An employment law conference that debuted virtually last year will expand to include in-person attendance this fall, bringing together employment lawyers and workplace investigators to address the growing legal challenges facing HR professionals and employers.
Workplace Law Talks, scheduled for Oct. 23, 2025, at the Sandman Toronto Airport Hotel, will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options, according to organizers HR Law Canada and HR News Canada. The conference will feature sessions on workplace investigations, AI integration, termination practices, and accommodation strategies.
“The legal landscape is more complex than ever, and one misstep can devastate your organization,” said Todd Humber, publisher and editor-in-chief of HR Law Canada. “We’re seeing HR departments struggle with workplace investigations gone wrong, harassment complaints mishandled, and terminations that trigger costly litigation. This conference provides the practical solutions they need.”
Stuart Rudner, the conference chair and founder of Rudner Law, said the program addresses critical issues in employment law.
“I am incredibly excited to be working with Todd in order to present the second annual Workplace Law Talks conference,” Rudner said. “We have a tremendous lineup of engaging speakers who will be addressing important and timely topics in the world of HR law. It should be a great day of learning and networking in a fun environment.”
AI challenges take centre stage
One keynote session will focus on how AI is transforming workplaces at breakneck speed, leaving HR scrambling to keep pace while avoiding legal pitfalls. The session will cover strategies for using AI responsibly across the employee lifecycle, from hiring and performance management to termination decisions.
The program will also address compensation questions that arise when employees use AI to boost productivity, as well as the legal complexities of AI-influenced employment decisions.
Workplace investigations and accommodation focus
A dedicated session on workplace investigations will explore ethical considerations including maintaining impartiality, ensuring confidentiality, and upholding due process. Attendees will learn best practices for conducting investigations that withstand legal scrutiny while avoiding common ethical pitfalls.
Another session will address accommodation requirements for neurodivergent employees, covering legal obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA, documentation requirements, and strategies for managing performance expectations.
Conference details and registration
Early bird pricing is available for registrations completed by Sept. 30, 2025, with 100 in-person seats available. Virtual attendance includes access to the livestream and recordings, with 500 online seats available.
The conference targets HR professionals, C-suite leaders, employment lawyers, and workplace investigators seeking practical guidance on current legal challenges. Sessions are designed to provide actionable strategies rather than theoretical frameworks.
Rudner brings extensive experience as an employment lawyer and mediator who represents both employers and employees. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in Canada for nine consecutive years and was counsel in the landmark Keays v. Honda Supreme Court of Canada case.
Humber’s career spans more than two decades in workplace journalism, including previous roles at Thomson Reuters where he led Canadian HR Reporter and its family of workplace publications. He regularly appears in media as a commentator on employment law and workplace safety issues.
The conference represents the second collaboration between HR Law Canada and HR News Canada, national workplace media brands that provide authoritative coverage of labour and employment developments for Canadian employers and HR professionals. The inaugural virtual conference was held in 2024.
For more information, visit https://hrtalks.ca/
