Nicola Elizabeth Simmons

I am a strong advocate for our clients. I use a problem-solving approach to achieve positive, innovative and practical solutions to address legal issues that are often very complex.

Nicola has a broad administrative law and advocacy practice, which includes human rights, human resources , privacy, civil litigation, and commercial disputes. She also provides counsel in respect of a variety of legal issues specific to the education sector, including student discipline, special education, family law issues, and school board governance.

Nicola has appeared before various levels of court in Ontario, and has represented clients and appeared before a variety of administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Child and Family Services Review Board, the Special Education Tribunal, the Ontario College of Teachers, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the Ontario Municipal Board), as well as commercial arbitrators.

Nicola also regularly presents to School Board and associated clients in respect of Trustee Orientation, Student Discipline for Trustees, Student Discipline for Discipline Committees, Identifying Legal Issues, Family Law Issues in Schools, Human Rights, and other matters. Nicola also presents to provincial associations, including ECCODE, PCODE, and OASBO.

Contributing Author: Brown, Zuker, Simmons and Keel, Education Law, 5 th Ed. (Thomson Reuters, 2019)

Contributor, Education and Law Journal - Annual Review of Education Law (Carswell) (2015-2018)