Jan Parnega

Experience

A founding partner of Shearer Parnega LLP, Jan brings years of litigation and prosecution experience to the practice of workplace investigation and conflict resolution.  

Jan commenced her career at a national law firm in Toronto. A civil litigator for close to a decade, she acted on corporate/commercial disputes, insurance litigation, professional liability, and intellectual property matters. 

Jan then spent ten years as a prosecutor at the Law Society of Upper Canada, the largest regulatory body in Canada to govern lawyers and paralegals. At the Law Society, she dealt with a wide variety of prosecutions regarding professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming, capacity, competence and related matters. Working in a collaborative framework with investigators, Jan helped direct investigations to ensure sound, evidence-based prosecutions. Well versed in the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice, she is ever sensitive to the various issues and concerns that can arise in a workplace setting, including the need to protect the interests of the engaged parties. She is respected for her sound judgment, thorough preparation, and exceptional interpersonal skills. 

In addition to investigations, Jan has experience assisting clients ensure a safe and productive workplace, by conducting workplace cultural assessments and developing sound workplace policies. Where possible, she enjoys finding efficient and effective solutions to workplace disputes as an alternative to litigation.

Education

Admitted to the practice of law in Ontario, February 2000

LL.B. Osgoode Hall Law School, 1998

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Queen’s University, 1995

Professional Associations

Advocates’ Society

Prosecutor’s Network, Advocates’ Society

Association of Workplace Investigators