Littler Mendelson Opens Montreal Office, Signals Robust Canadian Expansion
Montréal, QC — August 23, 2025 — Littler Mendelson P.C., the world’s largest employment and labor law firm representing management, has bolstered its Canadian presence with the opening of a new office in Montréal, Québec, on August 18, 2025. The firm also announced the strategic hiring of employment lawyer Olivia Girouard as of counsel, marking a significant step in its plan to expand its reach across Canada. This move builds on the success of Littler’s Toronto office, established in 2015, and responds to growing demand for sophisticated labor and employment counsel in the region.
Strategic Expansion in Montréal
The Montréal office, Littler’s second in Canada, is a key part of the firm’s growth strategy, following a decade of notable progress in Toronto, where the firm has expanded to 21 lawyers, including eight recent additions, four of whom are partners. The new office is led by Girouard, a bilingual attorney with extensive experience in labor and employment law, previously with Globalization Partners (G-P) and Montréal-based firm Loranger Marcoux. Girouard’s expertise spans workplace policies, employment contracts, workers’ compensation, health and safety, terminations, discrimination complaints, and workplace investigations, offering clients seamless counsel in both English and French.
“Canada is a fast-growing market for the firm, and opening a new office in Montréal – alongside a strategic hire like Olivia – will give us the added and distinct capabilities to serve clients throughout the country,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president, in a press release. She emphasized that the expansion reinforces Littler’s commitment to building a deep bench of local talent to meet the rising demand for employment law services.
Addressing Québec’s Unique Legal Landscape
The decision to establish a presence in Montréal is driven by Québec’s distinct civil law system and language requirements, which create unique challenges for employers. “Establishing a team in Montréal gives our clients confidence that we can guide them through those complexities locally,” Girouard told Canadian Lawyer, highlighting the need for tailored legal solutions in the province. The firm’s global platform, with over 95 offices and operations in nearly 40 countries, positions it to provide seamless cross-border support for Canadian and multinational employers navigating these complexities.
Stephen Shore, office managing partner for Littler’s Toronto and Montréal locations, underscored Girouard’s role in strengthening the firm’s Canadian operations. “Employers in Canada face a complex patchwork of provincial employment regulations, which makes local insight and customized guidance critical,” Shore said. “Olivia’s arrival marks an important milestone in our broader strategy to deliver top-tier counsel to employers across the country.”
Future Growth Plans
Littler’s Montréal office is seen as a springboard for further expansion in Canada, with Western Canada identified as a potential area of interest. “We see Canada as a key growth market and are actively building our teams in both Toronto and Montréal,” Girouard stated, hinting at plans to open additional offices in regions like Vancouver or Calgary to meet rising demand. The firm’s Toronto office has already experienced significant growth, driven by market demands and strategic hires, including partners like Gerald Griffiths and Shana French in recent years, as reported by CCBJ and Legalnewsfeed.
Social media posts on X reflect enthusiasm for Littler’s expansion, with @CanLawMag noting on August 22, 2025, that the Montréal office will help meet the increasing need for labor counsel in Canada. @MontrealNews4 echoed this sentiment, calling the move “exciting times” for employment law.
Broader Context and Impact
Littler’s expansion aligns with the globalization of Canada’s legal market, following its initial entry into Toronto in 2015 with seven lawyers from local firms. The firm’s focus on innovative legal services, such as its CaseSmart model and onDemand platform, positions it to compete in Canada’s mature labor and employment law market, which has traditionally been dominated by regional firms. With over 1,800 attorneys worldwide, Littler’s Montréal office enhances its ability to serve multinational clients navigating Canada’s complex provincial regulations.
The opening has drawn attention from legal observers, with @Law360 noting on August 19, 2025, that the Montréal location strengthens Littler’s global platform. As the firm continues to grow, its commitment to local expertise and cross-border capabilities is expected to solidify its position as a leading player in Canada’s employment law landscape. The Montréal office, coupled with plans for further expansion, signals Littler’s ambition to become a dominant force in Canadian legal services for years to come.