Michael Wills — Partner, Pearsall Marshall LLP
Michael A. Wills is a partner at Pearsall Marshall LLP, practicing in employment law, real estate law, and civil litigation. With more than 25 years of experience representing businesses and individuals across Ontario, Michael is known for his practical advice, strong advocacy, and client-focused approach. He has appeared before all levels of Ontario courts and has built a reputation for balancing rigorous legal analysis with practical solutions.
Practice Focus
- Employment law (wrongful dismissal, discharge and discipline, severance, and workplace policies)
- Real estate transactions (residential and commercial closings, title issues, and financings)
- Civil litigation (contract disputes, estate litigation, and wrongful dismissal)
Professional Background
Michael was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997, after receiving his LLB from the University of Calgary. He also holds a BA in Sociology from Calgary. Since joining Pearsall Marshall LLP, Michael has helped expand the firm’s employment and litigation practices, while maintaining a strong presence in real estate law.
Community Involvement
Committed to community service, Michael has served on local boards, supported youth initiatives, and frequently speaks at seminars on employment and real estate issues. His work reflects a deep connection to Windsor-Essex and its surrounding communities.
Michael A. Wills, LLB, BA, Lawyer
Address:
Pearsall Marshall LLP
#6 2557 Dougall Ave
Windsor, Ontario
N8X 1T5 – Canada
Phone: (226) 259-1129
Alt-Phone: (519) 962-5101
Email: mwills@pearsallmarshall.com
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/
Employment Law: https://willslaw.ca/
Residential Real Estate: https://keepmont.com/
Open Hours:
Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
*Appointment required.
Client Testimonials
I sold my house in Windsor and bought in Sudbury. All the documents were completed with no problems. Any questions I had were quickly and effectively answered. I would highly recommend this firm for any and all legal matters.
– Susan Landry
It was a good experience. Mr Wills was down to
earth and so helpful and patient. He explained the whole process, and everything was transacted on time. Plus we felt comfortable with him! We will certainly use him again in the future.
– Cathy Bukenberger
Took the time to answer all my questions and explained everything in terms I could understand. Always kept me updated. Positive. Professionalism.
– Farah Mohamed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What regions does lawyer Michael Wills serve?
Michael Wills serves clients across Windsor–Essex — Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville, Tecumseh — and the wider Essex County region. He is licensed in Ontario and handles employment, residential real estate, and civil/commercial litigation matters province-wide via secure virtual meetings (video/phone) and e-signature/document exchange, with in-person appointments available at our local offices. If your matter is in Ontario, we can usually assist. Call +1-226-259-1129 or use our contact form to request an appointment.
What legal practice areas does Michael Wills work in?
Michael Wills, Partner at Pearsall Marshall LLP, practices in three core areas: employment law, residential real estate, and civil & commercial litigation. Employment files (for employees and employers) include wrongful/constructive dismissal, severance reviews, employment contracts & workplace policies, human rights applications, and workplace investigations. Residential real estate covers purchases, sales, and refinancing, including agreement/condition review, title & closing coordination, and lender requirements. Civil/commercial litigation matters include contract disputes, shareholder/partnership disputes, debt recovery, and property-related claims. Michael aims for practical, negotiated outcomes and works with the firm’s litigation team when court action is required. Call +1-226-259-1129 or use our contact form to request an appointment.
How can I arrange a consultation with Michael Wills?
Contact Pearsall Marshall LLP to schedule with Michael Wills. He meets clients at our Windsor–Essex offices—Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville, Tecumseh—and offers virtual meetings by request. Michael provides employment, residential real estate, and civil/commercial litigation services across Ontario and has 25+ years of legal experience. Free initial consultations are available in real estate and employment matters. Availability varies. Call +1-226-259-1129 or use our contact form to request an appointment.
