Our Team

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Cindy Watson

Senior Partner

The founder and managing partner of Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers. 

A graduate of the prestigious Osgoode Hall, Cindy is an experienced and respected attorney, and for the past 30 years has specialized in social justice.

Cindy is a sought-after trainer and speaker in the corporate arena, helping to build bridges between men and women in order to aid in productivity, communication and heal gender bias.

Dedicated to breaking down barriers, securing pay equity and to ending discrimination: Cindy has a proven track record empowering, advocating, and motivating people to become the best version of themselves.

She is an international speaker, award-winning author and consultant, known for her passion, commitment and ability to inspire.

Riley Palmer, B.A. LL.B (Hons)   

Partner

Riley is a Partner at Watson Palmer Labour Lawyers.

He is a relentless advocate, dedicated to achieving the best result for his clients. His practice focuses exclusively on labour law, helping Unions fight to achieve their workplace goals.

He is a highly skilled litigator, who has had the pleasure of working with Unions at both the provincial and federal level, litigating weekly at arbitrations, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.

In addition to litigation, Riley also provides legal advice during collective bargaining and is passionate about protecting worker’s rights through training and education. He has have traveled across the country hosting countless training seminars for Union Stewards, Executive Board members, and Business Agents/Presidents with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Memberships & Affiliations

Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers – Member

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Maddalena Palazzo (a.k.a. “Maddy”)

Legal Assistant

Maddy graduated in June 1990 from Retter Business College with a diploma as a Legal Assistant with an honorary award from Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP.

In addition to her legal experience, she passionately and successfully grew her own business with the buying and selling of real estate properties along with managing residential/commercial properties as a Property Manager over the past 15 years.

Her favored phrase she lives by ‘Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds’ – author unknown.

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Jade Watson

Legal Assistant

Jade Watson graduated from Trent University with a degree in Gender and Equality in June 2018. She believes that everybody has a right to be treated fairly no matter their sex, sexual orientation, race, or any disabilities one may have.

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Tyler Vibert

Researcher


Powerhouse Negotiator

Cindy is a powerhouse negotiator and it has been so amazing learning how to speak up and step into my power!


Nicole Kelly

Committed to the Trade Union movement

I would highly recommend the lawyers from Watson Labour Lawyers! Not only are they professional, they are true trade unionist committed to the Trade Union movement. Their passion and understanding helps them frame their legal argument in a way that is persuasive to arbitrators, and even opposing counsel. To date, I have not seen this power of persuasion fail.


Frank Marsh Union President - Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1415

Watson Labour Lawyers are the best!

Watson Labour Lawyers are the best when it comes to litigation as well as settlement negotiations. Their Lawyers are punctual, reliable, personable and experts in the field. Having a lawyer from Watson Labour Lawyers means that my opinion is respected and my membership is protected. Having used other firms, I know how difficult it is to reach legal; that’s not a concern with Watson Labour Lawyers. When I have a question, they have an answer.


Andy Cleary Union President - Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1189
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