Deborah Howden

Deborah joined Shibley Righton LLP in 2005 and is a partner with the firm. Her education and practical experience make her well suited for developing pragmatic solutions to legal problems in the areas of law in which she practices. This is especially true in civil litigation, human rights and employment law, and in working with condominium corporations and other institutional clients.

Born and raised in Montreal, Deborah received her primary education in the French school system, and is fluently bilingual. She planned to be a teacher, and received undergraduate degrees in Arts and Education from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, before earning her Ontario Teaching Certificate. She then completed her Practicum and wrote her LSAT, decided to take a few law courses, and never turned back.

Deborah graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Law and was conferred with two law degrees – a Bachelor of Common Law and a Bachelor of Civil Law. Since her call to the Bar, Deborah has practised in the area of labour/employment and civil litigation. A large portion of Deborah's practice also relates to Condominium Law. She has acted as counsel, appearing before administrative tribunals and levels of court in Ontario, for many institutional clients, including condominium corporations.

Her practice involves employment and civil litigation and she also lends her expertise to Condominium, Education, and Public Law. She is a member of the Advocates’ Society, Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers’ Association, Canadian Bar Association, and Canadian Defence Lawyers.

Speaking Engagements and Media Attention

• Panelist, “Dealing with Covid-19 in Condominium Communities”, Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario Webinar, March 26, 2020
• Panelist, “Mental Health”, Fourth Annual Association of Condominium Managers Burlington Conference, Burlington Convention Centre, February 14, 2020
• Guest speaker, “Noise Nuisance – What a Havoc!” CCI – CondoStrength, Toronto, January 25, 2020
• Panelist, “Diversity and Inclusion”, A Bridge Panel Discussion sponsored by Turner & Townsend, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, October 10, 2019
• Closing Session Panelist, “Condos’ Court”, ACMO/CCI 23^rd Annual Condominium Conference, October 5, 2019
• Interviewee - "Fitness-for-work policy good alternative to drug testing: Howden", AdvocateDaily, Jennifer Brown, September 23, 2019
• Presenter/Speaker -  “Condos and Cold Ones” - The Forth, August 20, 2019
• Speaker, Mental Health in Condominiums, ACMO/CCI-Grand River Conference, April 5, 2019
• Interviewee - "Electronic voting could help with governance", Law Times, Marg Bruineman, January 21, 2019
• Interviewee - "Condos ban growing cannabis" - NOW Toronto, Samantha Edwards, October 10, 2018
• Presenter/Speaker - "Why You Gotta Be So Rude? Groia v. the Law Society of Upper Canada", Six Minute Employment Lawyer, Law Society of Ontario, June 21, 2018
• Interviewee - "Province's holiday pay reversal good news for employers", AdvocateDaily, May 17, 2018
• Presenter/Speaker - "What's New in CondoLand?", SpringFest, Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre, April 4, 2018
• Interviewee - "Defining harassment in the #MeToo era", AdvocateDaily, April 3, 2018
• Interviewee - "Sorry, you might not be allowed to smoke pot in your condo", Now Toronto, Samantha Edwards, March 21, 2018
• Interviewee - "Companies must focus on eliminating all workplace abuse: Howden", AdvocateDaily, March 8, 2018
• Interviewee - "Succession plans needed for future success", Law Times, Marg Bruineman, February 5, 2018
• Interviewee - "'Culture of acceptance' key with mental health issues at work", AdvocateDaily, January 24, 2018
• Interviewee - "The devil is in the details of employment contracts", AdvocateDaily, Kathy Rumleski, December 19, 2017
• Interviewee - "Expansion of human rights protection timely", AdvocateDaily, Linda Barnard, November 22, 2017
• Presenter/Speaker - "Health and Safety", 21st Annual Condominium Conference, Toronto Congress Centre, November 10, 2017
