The Nembhard Standard.
Hard Work. Honest Counsel.

Ontario employees are entitled to reasonable notice of termination or pay in lieu. When an employer terminates without cause or adequate notice, or makes conditions so intolerable that resignation becomes the only option, there may be a claim for wrongful or constructive dismissal. Malik advises on entitlements, negotiates separation agreements, and takes the matter to court when that is what the situation requires.

The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, and other protected grounds. Malik appears before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and advises both complainants and respondents through every stage of Code-based proceedings.

Employees have the right to a workplace free from harassment and to raise concerns without fear of retaliation. Malik advises on harassment complaints, reprisal claims under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and related proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and administrative tribunals.

Claims involving unpaid wages, overtime, vacation pay, and benefits under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 turn on both the statutory floor and the specific contractual terms in play. Malik advises on entitlements and represents clients through Ministry complaints and civil proceedings.

Before signing an employment agreement or accepting a severance package, it is worth having counsel review the terms. Restrictive covenants, termination clauses, and release language can have lasting consequences. Malik provides clear, practical advice on what you are agreeing to and what you may be giving up.

Athletes and sports professionals require counsel who understands the structure of sports agreements, the applicable regulatory and tribunal frameworks, and the commercial landscape in which those relationships operate. Malik advises on contracts, endorsements, image rights, and disputes, with experience in sports disciplinary and governance proceedings.

Film, television, and music transactions involve layered agreements: production deals, distribution arrangements, talent agreements, co-production structures, and licensing terms, each with distinct risk. Malik has direct transactional experience across these formats, including coordination with U.S. counsel on cross-border matters.

For artists and athletes, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset in their portfolio. Malik advises on trademark registration and enforcement, copyright ownership and licensing, and the protection of name, image, and likeness rights, including in the context of endorsement and brand partnership agreements.

Disputes in sports and entertainment, whether between an artist and a label, an athlete and a governing body, or parties to a production agreement, often require a combination of negotiation, arbitration, and litigation. Malik advises on the right strategy and represents clients through the process.

Many entertainment industry relationships are governed by collective agreements, guild frameworks, and industry codes. Malik advises clients on their rights and obligations within these frameworks, including where individual agreements interact with or depart from collective terms.