Pam Hrick
Partner
Pam is a litigator whose expertise includes administrative and regulatory law, sexual assault law, and human rights law. Known for her sound strategic advice and excellence in advocacy, she has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Areas of Expertise
Sexual Assault & Abuse
Board Governance
Human Rights Issues
Professional Negligence and Discipline
Tribunals and Commissions
Workplace Investigations
Education
Admitted to Ontario Bar (2014)
ICD Directors Education Program, University of Toronto Rotman School of Management (2026)
GCU.D, General Counsel University Leadership Program, Women General Counsel Canada (2023)
Master of Laws, New York University (2019)
Juris Doctor, Queen’s University (2013)
Bachelor of Social Science, University of Ottawa (2007)
Awards & Recognitions
Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada (Canadian Lawyer Magazine, 2025)
President’s Award (Women’s Law Association of Ontario, 2025)
Excellence Awardee, Female Trailblazer of the Year, Academia & In-House (Canadian Law Awards, 2025)
Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award (Queen’s Law, 2022)
Lexpert Rising Star, Leading Lawyers Under 40 (Lexpert Magazine, 2022)
Douglas Miller Rising Star Award (Canadian Bar Association, 2021)
Precedent Setter Award (Precedent Magazine, 2021)
Leader to be Proud Of (Start Proud, 2018)
Medal in Law – Second Highest Standing (Queen’s University, 2013)
Publications & Media
Guest, “There Has To Be a Better Way: Rethinking Justice in the Hockey Canada Case” (Lawyer Life Podcast, September 2025)
Co-Author, “The criminal justice system keeps failing sexual assault survivors. There has to be a better way” (The Globe and Mail, June 9, 2025)
Panellist, “Hot Topics in Admin Law” (Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, 2024)
Panellist, “Myths, Stereotypes, and Common Sense: Navigating the Legal Principles and Pitfalls of #IYKYK in Sexual Abuse Cases” (CNAR, October 2024)
Co-Author, “Advancing Equality Outside the Four Corners of Section 15” (Supreme Court Law Review, 2024, Vol. 114 (2d))
Panellist, “How to Navigate Hot Button Issues” (Ontario Bar Association 23rd Annual Charter Conference, October 2, 2024)
Guest, “Gender Equality Law” (Lawyered Podcast, September 2024)
Guest, “Addressing Inter-Partner and Gender-Based Violence” (Law Syrup Podcast by OJEN, August 2024)
Witness, Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-250, 2024; Bill S-12, 2023; Bill C-5, 2022), House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (Bill S-12, 2023; Bill C-28, 2022), Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Study on the constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples: Canadian Human Rights Framework, 2023)
Panellist, “International Women’s Day – Inspiring Inclusion for a More Sustainable Future” (Women General Counsel Canada, March 7, 2024)
Faculty, The Advocates’ Society Women in Litigation Symposium: Forging Your Own Path (October 27, 2023)
Co-Author, “Survivors of sexual violence should have greater access to restorative justice” (The Globe and Mail, October 19, 2023)
Panellist, “Equality Rights: Reflections on the Current Landscape” (Ontario Bar Association 22nd Annual Charter Conference, October 4, 2023)
Presenter, “Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Homicide and Firearms” (Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Conference, September 27, 2023)
Panellist, “Where Talent Meets Intersectionality” (Start Proud Out on Bay Street Conference, September 15, 2023)
Featured Speaker, “Queer perspectives on professional challenges and mental health” (Law Society of Ontario, OBA and OBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Pride Month Event, June 13, 2023)
Co-Author, “Sexual assault survivors need more control over publication bans” (The Toronto Star, June 12, 2023)
Panellist, “Intervening for Equality” (David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, Litigating Equality in Canada Symposium, May 26, 2023)
Author, “Harassment and abuse are not limited to men’s hockey. We need a public inquiry into all of Canadian sport” (The Toronto Star, August 11, 2022)
Guest, “Should ‘self-induced extreme intoxication’ be a valid defence for murder or sexual assault?” (The Big Story Podcast, June 2022)
Co-Author, “The Saturday Debate: Should cameras be allowed in Canadian courtrooms?” (The Toronto Star, June 18, 2022)
Co-Author, “What is true and what is false about the Supreme Court of Canada’s extreme intoxication ruling” (The Globe and Mail, May 19, 2022)
Panellist, “Driving change through political and government channels” (RODA’s 7th Annual Diversity Conference with the OBA: Systemic Change What Role Will You Play?, November 23, 2021)