• Interviewee - "Responsibility for condo repair a complex issue", AdvocateDaily, October 11, 2017
• Interviewee - "Condominium owners in Ontario wade through uncharted legislative waters", Lawyer's Daily, September 26, 2017
• Interviewee - "Emergency leave proposal problematic for some employers", AdvocateDaily, Peter Small, August 31, 2017
• Presenter/Speaker - "How to Manage Human Rights Complaints" - Lawyer Shoutout, Courtyard at Mariott Toronto Downtown, August 23, 2017
• Interviewee - "Termination of employees on disability: a primer", AdvocateDaily, August 16, 2017
• Interviewee - "Condos grapple with accessibility accomodation", AdvocateDaily, June 20, 2017
• Interviewee - "Personal use of work tech best addressed by policies", AdvocateDaily, March 29, 2017
• Moderator - "Barrier Free Access in Condo Buildings", 20th Annual Condominium Conference, November 11, 2016
• Presenter/Speaker - "Boot Camp: Getting You in Condo Shape", Shibley Righton breakfast seminar, Toronto University Club, October 12, 2016
• Interviewee - "CRTC decision addresses telecom access in condos", CondoBusiness, Michelle Ervin, October 11, 2016
• Interviewee - "Beanfield Wins Access to Toronto Condos After CRTC Ruling", Globe and Mail Online, Christine Dobby, August 15, 2016
• Moderator - "Condo Health and Safety: Current Perspectives", 19th Annual Condominium Conference, November 13, 2015
• Presenter/Speaker - "Superbad: Addressing Bad Behaviour in Condos", Shibley Righton breakfast siminar, Toronto University Club, October 14, 2015
• Interviewee - "Delicately handling the demanding client", The Lawyers Weekly, Natalie Alcoba, April 3, 2015
• Human Rights Expert Guest Appearance (concerning Sexual Harassment in the Workplace) - Square Off, CH TV - December 9, 2014
• Interviewee - "Nipping It In The Bud: Early Intervention and Even a Mediator Can Help Prevent a Partnership Dispute from Turning Toxic", Succession Planning - The Bottom Line and Lawyers Weekly, Grant Cameron, Vol. 4, No. 3, Fall 2014
• Presenter/Speaker - "Mental Illness in Condos", 18th Annual Condominium Conference, November 8, 2014
• Presenter/Speaker - "Big Irks and Little Jerks", Shibley Righton breakfast seminar, Toronto University Club, October 16, 2014
• Interviewee - "Working Longer Brings Diminishing Returns", The Lawyers Weekly, Donalee Moulton, September 12, 2014
• Interviewee - "Transgender Ruling Includes Surprising Twist", Law Times, Marg Bruineman, September 8, 2014
• Human Rights Expert Guest Appearance (concerning Catholic education nights) - Square Off, CH TV - May 21, 2014
• Human Rights Expert Guest Appearance (concerning gender expression and gender identity) - Square Off, CH TV - February 6, 2014
• Human Rights Expert Guest Appearance (concerning disability accommodation and Trinity Western's law school) - Square Off, CH TV - January 22, 2014
• Presenter/Speaker - "The Aging Workforce and the Law", Challenge Factory Trailblazers' dinner, Toronto Varity Club, November 12, 2013
• Working Eight Days a Week? Join the Club, The Lawyers Weekly, Donalee Moulton, November 8, 2013
• Presenter/Speaker - "Human Rights and Wrongs - Policies and Procedures under the OHSA and AODA", 17th Annual Condominium Conference, November 15, 2013
• Presenter/Speaker - "Accommodating Mental Illness in Residential Settings", Shibley Righton breakfast seminar, Toronto University Club, October 22, 2013
• Presenter/Speaker - "Management Best Practices - Employment & Human Rights", ACMO seminar for managers, Hamilton Ontario, April 26, 2013
• Interviewee - Five ways to be a smart social media user in your job hunt, Suzanne Bowness, The Globe and Mail, January 10, 2013
• Interviewee - Employment Law Trends to Watch For in 2013, Sheryl Smokin, Moneyville, December 21, 2012
• Cases Show Risk of Cutting Disability Benefits – Law Times, November 14, 2011 edition.
• Presenter/Speaker – "Mediators: What do our Clients Expect from Us?" – ADR Institute Insurance Section – October 12, 2011.
• Presenter/Speaker – "Social Media Policies in the Workplace: Navigating the Complex World of Social Media Policy" – Lorman Education Services – July 12, 2011.