice on employment law. She is also a go-to source for Canadian media commentary on the subject.
Soma represents companies and executives in all areas of employment law including wrongful and unjust dismissal, human rights, harassment, rightsizing of workforces, employment and consulting agreements, employment policies, human rights issues, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and privacy law issues. She is regarded as a leading expert when conducting harassment and discrimination investigations for various municipalities and corporations. She also regularly assists organizations with in-house training on workplace compliance. Her litigation practice is equally notable and encompasses numerous high-profile cases including her role as lead counsel to Air India at the landmark Air India Inquiry.
Soma is one of the most powerful voices in employment law and is a prolific and widely respected academic author. Her works include the Halsbury’s Laws of Canada volume on Discrimination and Human Rights, 670 pages (LexisNexis; 2022, with a 2026 re-issue), the Halsbury’s Laws of Canada volume on Employment Law, 884 pages (LexisNexis; 2023 reissue), and the Employment Equity Manual (Carswell). Her influence also extends into the development of the law itself. She co-drafted the original “Rules of Practice” for the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and assisted in drafting the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct governing mediation in addition to numerous other academic publications.
Soma led and contributed to several high-profile investigations, including one involving the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. She has represented significant members of society including CEOs, senators, and government officials in highly sensitive matters both nationally and internationally.
Soma is an advocate and trusted advisor whose impact reaches far beyond the courtroom. Her reputation for precision and results has made her the go-to lawyer for complex, high-stakes workplace disputes where her legal acumen delivers exceptional outcomes. Her ability to navigate both sides of the employment relationship has positioned her as a formidable force in shaping effective resolutions at the highest levels.
Expertise
- Employment and Labour
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Training Programs and Policy Work
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Articles and Presentations
Presentations and Media Highlights
- Presented at a Consulegis conference on recent legal changes requiring greater transparency from employers regarding pay arrangements and practical ways to prepare clients for the new regulations Sofia, Bulgaria – (May 2026)
- Participated in a Consulegis panel discussion on how the Trump administration’s policies have changed the economy, trade, and industrial policies in the Americas – (April 2026)
- Co-chaired an MSI SIG conference on remote work and impact of AI on the workplace – (January 2026)
- Presented on labour law and compliance issues for in-house counsel with assistance from Max Ray-Ellis, Lucerne, Switzerland – (May 2025)
- Presented on wage transparency laws, New Orleans, the United States of America – (January 2025)
- Presented at a Global Law conference on the relationship between Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and employment law, Vancouver, Canada – (June 2024)
- Presented on hybrid employees and digital nomads, Majorca, Spain – (May 2023)
- Chaired a discussion on “The Role of A.I. in Law and Accounting”, Bucharest, Romania – (May 2023)
- Published article on the topic of “Doing Business in Canada,” for the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Daily Newspaper – (November 2025)
- Interviewed by CTV Toronto at the BlackNorth Initiative Gala – (September 2025)
- Published article on the topic of “Ontario Court of Appeal upholds ‘just cause’ termination clause”, published by Law360 Canada – (June 2025)
- Interviewed by CP24 on the Hudson’s Bay stores closing across the country, and its impact on employees – (June 2025)
- Interviewed by CP24 on Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly’s return after being suspended for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy – (August 2024)
- Interviewed by CTV Toronto on workers’ high-rise rescue and safety concerns surrounding the incident – (June 2024)
- Interviewed by CP24 on Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes conviction being overturned – (April 2024)
- Halsbury’s Laws of Canada – Employment (2023 Reissue). This title covers employment law topics such as human rights legislation, employment standards, obligations and duties of the employee, and more
- Presented at the Commercial List Users’ Committee conference – (September 2022)
- Chaired Consulegis Global Panel Discussion in Dublin, Ireland on “Employment Trends in Canada during Covid-19” – (September 2022)
- Panelist at MSI International Conference on the topic of “Covid protocols in Canada” – (March 2022)
