Ryan P. O'Connor

Ryan O’Connor is an experienced litigator. He maintains a diverse advocacy practice representing clients in areas of civil litigation such as employment, long-term disability, personal injury, insurance, libel and defamation, constitutional law, and appeals. He prides himself on a practical, results-oriented approach to litigation.

Ryan also has an interest in public affairs and public policy, and regularly advises clients in regulatory and compliance matters involving federal and provincial legislation.

Ryan has represented clients before all levels of court in Ontario and the Federal Court of Canada, in mediations and arbitrations, and before bodies such as the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, the Social Security Tribunal of Canada, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Employment Law and Disability Law

In his employment and long-term disability law practice, Ryan exclusively represents employees facing workplace challenges. He assists clients with all aspects of workplace disputes including:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Constructive dismissal
• Workplace bullying and harassment
• Employment Insurance
• Severance package reviews and negotiations
• Human Rights and discrimination
• Denial of workplace benefits
• Failure to pay wages and commissions on time

Clients also regularly retain Ryan before workplace challenges lead to dismissal, so that clients can better protect their interests while on the job.

Personal Injury and Insurance

In his personal injury and insurance practice, Ryan has resolved thousands of cases for seriously-injured persons over his career, and has successfully represented clients in court and tribunal proceedings at trial, arbitration, hearings, and appeals. He regularly represents injured victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, snowmobile accidents, slip and falls, and assaults.

As a dog owner and lover himself, Ryan knows that that there are no bad dogs, but there can be bad dog owners. Over the last several years, as dog ownership has skyrocketed, so too has the number of inexperienced dog owners. Ryan represents victims of serious dog bites and helps to hold dog owners and their home insurers accountable where the public is harmed.

Libel and Defamation

In his libel and defamation practice, Ryan represents both private and high-profile Canadians who wish to protect their personal reputation. As an avid social media user himself, Ryan focuses on cyberlibel cases, where his clients face reputational harm from other internet users. He prides himself on obtaining quick retractions and apologies for his clients, and also protects his clients’ interests in court where offending parties require further accountability.

COVID-19 Legal Issues

Over the last several years, Ryan has developed a unique forte in litigation arising from COVID-19. He is one of the few lawyers in Ontario who regularly and successfully has represented small businesses facing closures, individuals facing ArriveCAN and travel-related fines, students deregistered from university, employees facing layoff or termination because of mandates or business closures, individuals suffering from COVID-related disabilities, and Canadians facing fines or prosecution for asserting their constitutional rights and freedoms.

Media

Ryan believes it is important that lawyers communicate regularly with the public about the law and how the law impacts them. He regularly appears on television, radio, online media, and in newspapers, commenting on legal matters in relation to his practice.

After Hours

Outside of his law practice, Ryan enjoys politics, skiing, reading, gardening, barbecuing, and travelling.