Passionate Advocacy. Compassionate Service.

Standing firmly by your side, every step of the way.

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A human-centered approach that goes beyond the paperwork.

When it comes to mistreatment in the workplace, we understand the emotional toll it can take on our clients – that’s why we’re steadfast in our mission to empower all of the individuals we work with.

Who do we work with?

Employees
Regulated Professionals
Contractors
Union Workers
& Select Employers

While our primary focus is on representing employees, our deep understanding of employee advocacy gives us a unique advantage when advising employers.

Did you know?

  • 500,000

    employees are unable to work every week due to mental health problems or illnesses.


    Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada. The workplace is a huge contributing factor to workers’ mental health troubles. Working adults spend the majority of their waking hours on the job. For many, work is a source of wellbeing, an opportunity to be productive and contribute to society. For a significant number of others, work can be a source of stress that leads to poor mental health and/or the place where mental illness can manifest. (CAMH, Workplace Mental Health – A Review and Recommendation, 2020).

  • 47%

    of women reported ever experiencing some form of harassment or sexual assault in the workplace.


    The largest proportion of women reported ever experiencing inappropriate sexualized behaviours in a workplace setting (44%), followed by discriminatory behaviours (20%) and sexual assault (13%). (Statistics Canada, 2024).

  • 21%

    of those who experience workplace bullying or harassment are silenced by NDAs.


    Enduring a culture of silence, victims experience lasting mental health consequences while also impeding the transformation necessary to address this toxic workplace behavior. (Can’t Buy My Silence, 2021).

    Join the movement →

How we can help

We advocate for you.
We challenge the status quo.
We amplify unheard voices.

Your allies in advocacy

  • Sophie Purnell

    Founding Lawyer

  • Stephanie Barron

    Employment & Human Rights Lawyer

  • Benyat Abdulwahab

    Employment & Human Rights Lawyer

  • Tong Jun (Roger) Zhang

    Employment Lawyer (Contractor)

  • Lily Bauer

    Legal Assistant & Office Administrator

  • Tanya Selirio

    Business Operations Coordinator

  • "Sophie is an exceptional lawyer. Her passion in the causes she supports is reflected in her robust track record of creating a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients. She was able to obtain incredible out-of-the-box results for me."

    — A.Z.

  • “Thank you so much for everything you have done to advocate for us when we were at the lowest point of our lives. We will never forget your kindness and compassion during this time. We will miss you; you are more than just a lawyer to us... you're a friend.”

    – A.A

  • “Stephanie and the team at Purnell Employment Law delivered excellent service and excellent sensitivity around my employment situation. I am beyond happy with my experience and I felt very confident having Stephanie and the team in my corner. I'd highly recommend using Purnell Employment Law.”

    – S.B

  • "Sophie is thoughtful, well spoken, and cares for my outcome as much as I do… I would 100% recommend her."

    – S.W

  • "I was not sure if I needed a lawyer's help, but I am glad that I asked for one. Sophie was professional, informed and very kind. She helped me get the outcome that I was hoping for."

    — B.L.

  • "Thank you Stephanie & Sophie for your support. I am glad that you both provided such great guidance. "

    – L.K

  • "This whole process was really eye opening and trying. I had no doubts in your ability to see this through. I'm happy that my former colleague pointed me in your direction."

    — J.S.

  • "Thank you so much for your expertise and support. I would not have been able to get through this ordeal without legal support and I feel like you went above and beyond. Especially listening to me during moments of stress and anxiety. "

    — M.P.

  • "Thank you for being my advocate over these past three years; and as a result of your hard work and dedication, my family just received closure and a very positive Christmas result."

    — C.A.

Featured in the media

What happens when you reach out to us?

  • Understanding Your Concerns

    Our helpful intake coordinators will gather necessary information like your employer’s name and a brief overview of your workplace concerns. We will then schedule a time for you to meet with our experienced lawyers, either in-person or virtually. This meeting is an opportunity for us to better understand your situation and explore how we can support you. To ensure we're prepared to help, our Intake Coordinators may ask you to send relevant documents about your workplace matter for our lawyers to review before the consultation.

  • Consultation

    During your consultation, you will meet with one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers. Before the consultation, your lawyer will carefully review your file and may conduct preliminary legal research if needed. This ensures we're prepared to discuss your case. During our hour-long consultation, we'll attentively listen to your concerns, offer legal advice, and address questions or concerns you may have. After our initial meeting, we may require additional documents before completing our legal assessment.

  • Moving Forward Together

    While some find clarity after a single consultation, many clients benefit from ongoing support. If you need continued assistance, we will provide you with our retainer agreement detailing our services, fees, and other terms. We will advocate for you every step of the way, offering our expertise and advice as someone who is truly on your side.

Reach out.

Speak your truth. We’ll make sure it’s heard.