- Chaired online Consulegis Global Panel on “Employment Trends in Canada during Covid-19” – (February 2022)
- Published volume for Halsbury’s Laws of Canada (674 pages), on Discrimination and Human Rights, LexisNexis, 2022
- Panelist at Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers on the topic of “Biggest Mistakes Senior Counsel Has Made” – January 2021
- Published article on the topic of “Termination clauses continue to be under judicial scrutiny in Ontario”, published by Law Times – (June 2021)
- Interviewed by CBC National News: The National on the topic of Canadian law as it applies to privacy concerns when employers require their employees to install geo-tracking on their personal mobile phone – (April 2021)
- Interviewed by The Toronto Star on the topic of “People are scared of coming to work’: CIBC employees say they want to work remotely following COVID-19 outbreak at Yonge Street call centre” – (March 2021)
- Interviewed by CBC News, “Why err on the side of caution as COVID-19 looms in health-care workplaces”– (July 2020)
- Keynote Speaker, “Managing the Return to Work in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic What Canadian Employers Need to Know” (Mondaq, webinar) – (July 2020)
- Interviewed by Stephen LeDrew on The LeDrew Three Minute Interview, “What Is Your Employer Legally Required to Do During COVID-19” – (July 2020)
- Published article on the topic of “A Covid-19 Lay Off May Not Be Termination”, in Labour Notes published by LexisNexis – (May , 2020)
- Panel speaker during Q & A on Cross Country Check Up with CBC Radio on the topic of “COVID-19 and how it has disrupted your job” – (March 2020)
- Participated during Q & A hosted by The Toronto Star on the topic of “Workers’ Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic” – (March 2020)
- Interviewed on CP24 on the topic of “the Harvey Weinstein Conviction and it’s impact on workplace issues” – (February 2020)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon and discusses #MeToo, the law and how it played a significant role in the executive departures at McDonald’s – (November 2019)
- Participated in a Global meeting of Lawyers in Asumain, Paraguay discussing issues of “Effective Marketing Legal Services in the Electronic Age” – (October2019)
- Presented at University of Toronto, Faculty of Law on the topic of “#MeToo Movement and Risk Management” – (September 2019)
- Interviewed by Advocate Daily on the topic of “Societal shift a remedy for gender discrimination” – (September 2019)
- Interviewed by Advocate Daily on the topic of “Toxic workplaces a ‘lose-lose’ proposition for employers” – (July 2019)
- Interviewed by Advocate Daily on the topic of “Progressive discipline vital in just-cause terminations” – (June 2019)
- Interviewed by Advocate Daily, on the topic of “Despite #MeToo, workplace sexual harassment persists” – (May 2019)
- Interviewed on CBC Radio’s Ontario Today, “Secret recordings at work” – (April 2019)
- Published in The Toronto Star on the topic of “Can employees record conversations in the workplace?” – (April 2019)
- Interviewed on CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup, “Jody Wilson-Raybould’s secret SNC Lavalin recordings” – (March 2019)
- Interviewed on The John Oakley Show, 640 Toronto, “Top 10 Office Party Don’ts” – (December, 2018)
- Interviewed on CBC News, “How ready are employers for making rules surrounding legal pot? An employment lawyer tells us guidelines are all over the map”– (October, 2018)
- Interviewed on CP24, “Employer responsibilities and Canada’s cannabis legalization” – (October, 2018)
- Published in The Globe and Mail on the topic of “Employer readiness ahead of cannabis legalization” – (October, 2018)
- Interviewed on CBC News, “Cannabis legalization – are employers ready?” – (October, 2018)
- Interviewed on CP24, “Are employers ready for the coming legalization?” – (October, 2018)
- Interviewed on CBC News, “’I feel betrayed by my company’: TTC subway operator barred while using medicinal cannabis” – (September 2018)
- Interviewed on CBC News, “Canada’s legalization and its impact on employer/employee rights” – (September, 2018)
- Interviewed on CP24, “Legalization of cannabis and employer/employee rights” – (September, 2018)
- Interviewed on CTV News, “New Metrolinx policy ensures employees are ‘Fit For Duty’” – (September, 2018)
- Interviewed on Global News, “How Organizations Are Dealing With Sexual Misconduct Allegations” – (November, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24, “Sexual misconduct outings ‘a revolution’” – (November, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, “Sexual assault and harassment and settlements. Is it hush money?” – (October, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, “Sears’ CCAA application” – (July, 2017)
- Interviewed on CBC Newsworld, “The rights of employees in the event of a CCAA application” – (Summer, 2017)
