Susan McBride — Associate, Pearsall Marshall LLP
Susan McBride is an associate lawyer at Pearsall Marshall LLP, practicing in the area of Employment Law. Susan has extensive experience assisting employers in managing WSIB claims costs and appeals, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agricultural Stream), Employment Standards, Human Rights, Disability and Accommodation, best practices, investigations and dealing with difficult people and situations. Susan advocates for proactive best practices and strategies for employers to reduce risk and costs.
Practice Focus
Professional Background
Susan has almost 20+ years experience in employment law and over 30 years of experience working in Human Resources, including leadership development, training, WSIB, Safety and injury/disability management, the temporary foreign worker program (agriculture), Human Rights and accommodation, and proactive policies and legal compliance. As a former senior executive in a large agricultural company, she worked as Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Compliance, overseeing 2300 + people, combining her human resources experience with legal best practices. Susan has been involved in advocacy work regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on behalf of employers.
Community Involvement
Susan is committed to workplace safety and was the Vice Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee at the Workplace and Prevention Services for many years. Susan has also provided services to Probono Lawyers of Ontario – Child Advocacy Project and was previously on the Board of the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County. Susan also volunteers at the Migrant Worker Ministry (Diocese of London) providing advise regarding injured workers and worker rights.
Susan McBride, LLB, BA, Lawyer
Address:
22 Queens Avenue
Leamington, Ontario
N8H 3G8 – Canada
Phone: (519) 326-4415 ext. 310
Email: smcbride@pearsallmarshall.com
Web: https://pearsallmarshall.com/lawyers/susan-mcbride/
Open Hours:
Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
*Appointment required.
Service Areas
WSIB Law
WSIB Claims Management – Employer Guidance from Initial Reporting to Claim Closure — We help employers manage Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims from start to finish. Our team handles accident reporting, objections, benefits disputes, cost relief strategies, and return-to-work compliance to reduce premiums and protect your bottom line.
WSIB Form 7 and Workplace Safety & Insurance Reporting – Employer Filing Assistance — Employers face strict reporting duties under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). We provide hands-on assistance with Form 7 completion, injury reporting, documentation, and timely filing to prevent penalties, protect appeal rights, and control future WSIB claim costs.
Employer Representation at WSIB and WSIAT Appeals – Protecting Your Business Interests — We represent employers in appeals before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). From written objections to full hearings, we defend employer rights, challenge costly decisions, and work to reduce liability exposure.
Return to Work and Work Reintegration – Employer Planning, Meetings, and Compliance — Our WSIB lawyers assist employers with all aspects of return-to-work and work reintegration. We prepare plans, attend WSIB meetings, advise on modified duties, and ensure compliance with re-employment obligations to reduce claim costs and protect workplace operations.
Workplace Accommodation and Re-employment Obligations – Employer Guidance Under WSIB Law — We guide employers through accommodation and re-employment obligations under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and human rights law. We assess restrictions, craft suitable work, attend return-to-work meetings, document compliance, address refusals, and reduce penalties and premiums.
WSIB Cost Relief and Secondary Injury Fund (SIEF) Applications for Employers — We help employers pursue WSIB cost relief, including Secondary Injury and Enhancement Fund (SIEF) applications. Our team reviews medical evidence, prepares submissions, and challenges cost assignments to reduce premiums, shift liability, and protect your business’s financial position.
Experience Rating, NEER, CAD-7 and Premium Rate Assessments – Employer Advocacy — We assist employers with WSIB experience rating issues including NEER, CAD-7, and premium rate assessments. Our lawyers review calculations, prepare objections, and develop strategies to minimize surcharges, maximize refunds, and lower long-term WSIB costs for your business.
Independent Medical Examinations and Functional Abilities Evaluations – Employer Support — We support employers in arranging Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and Functional Abilities Evaluations (FAEs). Our team coordinates assessments, reviews reports, and uses medical evidence to challenge WSIB decisions, confirm work capacity, and control ongoing claim costs.
Physical Demands Analyses, Ergonomic Assessments, and Job Shadowing for WSIB Compliance — We assist employers with Physical Demands Analyses, ergonomic assessments, and job shadowing to meet Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) compliance. These tools help confirm suitable work, support return-to-work plans, reduce disputes, and protect against costly claim penalties.
WSIB / WSIAT Objections and Written Submissions – Employer Advocacy at All Levels of Appeal — We prepare detailed WSIB / WSIAT objections and written submissions on behalf of employers at every appeal stage. From entitlement disputes to cost relief requests, our team builds strong evidence-based arguments to challenge adverse decisions and protect your business from escalating costs.
WSIB Offence Defence – Representation for Employers, Directors, and Supervisors — We defend employers, directors, and supervisors charged with offences under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Our lawyers provide strategic advice, manage investigations, and represent you in proceedings to reduce penalties, safeguard reputations, and ensure fair outcomes.
Employer Classification, Payroll Audits, and WSIB Liability in Business Sales or Restructuring — We advise employers on WSIB classification, payroll audits, and liability issues arising from business sales, asset transfers, or restructuring. Our team ensures accurate assessments, challenges unfair findings, and minimizes ongoing WSIB costs during corporate changes and reorganizations.
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.
