Sectors & Approach
We work primarily with public sector clients, including:
-
colleges;
-
universities;
-
school boards;
-
municipalities; and
-
hospitals.
We also conduct human rights investigations for:
-
public agencies;
-
large corporate and institutional clients;
-
community agencies; and
-
non-profit boards.
Unrivaled Success
Ethical Associates Inc. has enjoyed unrivaled success in engaging independent practitioners to address and resolve individual and group conflict issues in a variety of institutional and organizational settings. Working primarily in the public sector and with large institutional agencies, our practitioners are uniquely positioned to understand the specific challenges that emerge in various work and learning environments.
Addressing Deep Conflict
We are particularly attuned to issues of conflict and dysfunction as they arise among groups of executives, senior administrators, faculty, staff and students, elected officials and public appointees. We specialize in addressing “deep conflict” in interpersonal relations, tenure and promotion matters, discrimination and harassment complaints (including bullying and “mobbing”), and high profile or sensitive cases involving a variety of constituencies, in both unionized and non-unionized settings.
Trusted Guidance
Our independent practitioners have provided trusted guidance on dispute resolution processes to corporate executives, college and university presidents, city solicitors, hospital administrators, and school boards, as well as to members of senior administration, faculty and labour relations departments, unions and internal human rights and equity offices. We are also sensitive to the reputational risks encountered in large institutional environments and the public scrutiny that can arise during times of crisis.
Our primary goal in providing specialized services is to assist organizations in maintaining respectful work and learning environments and to ensure that their articulated goals of inclusion and civility are preserved. The unique skills sets of our independent practitioners are rooted in human rights and equity frameworks and we understand the complex web of institutional policies and governance structures.
Having worked in a variety of corporate and institutional settings, we understand the legislation and governance structures of various service organizations and how internal policies and codes of conduct intersect with one another. Our practitioners have also been commissioned by several municipalities and public service agencies to conduct systemic reviews and revisions of existing policy frameworks.
Diversity and Cultural Awareness
As human rights practitioners, we bring our individual backgrounds and identities to the work we do. We acknowledge the privilege we hold as lawyers and neutrals, and we work within a trauma-informed, culturally-aware, and intersectional framework.
Most importantly we recognize that as settlers on traditional Indigenous lands, we have particular responsibilities to advance the objectives of truth and reconciliation with all Indigenous peoples. Our independent practitioners are guided by, and committed to, the Calls to Action of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission in all our work.
Online Interviews
As a result of COVID-19, our interactions with participants will be conducted online for the foreseeable future. We have been successful in moving our processes online by using various videoconferencing platforms.
We maintain strict standards of confidentiality while promoting interactive dialogue and participation in all of our interventions.
The online format also allows our independent practitioners to offer their services to clients in multiple jurisdictions.
We provide participants with rigorous process expectations concerning online participation and we work within existing informal and formal resolution processes to maintain the integrity of our processes.
Ethical AI
Ethical Associates embraces innovation in legal services while ensuring that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is conducted responsibly and transparently.
In order to enhance efficiency and accuracy in managing large volumes of information in complex investigations and review processes, we utilize advanced generative AI tools to assist with specific tasks during these processes, such as preparing evidence summaries based on participant interviews.
We also prioritize transparency in these processes by advising participants about AI tools used during investigations and reviews. This ensures transparency and allows participants to make informed decisions.
AI is not used for tasks that require human judgment, such as making findings of fact, analyzing evidence, conducting legal analysis, drawing conclusions or determining investigation outcomes. These functions are exclusively performed by trained lawyers of our firm. The use of AI does not extend to any aspect of our professional judgment or decision-making process.
The generative AI platform we use operates under a private subscription model. All data uploaded to the platform is protected under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the AI provider, ensuring that participant information is handled securely and confidentially. More importantly, any data uploaded to the platform is anonymized and is NOT used to train the AI model or for any other purposes outside of our direct use. This further safeguards individual privacy and ensures compliance with our professional obligations.
The use of generative AI by Ethical Associates Inc. complies with all professional standards and guidelines issued by law societies in jurisdictions where we conduct legal services.
For more information, please refer to our AI Usage Policy for Investigations and Reviews.