Victor Kim Photo
Victor Kim Photo
Victor Kim Photo

Victor Kim is a litigation lawyer who provides counsel in all areas of employment and labour law. He assists startups and established businesses in a range of industries, including the automotive, and construction and infrastructure sectors. He provides guidance on the management of unionized and non-unionized workforces, with a particular focus on advising contractors of all sizes on their relationships with Ontario’s construction trade unions.

Acting for employers at the provincial and federal levels, Victor advances the interest of his clients in labour arbitrations, collective bargaining, labour board proceedings, wrongful dismissal and human rights litigation, and occupational health and safety proceedings.

In his advisory practice, Victor counsels vendors and purchasers in connection with the employment and labour implications of complex corporate transactions. He also coaches employers on workplace investigations and the development of workplace policies. Licensed to practise in both Ontario and New York, Victor excels at explaining the intricacies of Canadian workplace laws in plain language to non-lawyers, as well as to American and foreign audiences.

Victor is chair and president of the Korean Legal Clinic and an active member of the firm’s South Korea Group. He is fluent in Korean.

Prior to studying law, Victor worked as a frontline manager at a unionized automotive factory in Ontario’s Rust Belt, where he developed a keen interest in labour relations.



Representative Matters

  • Unite Here! Local 75 v Fairmont Royal York Hotel, 2020 CanLII 11579 (ON LA)
  • Nuria Mohammed Abdosh v Ontario Nurses’ Association, 2018 CanLII 54132 (ON LRB)
  • Carpenters and Allied Workers, Local 27, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America v Labourers’ International Union of North America, 2018 CanLII 14243 (ON LRB)
  • Labourers’ International Union of North America, Local 183 v Crosstown Obayashi Technicore Constructors Ltd., 2016 CanLII 63498 (ON LRB)

News


Media Mentions

 


  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2025) as “One to Watch” in the area of Labour and Employment Law

Community Involvement

  • Employment Counsel to HanVoice

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Korean Legal Clinic; President / Chairperson
  • Korean Canadian Lawyers Association; member
  • International Association of Korean Lawyers; member
  • Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers; member
  • Ontario Bar Association; member
  • Canada Bar Association; member

Education & Admissions

2020
Called to the New York bar
2018
Called to the Ontario bar
2017
JDUniversity of Toronto
2010
BAUniversity of Washington

Publications

Insights (15 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

R v Greater Sudbury: Courts Consider Level of Knowledge, Skill, Expertise, and Control in Assessing Due Diligence of “Employers” under OHSA

The Court’s assessment of Sudbury’s due diligence now provides practical guidance to project owners respecting their obligations as “employers” under the OHSA.

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Sep 5, 2024
Featured Insight

Part Two of McMillan’s R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar

As a follow up to our first webinar back in December 2023 where we considered the history, details and legal implications of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Greater Sudbury, please join us for “Part 2” where Patrick Groom, Victor Kim and Annik Forristal will be joined by a panel of industry experts.

Details
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Featured Insight

R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar

Following a brief overview of the case and the SCC’s split decision, this discussion will focus on the implications of the decision to the roles and responsibilities of each project party, including the owner, contractor and design consultant (architect and engineer). The discussion will be interactive and will include an extensive Q&A period.

Details
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Featured Insight

Ontario Seeks to Remove Barriers and Promote Inclusivity for Women on Construction Worksites

Ontario has taken a significant step forward to promoting the inclusion of women in the construction sector.

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Apr 26, 2023
Featured Insight

Update for Ontario Employers: Proposed Changes Related to Remote Workers

Ontario employer's should note proposed amendments to the province's employment laws that would clarify remote employees' entitlements in mass terminations.

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Mar 24, 2023
Featured Insight

The 2022 Construction Labour “Open Period” – What Employers Need to Know

March 1 – April 30, 2022 is the “Open Period” for ICI collective agreements, and many non-ICI agreements, in Ontario. During this period members of construction unions can apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to terminate a union’s bargaining rights with their employer, or – more commonly – a rival union can apply to the Board to displace an existing union, in what is commonly known as a “raid”. During the Open Period employers will likely see increased union activity on sites as incumbent unions will seek to maintain member support, and as rival unions may try to gather support for a raid.

Join us on Wednesday, February 2nd for a discussion about what employers should expect and need to know if a decertification application or a displacement application involving their employees is filed at the Board.

Details
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Featured Insight

Ontario Arbitrators Continue to Uphold Terminations of Employees who Breach COVID-19 Safety Protocols

A recent decision by an Ontario arbitrator further affirmed the notion that dishonesty during COVID screening protocols by an employee can lead to termination.

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Jan 12, 2022
Featured Insight

Mandatory Vaccination Policy: “Reasonable, Enforceable”

A labour arbitrator upheld an employer’s mandatory vaccination policy, finding the policy to be reasonable and enforceable.

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Nov 11, 2021
Featured Insight

Mandatory Workplace COVID-19 Testing Policy Upheld

A recent labour arbitration decision in Ontario found that an employer can implement a mandatory COVID-19 testing policy.

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Sep 8, 2021
Featured Insight

Amendments to the OHSA Consolidate Reporting Requirements for Workplace Accidents Effective July 1, 2021

The Ontario government introduced amendments to Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to consolidate accident reporting requirements.

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Jun 30, 2021
Featured Insight

Mandatory Vaccination Policies: Enforceable or a Shot in the Dark? (February 10, 2021)

While mass vaccination hasn’t arrived, employers are already wrestling with what the rules should be as we start to return to a new normal.

Details
February 10, 2021 - 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST
Featured Insight

Mandatory Vaccination Policies for Employees: Enforceable or a Shot in the Dark?

There are vaccines, and there will be (at some point) enough for everyone in Canada to receive it. But what happens if your employees refuse to be vaccinated?

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Dec 23, 2020
Featured Insight

Sick, Lies, and Questionnaire: Arbitrators Uphold Terminations of Employees who Breached COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Two recent labour arbitration decisions held that attending work in breach of employer COVID protocols can lead to termination for cause.

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Dec 9, 2020
Featured Insight

McMillan’s Employment and Labour Webinar

This annual workshop addresses significant legal developments and provides practical advice on responding to employee issues.

Details
November 10, 2020 - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Featured Insight

Ontario Employers be Aware: New Mandatory Screening Requirements for Ontario Workplaces

Employers should take immediate steps to implement the new mandatory COVID-19 screening requirements for Ontario workplaces.

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Sep 30, 2020