Panellist, “Rights in Real Life: Justice Abella’s Legacy in Constitutional and Human Rights Law” (CBA Leadership Online Symposium, Threading Equality Through the Law: The Legacy of Justice Rosalie Abella, October 7, 2021)
Co-Author, “Protecting against online gender-based violence and harassment” (The Toronto Star, April 28, 2021)
Author, “The Potential of Centralized and Statutorily Empowered Bodies to Advance a Survivor-Centred Approach to Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women” (in The Emerald International Handbook of Technology-facilitated Violence and Abuse, Bailey, Flynn, and Henry, eds., Emerald Publishing, 2021)
Witness, The 519, Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on General Government (Bill 213, 2020)
Co-Author, “Judges need access to justice, too – or we risk public confidence in the entire system” (The Globe and Mail, June 8, 2020)
Co-Author and Panellist, “Justiciability and Jurisdiction in Judicial Review: A Primer on Recent Developments” (presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, “Justiciability: What is a justiciable issue?” Panel, 2019)
Author, “Proposed change to Ontario law fails to protect against online sexual abuse” (The Toronto Star, December 12, 2019)
Co-Author, “Re-examining Defamation Law in a Digital Age: The Landscape of Law Reform in Ontario” (Media Law Resource Center London Conference, 2019)
Co-Author, “The Supreme Court’s Jarvis ruling delivers a win for privacy, but it’s a missed opportunity for equality” (The Globe and Mail, February 14, 2019)
Author and Panellist, “Public Interest Interventions Before Administrative Tribunals” (presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, “Public interest intervention and standing in administrative hearings” Panel, 2018)
Co-Author, “Reasonable, Correct or Simply Fair?: Exploring the Standard of Review for Procedural Decisions” (presented at the Ontario Bar Association’s Institute, Ten Years Later: Coherence and Consistency in Administrative Practice Post-Dunsmuir, 2018)
Co-Author, “Sketching the Boundaries: Active Adjudication As a Means of Enhancing Fairness in Tribunal Proceedings” (presented at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Six-Minute Administrative Lawyer Conference, 2017)
Co-Editor, In Furtherance of Justice: The Judicial Life of Thomas A. Cromwell (Markham, Ont.: LexisNexis Canada, 2017)
Co-Author, “A Guide to Third Party Records Applications Under the Mills Regime” (Ontario Bar Association Charter Conference, 2016)
Author, “A Dangerous Step Backwards: The Implications of Conditional Permanent Resident Status for Sponsored Immigrant Women in Abusive Relationships” (Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies, 2012)
Key Legal Matters
Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia (SCC File No. 41061; decision pending). Acted for the intervener Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund in an appeal dealing with whether the Court should recognize a common law tort of family violence.
Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform v. Attorney General, 2023 ONSC 5197: Acted for the intervener Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund in an application challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s sex work laws.
Canadian Federation of Students v. Ontario (Colleges and Universities), 2021 ONCA 553: Acted for the interveners Start Proud and Guelph Queer Equality in this appeal dealing with the lawfulness of Ontario’s “Student Choice Initiative” ancillary fee framework applicable to post-secondary institutions.
R. v. Lim #4, 2021 ONSC 45: Acted for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in an application for production of materials in its possession in the context of a criminal sexual assault trial.
Smith v. Canada (Attorney General), 2020 FC 629: Acted for the applicant Ontario Superior Court judge on a successful judicial review related to a Canadian Judicial Council proceeding.
1704604 Ontario Limited v. Pointes Protection Association, et al., 2020 SCC 22: Acted for an intervener coalition of the Centre for Free Expression, the Canadian Association of Journalists, and the Communications Workers of America / Canada in an appeal dealing with the scope and application of Ontario’s anti-SLAPP legislation.
Hamlet of Clyde River et al. v. Petroleum Geo-Services Inc. et al., 2017 SCC 40: Successfully represented the Inuit appellants in this case dealing with the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult Aboriginal peoples in the context of a National Energy Board authorization process for seismic testing. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court agreed that the NEB’s authorization should be quashed due to a lack of adequate consultation.
