Ilija Dimeski - LawyerThe inequality in bargaining power that workers experience has led Ilija to pursue a career where he can help balance the scales of justice by holding employers accountable. As the son of two working class parents, Ilija has an immense passion to fight for workers, in both unionized and non-unionized sectors.
Ilija has successfully litigated at: [+] Grievance Arbitrations [+] Ontario Labour Relations Board [+] Ministry of Labour [+] Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario [+] Workplace Safety & Insurance Board [+] Ontario Court of Justice [+] Federal Court of Canada Prior to practicing law, Ilija advocated for the fair treatment of employees by representing them at disciplinary meetings, grievance procedures, and in collective bargaining negotiations. In his spare time, Ilija enjoys spending time with his family, camping, riding his motorcycle, and tending to his beehives. He enjoys being a mentor to others and teaches law courses. You can also find him volunteering at the local soup kitchen. His devotion to helping others in the community has been recognized by several institutions, and has received the Volunteer Service Award by the Government of Ontario and the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General of Canada. |
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Rashin Alizadeh-Dimeski - Lawyer
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Rashin is a lawyer at Dimeski Law, and practices labour, employment, and human rights law.
Rashin is committed to advancing the rights of workers. Rashin is keen to handle unique and complex cases and often finds creative solutions to achieve a real impact for her clients. Rashin thrives on challenges and does not shy away from difficult negotiations or litigation. Rashin understands that at times, litigation could be the only meaningful avenue for success. She has advocated before tribunals and courts for her clients. Rashin understands the challenges that workers face during legal disputes, which often coincide with turbulent times in their personal lives. She has a particular interest to help vulnerable individuals, especially those experiencing disability. Rashin has worked at various community legal clinics supporting individuals combatting environmental issues, housing difficulties, and social assistance eligibility. She has guided many clients in employment matters involving discrimination, harassment, unjust discipline, workplace health and safety, and wrongful termination. When she is not working, she enjoys riding a motorcycle, HIIT boxing, spending time with family, and travelling to new destinations. |
Megan Quinton - Paralegal
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Megan grew up in a mining community in Northern Ontario giving her an appreciation for workers' rights, especially involving health and safety, mental health and addictions issues, and disability advocacy. She has always sought to work within organizations that hold key principles of standing up for the rights of others, giving deeper meaning to her work. Her clients’ stories are what truly keep her motivated and passionate.
Previously she has been fortunate enough to pursue her passions while working at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, providing legal advice on human rights law in Ontario. She has also worked for multiple community legal clinics and specialty legal clinics, where she has assisted lawyers with casework at various tribunals and provided test case litigation support. In addition to her experiences with legal work, she has worked providing public legal education and advocacy for various groups. In her spare time, Megan enjoys being involved in her community in Timmins, Ontario, by volunteering and attending local events. Giving back and contributing to the community that helped raise and shape her passion is a priority for her. She can often be found spending time with family doing crafts, playing games, and staying active outdoors. |
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Legal Outcomes
EMPLOYMENT LAW CASES
Wrongful Termination
- ET v Ventas SSL Ontario II, Inc., o/a Sunrise Senior Living
- Obtained termination pay and severance pay for a worker who was wrongfully fired based on performance issues after being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan ("PIP"). The Ministry of Labour sided with our arguments that there was no "wilful misconduct" or "disobedience" on the part of the worker despite not meeting the employer's expectations under the PIP.
- TC v Mount Everest Investments Inc. o/a Leon's Furniture and Appliances
- Obtained termination pay for a worker who was wrongfully fired due to performance issues. The Ministry of Labour found that there was a violation of section 54 of the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
- SM v Centerline (Windsor) Limited
- Obtained termination pay for a worker who was unable to work due to their disability/illness, despite the employer giving them working notice. As the worker could not work out their notice due to their disability, the employer was ordered to pay them.
- DG v Witzke's Greenhouses Ltd.
- Obtained termination pay for a worker who engaged in a heated verbal argument with the boss, in which both parties used profanities at each other. It was found that the boss had provoked the worker and as a result the worker's actions were not willful.
