Kelly is a trusted advisor to local and international clients, offering strategic, business-focused counsel on employment law, executive compensation and workforce risk management. She advises employers on a range of employment matters, guides them through complex disputes, and provides counsel on corporate transactions.
A significant portion of Kelly’s practice is dedicated to advising companies and boards of directors on executive-level employment matters, including employment and separation arrangements as well as succession planning. Kelly’s employment law expertise is enhanced by her specialization in executive compensation, where she helps both public and private companies design and implement equity and non-equity compensation arrangements that align with business goals and regulatory requirements.
Beyond her executive-level focus, Kelly helps employers navigate complex workplace challenges, such as wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, misclassification and human rights claims. She provides tailored advice on compliance with employment standards, workplace safety and employee privacy laws, enabling organizations to adopt effective risk-mitigation strategies. In addition, Kelly regularly advises on and negotiates contractual agreements on behalf of employers, including executive employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenant terms, and termination arrangements for departing employees.
Kelly’s expertise extends to corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, insolvencies and outsourcing. Her ability to identify workforce-related risks and provide practical solutions ensures her clients can navigate transitions with confidence. With her combined expertise in employment law and executive compensation, Kelly offers unparalleled support in bridging legal compliance and strategic business priorities.
Representative Work
- Difenda
Difenda in its acquisition by Quorum Cyber
- Newsfile
Newsfile in its sale to TMX Group
- Battery Ventures
Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
- Kyndryl
Kyndryl in the sale of its Securities Industry Services business to Broadridge
- Monex Group Inc
Monex Group in its acquisition of 3iQ Digital Holdings Inc.
- American Academy Holdings LLC
American Academy Holdings LLC in its acquisition of Semantic Health
- Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- AtomVie Global Radiopharma
AtomVie in its spinout and Series A Financing
- MOSCOT
MOSCOT in the opening of its first Canadian location
- smartTrade
smartTrade in its acquisition of TickTrade
- Frontenac Company
Frontenac in its acquisition of EFC International
- The Levy Family
The Levy Family in theScore’s US$2 billion acquisition by Penn National Gaming
- The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in its agreement to increase its ownership in DECIEM Beauty Group Inc.
- Tantalus Systems Holding
Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. in its $90 million Qualifying Transaction with RiseTech Capital Corp., concurrent financing and graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange
- The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund
The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund in the conversion of WSIB’s defined benefit, single employer pension plan to a jointly sponsored pension plan
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals
Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its $212.5 million IPO
- Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley in its acquisition of Solium Capital for $1.1 billion
- Quad-C Management, Inc.
Quad-C Management on its investment in S.i. Systems
- Battery Ventures Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
- Monex Group Inc Monex Group in its acquisition of 3iQ Digital Holdings Inc.
- Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- AtomVie Global Radiopharma AtomVie in its spinout and Series A Financing
- MOSCOT MOSCOT in the opening of its first Canadian location
- smartTrade smartTrade in its acquisition of TickTrade
- Frontenac Company Frontenac in its acquisition of EFC International
- theScore The Levy Family in theScore’s US$2 billion acquisition by Penn National Gaming
- Tantalus Systems Holding Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. in its $90 million Qualifying Transaction with RiseTech Capital Corp., concurrent financing and graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange
- The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in its agreement to increase its ownership in DECIEM Beauty Group Inc.
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board – Pension Plan Conversion The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund in the conversion of WSIB’s defined benefit, single employer pension plan to a jointly sponsored pension plan
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its $212.5 million IPO
- Ventas, Inc. Ventas in its acquisition of a high quality Canadian seniors housing portfolio valued at $2.4 billion in partnership with Le Groupe Maurice
- Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley in its acquisition of Solium Capital for $1.1 billion
- Quad-C Management Quad-C Management on its investment in S.i. Systems
Select Reported Deals:
-
- Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in its agreement with Duo Bank of Canada to purchase Fairstone Financial Holdings Inc.
- Transdev Canada Inc. in its acquisition of Voyago
- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited in connection with its strategic alliance with RBC Global Asset Management Inc. to create a combined $60 billion ETF solution suite under the RBC iShares brand.
Difenda in its acquisition by Quorum Cyber
Newsfile in its sale to TMX Group
Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
Kyndryl in the sale of its Securities Industry Services business to Broadridge
Monex Group in its acquisition of 3iQ Digital Holdings Inc.
- American Academy Holdings LLC
American Academy Holdings LLC in its acquisition of Semantic Health
- Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- AtomVie Global Radiopharma
AtomVie in its spinout and Series A Financing
- MOSCOT
MOSCOT in the opening of its first Canadian location
- smartTrade
smartTrade in its acquisition of TickTrade
- Frontenac Company
Frontenac in its acquisition of EFC International
- The Levy Family
The Levy Family in theScore’s US$2 billion acquisition by Penn National Gaming
- The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in its agreement to increase its ownership in DECIEM Beauty Group Inc.