S.C. v. N.S., 2017 ONSC 5566. Acted for the intervener, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, in a civil appeal addressing the issue of whether parties must seek directions from the court prior to using evidence subject to the deemed undertaking rule pursuant to exceptions to the rule.
Acting as counsel for various individual and institutional clients in judicial review proceedings before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court, and the Federal Court of Appeal.
Representing and advising sexual assault survivors on civil remedies and on applications affecting their rights in criminal proceedings.
Full Biography
Pam Hrick is a partner in Lerners’ Toronto Office. She is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Advocacy group, as well as the Personal Injury Law group. Her practice includes civil and constitutional litigation, administrative and regulatory law, human rights law, and representing survivors of sexual violence. She also draws on her expertise to advise boards of directors on governance matters.
Pam is a trusted advisor to individual and institutional clients. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as at the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. As Executive Director and
Early in her legal career, Pam clerked for Justice Thomas A. Cromwell at the Supreme Court of Canada and Justice David Stratas at the Federal Court of Appeal. She also previously served as the Legislative Advisor and Issues Manager to the Attorney General of Ontario.
In addition to her practice, Pam is an active contributor to the legal community and the broader community. She currently serves as an elected bencher of the Law Society of Ontario and as an adjudicator with the Law Society Tribunal. In these roles, she contributes her expertise to the regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the province. She has also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and charities, including The 519, a City of Toronto agency serving and advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Pam Hrick is a partner in Lerners’ Toronto Office. She is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Advocacy group, as well as the Personal Injury Law group. Her practice includes civil and constitutional litigation, administrative and regulatory law, human rights law, and representing survivors of sexual violence. She also draws on her expertise to advise boards of directors on governance matters.
Pam is a trusted advisor to individual and institutional clients. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as at the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. As Executive Director andGeneral Counsel of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), Pam led LEAF’s influential interventions in constitutional and equality litigation across Canada. She has a particular interest and expertise in judicial review and appeal proceedings.
Early in her legal career, Pam clerked for Justice Thomas A. Cromwell at the Supreme Court of Canada and Justice David Stratas at the Federal Court of Appeal. She also previously served as the Legislative Advisor and Issues Manager to the Attorney General of Ontario.
In addition to her practice, Pam is an active contributor to the legal community and the broader community. She currently serves as an elected bencher of the Law Society of Ontario and as an adjudicator with the Law Society Tribunal. In these roles, she contributes her expertise to the regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the province. She has also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and charities, including The 519, a City of Toronto agency serving and advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
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Pam Hrick
Partner
Pam is a litigator whose expertise includes administrative and regulatory law, sexual assault law, and human rights law. Known for her sound strategic advice and excellence in advocacy, she has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Phrick@lerners.ca
Areas of Expertise
Sexual Assault & Abuse
Board Governance
Human Rights Issues
Professional Negligence and Discipline
Tribunals and Commissions
Workplace Investigations
Education
Admitted to Ontario Bar (2014)
ICD Directors Education Program, University of Toronto Rotman School of Management (2026)
GCU.D, General Counsel University Leadership Program, Women General Counsel Canada (2023)
Master of Laws, New York University (2019)
Juris Doctor, Queen’s University (2013)
Bachelor of Social Science, University of Ottawa (2007)
Awards & Recognitions
Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada (Canadian Lawyer Magazine, 2025)
President’s Award (Women’s Law Association of Ontario, 2025)
Excellence Awardee, Female Trailblazer of the Year, Academia & In-House (Canadian Law Awards, 2025)
Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award (Queen’s Law, 2022)
Lexpert Rising Star, Leading Lawyers Under 40 (Lexpert Magazine, 2022)
Douglas Miller Rising Star Award (Canadian Bar Association, 2021)
Precedent Setter Award (Precedent Magazine, 2021)
Leader to be Proud Of (Start Proud, 2018)
Medal in Law – Second Highest Standing (Queen’s University, 2013)
