Partner, Nelligan O’Brien Payne, LLP
Janice Payne is a senior partner at Nelligan O’Brien Payne. She has represented clients in cases that have strengthened the rights of employees in both the public and private sectors. Janice has also represented Canada’s Inuit in the Residential Schools settlement negotiations and in the proceedings to certify the class action and approve the settlement.
She has been recognized by her peers in the legal community on a number of occasions. In 2001, Janice was honoured for her pioneer role in the legal profession by the Women’s Law Association of Ontario, in recognition of her contributions to law, women in the profession, and the community. She was also honoured by The Advocates’ Society at its 2007 Ottawa Advocate Honoree Dinner, for her outstanding contribution as a lawyer in the Ottawa area. In 2008, Janice was awarded the Businesswoman of the Year – Professional Category by the Women’s Business Network. In 2012, Janice was awarded the prestigious Diamond Jubilee medal and was inducted into the Wall of Honour, by the University of Ottawa Common Law Society.
Janice was selected by her peers for her work in labour and employment law, and listed in the 2006 and all editions from 2008 to 2017 of The Best Lawyers in Canada. She was selected as Ottawa Labour and Employment Law “Lawyer of the Year” in the 2014 and 2017 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada. She was also selected as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada in the 2008 to 2011 and 2014 to 2017 editions of Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide and in the 2011 to 2017 editions of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for her Employment Law expertise. Janice was peer rated by Martindale-Hubbell in 2016 and 2017 and ranked “Preeminent” in recognition of her high level of professional excellence. She is frequently asked to speak and write on employment issues.