Susanne Michele Kathleen Balpataky

Susanne is an experienced commercial litigator and employment lawyer who has practiced at Speigel Nichols Fox LLP since joining the firm in 1991.

Her commercial litigation practice encompasses a broad range of matters including commercial contract disputes, shareholder disputes, negligence and breach of trust claims, mortgage fraud, and fraudulent conveyances, as well as enforcement of creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and insolvency matters, and estate litigation.

Susanne also has extensive expertise in employment law acting for both employers and employees in litigation matters. She also routinely advises her employer clients on day-to-day employment and human resource-related (including Ontario Human Rights Code ) issues and workplace policies with a view to avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation. Her prior experience working at the Ontario Human Rights Commission has proved invaluable in also acting for employer respondents in human rights complaints.

Susanne has written articles and spoken on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace and its impact on employers’ rights and obligations.

Susanne has appeared as lead counsel on matters before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (including the Commercial List, Bankruptcy Court and Estates Court), the Ontario Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Susanne has also ventured on safari and looked deeply and lovingly into the eyes of a giraffe. She did not do the same with the lions.