Publications & Media
Guest, “There Has To Be a Better Way: Rethinking Justice in the Hockey Canada Case” (Lawyer Life Podcast, September 2025)
Co-Author, “The criminal justice system keeps failing sexual assault survivors. There has to be a better way” (The Globe and Mail, June 9, 2025)
Panellist, “Hot Topics in Admin Law” (Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, 2024)
Panellist, “Myths, Stereotypes, and Common Sense: Navigating the Legal Principles and Pitfalls of #IYKYK in Sexual Abuse Cases” (CNAR, October 2024)
Co-Author, “Advancing Equality Outside the Four Corners of Section 15” (Supreme Court Law Review, 2024, Vol. 114 (2d))
Panellist, “How to Navigate Hot Button Issues” (Ontario Bar Association 23rd Annual Charter Conference, October 2, 2024)
Guest, “Gender Equality Law” (Lawyered Podcast, September 2024)
Guest, “Addressing Inter-Partner and Gender-Based Violence” (Law Syrup Podcast by OJEN, August 2024)
Witness, Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-250, 2024; Bill S-12, 2023; Bill C-5, 2022), House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (Bill S-12, 2023; Bill C-28, 2022), Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Study on the constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples: Canadian Human Rights Framework, 2023)
Panellist, “International Women’s Day – Inspiring Inclusion for a More Sustainable Future” (Women General Counsel Canada, March 7, 2024)
Faculty, The Advocates’ Society Women in Litigation Symposium: Forging Your Own Path (October 27, 2023)
Co-Author, “Survivors of sexual violence should have greater access to restorative justice” (The Globe and Mail, October 19, 2023)
Panellist, “Equality Rights: Reflections on the Current Landscape” (Ontario Bar Association 22nd Annual Charter Conference, October 4, 2023)
Presenter, “Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Homicide and Firearms” (Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Conference, September 27, 2023)
Panellist, “Where Talent Meets Intersectionality” (Start Proud Out on Bay Street Conference, September 15, 2023)
Featured Speaker, “Queer perspectives on professional challenges and mental health” (Law Society of Ontario, OBA and OBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Pride Month Event, June 13, 2023)
Co-Author, “Sexual assault survivors need more control over publication bans” (The Toronto Star, June 12, 2023)
Panellist, “Intervening for Equality” (David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, Litigating Equality in Canada Symposium, May 26, 2023)
Author, “Harassment and abuse are not limited to men’s hockey. We need a public inquiry into all of Canadian sport” (The Toronto Star, August 11, 2022)
Guest, “Should ‘self-induced extreme intoxication’ be a valid defence for murder or sexual assault?” (The Big Story Podcast, June 2022)
Co-Author, “The Saturday Debate: Should cameras be allowed in Canadian courtrooms?” (The Toronto Star, June 18, 2022)
Co-Author, “What is true and what is false about the Supreme Court of Canada’s extreme intoxication ruling” (The Globe and Mail, May 19, 2022)
Panellist, “Driving change through political and government channels” (RODA’s 7th Annual Diversity Conference with the OBA: Systemic Change What Role Will You Play?, November 23, 2021)
Panellist, “Rights in Real Life: Justice Abella’s Legacy in Constitutional and Human Rights Law” (CBA Leadership Online Symposium, Threading Equality Through the Law: The Legacy of Justice Rosalie Abella, October 7, 2021)
Co-Author, “Protecting against online gender-based violence and harassment” (The Toronto Star, April 28, 2021)
Author, “The Potential of Centralized and Statutorily Empowered Bodies to Advance a Survivor-Centred Approach to Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women” (in The Emerald International Handbook of Technology-facilitated Violence and Abuse, Bailey, Flynn, and Henry, eds., Emerald Publishing, 2021)
Witness, The 519, Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on General Government (Bill 213, 2020)
Co-Author, “Judges need access to justice, too – or we risk public confidence in the entire system” (The Globe and Mail, June 8, 2020)
Co-Author and Panellist, “Justiciability and Jurisdiction in Judicial Review: A Primer on Recent Developments” (presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, “Justiciability: What is a justiciable issue?” Panel, 2019)
Author, “Proposed change to Ontario law fails to protect against online sexual abuse” (The Toronto Star, December 12, 2019)
Co-Author, “Re-examining Defamation Law in a Digital Age: The Landscape of Law Reform in Ontario” (Media Law Resource Center London Conference, 2019)
Co-Author, “The Supreme Court’s Jarvis ruling delivers a win for privacy, but it’s a missed opportunity for equality” (The Globe and Mail, February 14, 2019)
Author and Panellist, “Public Interest Interventions Before Administrative Tribunals” (presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law Conference, “Public interest intervention and standing in administrative hearings” Panel, 2018)
Co-Author, “Reasonable, Correct or Simply Fair?: Exploring the Standard of Review for Procedural Decisions” (presented at the Ontario Bar Association’s Institute, Ten Years Later: Coherence and Consistency in Administrative Practice Post-Dunsmuir, 2018)
