Laura Williams, LLB, CSP Lawyer, Speaker, HR Business Consultant, Workplace Investigator, Thought Leader, Corporate Trainer, Instructor, Podcaster Managing Partner, Williams HR Law LLP President and CEO, Williams HR Consulting Inc.
Laura has built two highly respected firms, Williams HR Law LLP and Williams HR Consulting Inc., which respectively provide proactive HR law and HR consulting advice designed to minimize workplace law challenges, maximize employee engagement and achieve team and organizational objectives. As an established business leader, proactive HR lawyer, strategic HR and EDI consultant, workplace investigator, educator and keynote speaker, Laura is a leading voice and highly sought after expert helping organizations and equipping leaders to recalibrate in our new era of work, intentionally and effectively.
As the founder and managing partner of Williams HR Law LLP and President and CEO of Williams HR Consulting Inc., Laura boasts more than two decades of experience providing strategic advice and legal representation to organizations on a full range of labour, employment law and human rights
matters. Laura is also regularly engaged as a workplace investigator and has conducted investigations across virtually all industries and sectors. Laura has specific expertise in conducting investigations and organizational reviews related to equity diversity inclusion and systemic discrimination issues.
Laura is passionate about providing her clients with proactive advice designed to minimize workplace law challenges, maximize employee engagement and boost their bottom line performance. She is widely recognized as a leader in helping organizations leverage innovative strategies to reduce liability and costs derived from ineffective and noncompliant workplace practices.
As a speaker, achieving the Certified Professional Speakers designation conferred by the National Speakers’ Association, Laura frequently chairs, educates and keynotes at legal, association and business conferences, and conducts customized in house corporate training to help organizations identify and address legal risks, implement equity, diversity and inclusion strategies, restore culture and optimize people management strategies.
As a recognized thought leader, Laura has been featured in various industry magazines, business and human resources publications. Laura has also been featured in various publications including Canadian Lawyer, Lawyers Weekly, Law Times, HR Professional Magazine, Canadian HR Reporter, Canadian Employment Law Today and Canadian Labour Law Today. In addition, Laura has appeared in various national broadcast and print media including CTV News, Global News, BNN, CBC Radio, the Globe and Mail, National Post, Canadian Business Magazine and Chatelaine.
In addition to her work, Laura is a member of various professional organizations and community service associations. She has been appointed as an advisor on the University of Western Ontario’s newly formed Equity Council and to the Adidas United Against Racism Accountability Council. Laura also has many years of service on various Boards of Directors, including most recently for Canadian Society of Association Executives and is the Chair of the 360Kids Board of Directors.
Williams HR Law has been multi-award winning throughout the years, including being honoured with the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Business Achievement Award, the York Region Business of the Year Award. In 2016, Laura received the distinction of being listed on the annual W100, which ranks the top 100 female entrepreneurs in Canada. In 2018, Laura was bestowed the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Toronto and the Firm was awarded Labour and Employment Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the national Canadian HR Awards. In 2019, Laura was awarded the Presidents Award for a keynote delivered at an international speaking competition. Laura received the honour of being listed as one of the Top 100 Black Females to Watch in 2020 from Canadian International Black Women Event. Laura has recently launched a podcast for business leaders and HR Professionals called, We Thrive Forward – Conversations with Laura Williams which is available on all major platforms.