- Tantalus Systems Holding
Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. in its $90 million Qualifying Transaction with RiseTech Capital Corp., concurrent financing and graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange
- The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund
The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund in the conversion of WSIB’s defined benefit, single employer pension plan to a jointly sponsored pension plan
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals
Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its $212.5 million IPO
- Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley in its acquisition of Solium Capital for $1.1 billion
- Quad-C Management, Inc.
Quad-C Management on its investment in S.i. Systems
- Battery Ventures Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
- Monex Group Inc Monex Group in its acquisition of 3iQ Digital Holdings Inc.
- Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- AtomVie Global Radiopharma AtomVie in its spinout and Series A Financing
- MOSCOT MOSCOT in the opening of its first Canadian location
- smartTrade smartTrade in its acquisition of TickTrade
- Frontenac Company Frontenac in its acquisition of EFC International
- theScore The Levy Family in theScore’s US$2 billion acquisition by Penn National Gaming
- Tantalus Systems Holding Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. in its $90 million Qualifying Transaction with RiseTech Capital Corp., concurrent financing and graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange
- The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in its agreement to increase its ownership in DECIEM Beauty Group Inc.
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board – Pension Plan Conversion The Board of Trustees of the WSIB Pension Plan Fund in the conversion of WSIB’s defined benefit, single employer pension plan to a jointly sponsored pension plan
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its $212.5 million IPO
- Ventas, Inc. Ventas in its acquisition of a high quality Canadian seniors housing portfolio valued at $2.4 billion in partnership with Le Groupe Maurice
- Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley in its acquisition of Solium Capital for $1.1 billion
- Quad-C Management Quad-C Management on its investment in S.i. Systems
Select Reported Deals:
-
- Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in its agreement with Duo Bank of Canada to purchase Fairstone Financial Holdings Inc.
- Transdev Canada Inc. in its acquisition of Voyago
- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited in connection with its strategic alliance with RBC Global Asset Management Inc. to create a combined $60 billion ETF solution suite under the RBC iShares brand.
Latest Insights
-
Report Dec 5, 2024
Termination clauses under the microscope and other cautions
The increasing unwillingness of the courts to enforce contractual termination clauses is creating a more expensive environment for employers.
Read more -
Webinar Aug 20, 2024
Employment and Labour Law Insights quarterly webinar – September 2024
No matter your industry, staying up to date on employment and labour law is critical for legal and business professionals across Canada. Osler has...
Read more -
Blog Mar 27, 2024
Bill 149 receives royal assent
Ontario’s Bill 149, which imposes new requirements regarding pay transparency, Canadian work experience and the use of AI in job postings, has...
Read more -
Osler Update Dec 11, 2023
Looking forward on clawbacks
New listing standards from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market came into effect this year, requiring companies to adopt policies...
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Employment & Labour (Ontario)
Media Mentions
-
Osler News Feb 14, 2022
Osler welcomes 17 new partners and 2 new counsel in 2022
Osler is proud to announce the addition of 17 new partners and two new counsel across our offices in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa and...
Read more -
Osler News Jan 7, 2022
ESG increasingly linked to executive comp – Canadian HR Reporter
Osler’s Kelly O’Ferrall spoke to Canadian HR Reporter about some of the challenges involved in the growing trend of tying executive compensation...
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Employment and Labour Law Insights: Commuting issues; B.C. pay transparency and COVID-related employment standards decisions
Read moreEmployment and Labour Law Insights: Post-employment restrictive covenants and family status accommodation
Read moreEmployment and Labour Law Insights: DEI accommodations; ESG data, protected grounds and human rights; Employment Standards Act and Bill 88
Read moreEmployment and Labour Law Insights: right to disconnect; Working for Workers Act; electronic monitoring in Ontario and gig economy workers
Read moreEmployment and Labour Law Insights: September 2023
Speaker, September 28, 2023
Employment and Labour Law Insights: April 2023
Speaker, April 19, 2023
Employment and Labour Law Insights: November 2022
Speaker, November 30, 2022
Employment and Labour Law Insights: March 2022
Speaker, March 31, 2022
Year-End Professionalism Series: Workplace Harassment: Preventing and Responding to Incidents in the Workplace
Speaker, Toronto, November 26, 2019
Webinar – Employment Law Update: Preparing Your Business for Changes and Challenges
Speaker, Thursday, April 4, 2019
Webinar – Employment Law Update: Preparing Your Business for Changes and Challenges
Speaker, Thursday, March 28, 2019
Webinar – Workplace Harassment and #MeToo: Preventing and Responding to Incidents in the Workplace
Moderator, Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Published Work
Publications
- The Employer’s COVID-19 Return to the Workplace Playbook [PDF], Canadian Corporate Counsel, 2020, Vol. 29 Number 1.
Selected Events – As Speaker
- Buying and Selling a Business: A Comprehensive Guide, Employment Law Considerations after COVID-19, Ontario Bar Association, September 30, 2020.
Credentials
Education
- Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D.
- Queens University’s, Honours B.A.
- Queen’s University, B.Sc.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario