Legal Team
Fink & Bornstein has provided straight forward, no nonsense Workplace Safety and Insurance Board advice and Labour and Employment advice, to Workers and Employers for over 40 years.
Richard A. Fink
Richard A. Fink is recognized by Lexis Legal information as being the number one advocate (in appearances) at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).
Richard A. Fink is a lawyer certified by the governing body of lawyers, (Law Society of Ontario) as a specialist. Richard has extensive experience with handling WSIB Cases.
Over 30 years of experience in High Rise Residential Landlord and Tenant litigation before the Courts and at Tribunals. Extensive Experience Dealing with: the Landlord & Tenant Board & Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). While Mr. Fink is no longer actively practicing in this area, his legacy and knowledge continue to guide the firm’s approach to these matters.
On October 18, 2006 Mr. Fink spoke at the Ontario Bar Association Seminar which was entitled: “Real Property – Residential Tenancies Redux Bill 109, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Mr. Fink participated in the seminar to discuss what is new, old and problematical in the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.
On November 27, 2009, Mr. Fink was the Chair and headed the Seminar at The Law Society of Upper Canada entitled “Best Practices for Paralegals before the Landlord and Tenant Board”. The Seminar was held to assist Paralegals, representing both Landlords and Tenants, with processes and proposed changes within the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Elinor T. Bornstein
Elinor Bornstein graduated from the University of Windsor and was called to the bar in 1981. She has over 30 years experience representing injured workers as the senior partner in Fink & Bornstein Law Office . She is currently in charge of legal administrative works for our Law Office.
Josh Kirshenblat
Josh Kirshenblat graduated from the University of Victoria in 2011. After law school he returned to his hometown of Toronto. He worked in a number of industries after law school, including being part-owner of a small independent bike messenger co-op. It was there that he developed his passion for helping injured workers. In 2019 he enrolled in the Ryerson Law Practice Program. He started working with Fink and Bornstein P.C. in March 2020, and was called to the Bar in August 2020.
Josh now leads the firm’s Landlord and Tenant litigation practice, representing clients before the Landlord & Tenant Board and in matters under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
Alan G. McConnell
Alan’s practice focuses on employment law matters, including wrongful dismissal actions, human rights complaints, and issues involving Occupational Health and Safety.
He has represented employer and worker clients before the Court of Appeal, Divisional Court, Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, Human Rights Tribunal, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Labour Arbitration Boards, and the Employment Standards Branch.
His Occupational Health and Safety practice involves providing constructors, employers and managers with advice on how to comply with the complex rules and regulations governing safety in the workplace. He works with employers on developing approaches to properly enforce health and safety policies and discipline offenders. He has extensive experience providing advice in the immediate aftermath of serious workplace accidents. Alan has successfully defended employers and managers charged with various offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Additional Information
Education
- McGill University (LL.B. 1993)
- University of Toronto (M.A. 1988)
- Simon Fraser University (B.A. Honours 1985)
Legal Experience
- Fink & Bornstein Professional Corporation (1999 – present)
- Smith, Lyons, Torrance, Stevenson & Mayer, Barristers & Solicitors (1993 – 1998)
Examples of Cases Litigated by Alan
- Successfully defended small, medium and large employers facing charges in the Ontario Court of Justice for alleged violations of the OHSA;
- Successfully defended company and manager facing complaint before Human Rights Tribunal for discrimination in termination of employment;
- Successfully represented worker client in application to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal for discriminatory termination of employment on the basis of disability;
- Successfully defended paralegal in Ontario Court of Justice charged with providing false and misleading statements to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board; and
- Represented major steel company in Court of Appeal challenging the constitutional validity of a prosecution under the OHSA.
Pamela Hughes-Ford
Pamela Hughes-Ford graduated from Humber College in 2005. After college, Pamela started working for Fink & Bornstein as a law clerk. She learned about WSIB/ASD/WSIAT and the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act by hands on training at Fink & Bornstein. She has continued to work for Fink & Bornstein for the past 20 years. Pamela is certified with the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario. She is a valuable member of our Law Firm and is a dedicated advocate for our clients. She treats every client with dignity and respect, and goes above and beyond each day to assist our clients and law firm.
