Marilou Lopes

Marilou is an employment lawyer who is passionate about helping people and solving problems. Drawn to employment law because it allows her to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, often at a time of stress and turmoil.  Marilou takes pride in providing a thoughtful, practical and people-centred approach that delivers  strategic advocacy tailored to each client. Marilou thinks that understanding the law is only part of good legal representation; understanding how it affects a person’s life is equally important.

Before becoming a lawyer, Marilou built a diverse professional background as an educator, and co-founder of a company. She also served as elected union steward, an experience that first sparked her interest in workplace advocacy. Her breadth of professional experience gives her a valuable perspective on workplace issues from multiple sides of the employment relationship and allows her to understand both the personal and practical realities her clients face.

While her experience as a union steward initially sparked an interest in labour advocacy, Marilou ultimately chose employment law because it provides greater opportunities to develop creative legal strategies and individualized solutions for clients. She believes that the law should be understandable and useful to the people it serves and that effective employment advocacy begins with understanding the person behind the legal issues, and gaining an appreciation of their circumstances, priorities, concerns and goals.

A consultation with Marilou is designed to be a focused, judgment-free conversation where clients can speak openly about what may be an incredibly challenging period of their lives.  Clients can expect a responsive, collaborative and pragmatic lawyer who takes the time to fully understand their situation before recommending a path forward. Marilou will explain the complex legal concepts of employment law in a clear, accessible and digestible manner, ensuring clients understand their employment rights, have a thorough understanding of their options and the reasoning behind the legal strategies available to them.  She believes clients should be active participants in their legal matters and have the information they need to make informed decisions with confidence.

Whether advising on wrongful dismissal, severance, employment disputes or other workplace matters, Marilou brings a pragmatic, resourceful and compassionate approach to her practice. For Marilou, being an effective advocate means being prepared,  accountable and focused on finding practical solutions. Her commitment to advocacy has been recognized through the Art and Science of Advocacy award during law school and the Annie MacDonald Langstaff Prize, which recognized her for demonstrating compassion, tenacity, curiosity, respect for others and a commitment to justice.

Outside of work, Marilou enjoys playing tennis, gardening and practicing yoga. A life-long learner, she has a natural curiosity and enjoys discovering interesting facts about a wide range of topics.