- KM v Blue Mountain Resorts Limited Partnership
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker twice. The first, due to their employment contract ending earlier as a result of an "administrative error" by the company, the second, due to their employment contract ending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- WB v Chary Produce Ltd.
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker whose employment contract was terminated before its expiry. In addition, obtain holiday pay.
- MJ v Piccioni Bros. Mushroom Farm Limited
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated for allegedly violating a Company Policy on COVID-19. The Ministry of Labour found that the COVID-19 Company Policy was unenforceable as it attempted to control what a worker would be doing while off-duty.
- JM v Little Glenn's Moving and Delivery Inc.
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated from their employment after not attending their scheduled shift. Made successful submissions for claim to be processed despite being filed beyond the 2 year statutory limitation period.
- MB v Via Verde Hydroponics Ltd.
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated from their employment after missing 45 days of work.
- LD v P. & S. Van Berlo Limited
- Obtained unpaid wages on behalf of a worker whose employer unlawfully deducted more time for break/lunch time from the worker's total hours. In addition, successfully obtained holiday pay and vacation pay.
- SC & LB v Cervini Farms (1993) Inc.
- Successfully obtained holiday pay and vacation pay on behalf of workers.
- JA v Domric International Ltd.
- Successfully obtained holiday pay on behalf of a worker.
- ET v Ventas SSL Ontario II, Inc., o/a Sunrise Senior Living
- Successfully obtained lost wages and pain and suffering damages for a worker who experienced undue hardship at the hands of their Employer after they were fired. The Ministry of Labour awarded reprisal damages based on the employer's actions of preventing the worker from making income with a different employer simply because the worker had filed a claim against them.
HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CASES
Sexual Harassment (Gender) Discrimination
- McKnight v The Realty Firm Inc., 2021 HRTO 79 (CanLII)
- Successfully litigated at the Human Rights Tribunal on four procedural issues. Persuaded the Tribunal to admit an audio recording as evidence and ensured that the personal respondent not be removed as a party in a case involving discrimination and sexual harassment.
- Amorocho v McLearie & Sons Heat Treating Ltd., 2020 HRTO 720 (CanLII)
- Representing an injured worker at the Human Rights Tribunal
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY LAW CASES
Reprisal for Raising Health & Safety Concerns
- Kenny Bernard Florent v 2492309 Ontario Limited 2021 CanLII 39057 (ON LRB)
- Represented a worker before the Ontario Labour Relations Board claiming reprisal for bringing up health and safety concerns in the workplace. Successfully litigated in achieving a finding that substituted the penalty of termination under s.50(7) of OHSA. The Board also took judicial notice that exposure to isopropyl alcohol can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and skin.
WSIB (WORKERS' COMPENSATION) LAW CASES
Loss of Earnings Benefits
- Appeals Resolution Officer Decision (2022)
- Successfully argued entitlement to WSIB loss of earnings benefits at the Appeals Services Division against an employer’s arguments that a worker ought to have been denied because they were involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVR) prior to the workplace injury. The WSIB found in favour of the worker, ruling that there was no pre-existing condition that contributed to the workplace accident and as a result the worker kept their entitlement to WSIB benefits.
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CASES
Safe Food Matters Inc. v Canada (Attorney General), 2022 FC 915 (CanLII)
- Granted Intervenor status on behalf of Justice for Migrant Workers in an environmental case involving chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide. The intervenor brought a worker's perspective to the case, and the health impacts of the insecticide.
- Successfully litigated before the Ontario Court of Justice achieving a 'not guilty' verdict for a woman who was charged with assault after defending herself from her ex-boyfriend.
- Successfully litigated a reinstatement of social assistance and significant reduction of over-payment before the Social Benefits Tribunal.
- Successfully litigated before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and secured an award close to the statutory maximum at the time ($25,000) on behalf of a victim of childhood sexual and physical abuse.
Note: Past results are not indicative of future results and the amount recovered and outcomes will vary according to the facts in individual cases.