Alex St. John (He/Him)

Lawyer

CONTACT INFORMATION

astjohn@wrighthenry.ca
416 306 8274
Linkedin

EDUCATION

Call to the Bar, 2017
Western University, J.D., 2016

MEMBERSHIPS

Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
Ontario Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association

Alex’s sound judgment, determination and work ethic provide clients with guidance, clarity and confidence while navigating complex problems. He is just as capable of negotiating a fair resolution for his clients as he is at litigating cases in an efficient and practical manner to ensure a just result.

Alex practices primarily in the areas of civil litigation, labour law and insolvency law. He has represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario, at the Ontario Labour Relations Board and in labour-arbitration proceedings.

Alex earned a J.D. from the Faculty of Law at Western University in 2016. During his studies he worked as a supervisor at Community Legal Services and represented clients before the Ontario Court of Justice, Small Claims Court, Landlord and Tenant Board, and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Alex also volunteered as a case manager with the Sport Solution Clinic, where he supervised a team of students and supported Canadian national team athletes in team selection and athlete funding disputes, including drafting submissions for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.

Recent Representative Work

Protecting Pensions and Workers in Distressed Companies

Alex was co-counsel to United Steelworkers Local 2251 (along with Tracey Henry and Michael Wright) in the comprehensive restructuring of Essar Steel Algoma Inc. under the CCAA which included implementation of revised collective agreements and pension relief through complex legislative and regulatory mechanisms. Alex was also co-counsel to Labourers International Union of North America, Local 183 in their successful intervention and support of an appeal about the priority of construction trust claimants in insolvency proceedings. The decision provides important protections for construction trust claimants, which frequently include employees and benefits funds.

Strengthening Rights for Non-unionized Employees

Alex was co-counsel to the Plaintiff in Cormier v. St. Joseph Communications, a motion for summary judgment in which the Plaintiff was successfully awarded wrongful dismissal damages and unpaid wages. Alex was co-counsel (working with Michael Wright) in the representation of a senior airline executive whose severance payments were terminated as a result of his former employer’s corporate restructuring. Alex and Michael won a critical pre-trial motion which ultimately led to the successful resolution of the claim.

Alex was also co-counsel to the Plaintiff in Walmsley v. Blyth Academy, a class action in which the Plaintiff seeks minimum wage, vacation pay, and holiday pay on behalf of hundreds of teachers who the Plaintiff alleges were misclassified as independent contractors.

Defending Unions and Getting Workers Back to Work

Alex (along with several co-counsel including Tracey Henry and Danielle Stampley), successfully represented Teamsters Local Union 938 in injunction proceedings brought against them. Alex and the team persuaded the Court to accept the Union’s position and permit peaceful picketing with reasonable restrictions. This successful outcome led directly to constructive and efficient bargaining of a new collective agreement, which was supported almost unanimously by the members.

Here to Help

Enlist objective advice and committed legal representation. Whatever your challenge—no matter how fundamental or involved—Wright Henry will help you navigate the shoals and arrive at the best possible destination. We offer wide-ranging expertise and a proven record of success.