- Interviewed on Global TV, “The Effect of Legalization of Marijuana in the Workplace” – (April, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, together with client, James Barker, the former General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts, “James Barker’s departure from the Argos” – (February, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, “Professional firefighters ‘double hatting’ as volunteers in smaller communities” – (January, 2017)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, about client “Mathieu Chantelois, the immediate last Executive Director of Pride Toronto’s resignation and subsequent controversy including issues involving Black Lives Matter” – (August, 2016)
- resented at a Global Conference of Lawyers in Shanghai, China on the topic of “The Use Of Social Media To Educate People On Employment Related Rights” – (October, 2016)
- Presented at the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Conference on the topic of “Employment Law 101: Sex, Drugs and Money” – (October, 2016)
- Presented at a Global Conference of Lawyers in Milan, Italy on the topic of “Enforceability of Non-Competition Covenants” – (May, 2016)
- Presented at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s The Six-Minute Employment Lawyer on the topic of “Breaches of the Employment Standards Act, 2000” – (May, 2016)
- Interviewed on CTV National News with Katie Simpson, “Hydro One employee terminated upon making sexist comments on television” – (May, 2015)
- Interviewed on CP24 Live@Noon with Stephen LeDrew, “Can what you do in your personal life cost you your job?” – (May, 2015)
- Presented at a Global Conference of Lawyers in Cape Town, South Africa on the topic of “Effectiveness of Non-Competition Clauses in Employment Contracts” – (October, 2015
- Published Halsbury’s Laws of Canada volume on Employment Law, 785 pages (Lexis Nexis; 2015)
Articles
- Legal insider guide to Toronto, International Bar Association (IBA) - 11/5/2025
- IBA Daily Newspaper - Doing Business in Canada, International Bar Association (IBA) - 11/4/2025
- Ontario Court of Appeal upholds ‘just cause’ termination clause, Law360 Canada - 6/10/2025
- Canada's DEI wasn't built on quotas; it will avoid US-style backlash, says discrimination lawyer, Canadian Lawyer Magazine - 4/8/2025
Media
Soma Ray-Ellis speaks about the BlackNorth Initiative at its annual gala
Soma Ray-Ellis - Hudson's Bay Closures Impact on Employees (CP24)
Soma Ray-Ellis speaks to CP24 on Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly's return after suspension
Soma Ray-Ellis speaks to CTV Toronto on workers' high-rise rescue
Soma Ray-Ellis is interviewed live on air by CP24 re: Harvey Weinstein
Soma Ray-Ellis - Employer Responsibilities & Cannabis (CP24)
Soma Ray-Ellis - Employer Readiness & Cannabis Legalization (CBC News)
Soma Ray-Ellis CBC News - Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Soma Ray-Ellis CTV News - Go Transit/Metrolinx
Soma Ray-Ellis Global News - Go Transit/Metrolinx
Soma Ray-Ellis CP24 - Starbucks Scalding Water Case
Soma Ray-Ellis CP24 - Tim Horton's Worker Clawbacks
Soma Ray-Ellis Global News - Tim Horton's Worker Clawbacks
Soma Ray-Ellis's Global News - How Organizations Are Dealing With Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Soma Ray Ellis' CP24 Live - Sexual misconduct outings ‘a revolution’
Soma Ray Ellis' CP24 Live at Noon - Settlements in harassment cases not 'hush money'
Soma Ray-Ellis's CBC News interview on the rights for Sears Canada employees
Soma Ray Ellis' CP24 Live at Noon - Political analysis and call-in -Bankruptcy puts Sears employees in peril
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 interview with the Argos' GM
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 interview on charges facing firefighters
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 interview on the ex-Pride director and the allegations
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 News interview about the Jian Ghomeshi trial decision
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 News interview about Toronto city and labour union talks
Soma Ray-Ellis's Global News interview on legalizing pot Public perceptions
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 News interview about employee rights when getting paid in cash
Soma Ray-Ellis's CP24 interview about employee comments on social media
Soma Ray-Ellis's CTV News interview about employee comments outside of work
Soma Ray-Ellis's City TV News interview about Uber drivers
Soma Ray-Ellis's Live at Noon interview about Jian Ghomeshi on CP24
Soma Ray-Ellis talks about Jian Ghomeshi on CP24
Soma Ray-Ellis talks about Gene Jones on CP24
Soma Ray - Ellis talks Teachers Strike on Global News
Soma Ray - Ellis talks Teachers Strike on CP-24
Soma Ray - Ellis talks about cost of firing TTC GM Gary Webster on CP-24
My Blog
Board Memberships
- Toronto Philharmonia
- The Haliburton Club (in support of Scouts Canada)
- The South Asian Bar Association
- GS1
Recognition
- Business Leadership Award (Women Entrepreneurs of Canada)
Lawyer of the Year (SABA) - Recognized by Post City Magazine as one of Toronto’s Best Labour & Employment Lawyers
- Elected Chair, Employment Law Group, Consulegis
- Elected Co-Chair, Employment Law Group, MSI