Co-Author, “Sketching the Boundaries: Active Adjudication As a Means of Enhancing Fairness in Tribunal Proceedings” (presented at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Six-Minute Administrative Lawyer Conference, 2017)
Co-Editor, In Furtherance of Justice: The Judicial Life of Thomas A. Cromwell (Markham, Ont.: LexisNexis Canada, 2017)
Co-Author, “A Guide to Third Party Records Applications Under the Mills Regime” (Ontario Bar Association Charter Conference, 2016)
Author, “A Dangerous Step Backwards: The Implications of Conditional Permanent Resident Status for Sponsored Immigrant Women in Abusive Relationships” (Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies, 2012)
Key Legal Matters
Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia (SCC File No. 41061; decision pending). Acted for the intervener Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund in an appeal dealing with whether the Court should recognize a common law tort of family violence.
Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform v. Attorney General, 2023 ONSC 5197: Acted for the intervener Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund in an application challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s sex work laws.
Canadian Federation of Students v. Ontario (Colleges and Universities), 2021 ONCA 553: Acted for the interveners Start Proud and Guelph Queer Equality in this appeal dealing with the lawfulness of Ontario’s “Student Choice Initiative” ancillary fee framework applicable to post-secondary institutions.
R. v. Lim #4, 2021 ONSC 45: Acted for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in an application for production of materials in its possession in the context of a criminal sexual assault trial.
Smith v. Canada (Attorney General), 2020 FC 629: Acted for the applicant Ontario Superior Court judge on a successful judicial review related to a Canadian Judicial Council proceeding.
1704604 Ontario Limited v. Pointes Protection Association, et al., 2020 SCC 22: Acted for an intervener coalition of the Centre for Free Expression, the Canadian Association of Journalists, and the Communications Workers of America / Canada in an appeal dealing with the scope and application of Ontario’s anti-SLAPP legislation.
Hamlet of Clyde River et al. v. Petroleum Geo-Services Inc. et al., 2017 SCC 40: Successfully represented the Inuit appellants in this case dealing with the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult Aboriginal peoples in the context of a National Energy Board authorization process for seismic testing. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court agreed that the NEB’s authorization should be quashed due to a lack of adequate consultation.
S.C. v. N.S., 2017 ONSC 5566. Acted for the intervener, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, in a civil appeal addressing the issue of whether parties must seek directions from the court prior to using evidence subject to the deemed undertaking rule pursuant to exceptions to the rule.
Acting as counsel for various individual and institutional clients in judicial review proceedings before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court, and the Federal Court of Appeal.
Representing and advising sexual assault survivors on civil remedies and on applications affecting their rights in criminal proceedings.
Full Biography
Pam Hrick is a partner in Lerners’ Toronto Office. She is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Advocacy group, as well as the Personal Injury Law group. Her practice includes civil and constitutional litigation, administrative and regulatory law, human rights law, and representing survivors of sexual violence. She also draws on her expertise to advise boards of directors on governance matters.
Pam is a trusted advisor to individual and institutional clients. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as at the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. As Executive Director and// General Counsel of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), Pam led LEAF’s influential interventions in constitutional and equality litigation across Canada. She has a particular interest and expertise in judicial review and appeal proceedings.
Early in her legal career, Pam clerked for Justice Thomas A. Cromwell at the Supreme Court of Canada and Justice David Stratas at the Federal Court of Appeal. She also previously served as the Legislative Advisor and Issues Manager to the Attorney General of Ontario.//
In addition to her practice, Pam is an active contributor to the legal community and the broader community. She currently serves as an elected bencher of the Law Society of Ontario and as an adjudicator with the Law Society Tribunal. In these roles, she contributes her expertise to the regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the province. She has also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and charities, including The 519, a City of Toronto agency serving and advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
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