Service Areas
Employment Law
Wrongful Dismissal and Termination Claims – Representation for Severance Disputes, Constructive Dismissal, ESA Rights — Providing legal representation in wrongful dismissal and termination claims across Ontario. Services include severance package disputes, constructive dismissal cases, ESA compliance, termination without cause, employer defence, negotiation, litigation, and strategies to protect rights and interests.
Employment Contract Review and Drafting – Agreements, Workplace Policies, Restrictive Covenants, ESA Compliance — Reviewing and drafting employment contracts for Ontario workplaces, including job offers, executive agreements, restrictive covenants, confidentiality clauses, workplace policies, ESA compliance, and enforceability. Services protect employer interests and reduce legal risks while ensuring clarity.
Severance Package Review and Negotiation – Legal Advice on Entitlements, Settlements, and Employer Obligations — Advising on severance packages and termination entitlements under Ontario law. Services include reviewing offers, calculating ESA and common law notice, negotiating improved settlements, advising on employer obligations, mitigating risks, and representing clients in disputes over severance rights.
Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, and Human Rights – Policies, Complaints, Investigations, Tribunal Representation — Advising on workplace harassment, discrimination, and human rights issues in Ontario. Services include policy development, accommodation advice, investigation guidance, complaint resolution, and representation before the Human Rights Tribunal or courts to protect rights and ensure compliance.
Employment Standards Act Compliance – Guidance for Employers and Employees on Hours, Wages, Overtime, Obligations — Advising employers and employees on Ontario ESA compliance, including hours of work, wages, overtime, vacation pay, leave of absence, termination standards, record-keeping and statutory obligations. Services include policy review, compliance strategies, risk reduction and representation in disputes.
Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining – Employer Representation in Union Negotiations, Strike Planning, Agreements — Representing Ontario employers in labour relations and collective bargaining. Services include negotiation of collective agreements, strike or lockout planning, grievance prevention, contract interpretation, policy advice and strategies to manage unionized workplaces while ensuring legal compliance.
Grievance Arbitration and Union Disputes – Employer Advocacy in Arbitration Hearings, Collective Agreement Issues — Advocating for Ontario employers in grievance arbitration and union disputes. Services include preparing cases, interpreting collective agreements, responding to grievances, representing employers in arbitration hearings, advising on discipline, and ensuring compliance with labour law obligations.
Workplace Investigations – Independent or Advisory Services for Misconduct, Harassment, and Policy Breach Matters — Conducting or advising on workplace investigations in Ontario, including harassment, misconduct, policy breaches, and code of conduct violations. Services ensure impartial process, compliance with legal standards, documentation, reporting, and strategies to address findings and reduce liability.
Occupational Health and Safety Matters – Employer Representation in Compliance Reviews, Inspections, Prosecutions — Advising Ontario employers on occupational health and safety matters, including compliance with OHS legislation, workplace inspections, Ministry of Labour orders, accident reporting, due diligence strategies, and defending employers in regulatory charges, investigations, and prosecutions.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Matters – Employer Advice in WSIB Claims, Appeals, and Compliance Obligations — Representing Ontario employers in WSIB matters, including claims, appeals, accident reporting, return-to-work programs, premium assessments, and compliance with workplace safety obligations. Services include strategic advice, documentation, representation at hearings, and risk management.
Plant Closures, Layoffs, and Restructuring – Legal Support for Mass Terminations, Continuity Rights, Transitions — Advising Ontario employers on plant closure, layoffs and workforce restructuring. Services include compliance with ESA and common law obligations, mass termination notice, severance planning, union consultation, successorship rights, continuity of employment issues and strategic transition planning.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status – Guidance on Misclassification, Contracts, Rights, Employer Risk — Advising on independent contractor versus employee classification under Ontario law. Services include contract drafting, reviewing work arrangements, assessing ESA and tax obligations, addressing misclassification risks, protecting worker rights, and guiding employers on compliance and liability.
Real Estate Law (Residential)
Residential Real Estate Closings in Ontario – Legal Counsel for Home, Condo, Private Purchase and Sale Transactions — Providing legal counsel for Ontario residential real estate closings, including homes, condos, private sales, and new builds. Services cover agreement review, title search, mortgage coordination, compliance, and registration to ensure secure, accurate, and timely completion of property transactions.
Home Purchase Legal Services – APS Review, Title Search, Mortgage Coordination, and Closing in Ontario — Advising Ontario buyers on home purchases, including agreement of purchase and sale review, title search, mortgage coordination, requisitions, insurance, compliance with legal requirements, and closing registration to ensure ownership is transferred securely, accurately, and on time.
Home Sale Legal Services – Agreements, Title Requisitions, Mortgage Payouts, and Final Closing for Ontario Sellers — Representing Ontario homeowners in property sales, including agreement preparation, review of requisitions, clearing title, mortgage payout and discharge, compliance with closing requirements, and registration of documents to ensure smooth, timely, and legally compliant transfer to buyers.
Mortgage Refinance Legal Services – Title Review, Lender Coordination, Payout Discharges, and Registration — Handling Ontario mortgage refinancing, including title review, lender coordination, payout statements, mortgage discharges, and registration. Services ensure clear title, compliance with legal requirements, accurate documentation, and smooth refinancing transactions completed on schedule.
Agreement of Purchase and Sale Review – Advice on Private Deals, Builder Agreements, FSBO, and Ontario Contracts — Reviewing agreements of purchase and sale for Ontario property transactions, including private deals, FSBO, and builder contracts. Services include identifying risks, advising on terms, negotiating amendments, ensuring compliance with Ontario law, and protecting client interests before signing.
Land Transfer and Registration – Title Changes, Gifts, Family Transfers, and Ontario Land Transfer Tax Compliance — Managing Ontario land transfers, including title changes, gifts, family transfers, severances, and restructurings. Services cover preparation of transfer documents, land transfer tax compliance, registration with the land registry office, and ensuring accurate, legally valid ownership changes.
Title Search and Review – Identify Liens, Encumbrances, Easements, or Ownership Issues Before Purchase or Refinance — Conducting full Ontario title searches to identify liens, encumbrances, easements or other ownership issues before purchase, sale, or refinance. Services ensure clean title, protect against hidden risks, and provide legal clarity for buyers, sellers, lenders and trustees in real estate transactions.
Title Requisitions and Responses – Prepare and Resolve Objections to Ensure Clear, Compliant Ontario Closings — Preparing and responding to title requisitions for Ontario real estate transactions. Services address defects, objections, encumbrances, and compliance issues, ensuring title is cleared, requirements are met, and closings proceed without delay or dispute for buyers, sellers, and lenders.
Mortgage Payout and Discharge – Remove Existing Mortgages, Clear Title, and Register Discharges With Land Registry — Managing mortgage payouts and discharges in Ontario property sales or refinancing. Services include obtaining payout statements, coordinating with lenders, preparing and registering discharge documents, clearing title, and ensuring compliance with land registry requirements for clean ownership.
Title Insurance Coordination – Select and Implement Coverage for Fraud, Defects, and Hidden Risks in Transactions — Coordinating title insurance for Ontario property transactions, including purchases, sales, and refinances. Services include selecting policies, advising on coverage, protecting against fraud, liens, defects, and hidden risks, and ensuring compliance with lender and legal requirements at closing.
Real Estate Transactions – Legal Support for Purchases, Sales, Title Transfers, Co-Ownership, and Residential Closings — Providing legal support for Ontario real estate transactions, including purchases, sales, title transfer and co-ownership arrangements. Services ensure agreements are properly drafted, titles are clear, taxes and compliance are addressed and residential closings are completed accurately and on time.
Real Estate Law Representation in Ontario – Supporting Buyers, Sellers, and Homeowners With Transactions and Closings — Managing Ontario land transfers, including title changes, gifts, family transfers, severances, and restructurings. Services cover preparation of transfer documents, land transfer tax compliance, registration with the land registry office, and ensuring accurate, legally valid ownership changes.
