Ozlem Yucel Partner
Ozlem Yucel is a Partner at Turnpenney Milne LLP and a highly regarded employment lawyer, advising both employees and employers on complex workplace matters. She is known for her strategic insight, practical judgment, and ability to deliver clear, decisive guidance in high-stakes situations.
Ozlem has a significant employee-side practice, where she acts as a trusted advocate for executives and professionals. She works closely with clients to ensure they are strategically positioned from the outset, fully supported throughout the process, and able to navigate complex transitions with confidence. She is recognized for her clear communication, practical advice, and effective advocacy in challenging and time-sensitive matters.
For her employer clients, Ozlem acts as a strategic partner, providing pragmatic, business-focused advice that aligns legal risk management with broader organizational objectives. She is frequently called upon to help organizations navigate complex workplace issues while proactively identifying and mitigating risk.
Having represented clients across the employment relationship – employees, employers, and as a neutral – Ozlem brings a distinctive and well-rounded perspective to her practice. This enables her to anticipate opposing strategies, identify risks early, and position her clients to achieve optimal outcomes. Ozlem is highly valued by her clients for her responsiveness, clarity, and steady guidance through complex and consequential matters.
Her practice spans all areas of employment law, including:
- terminations and severance,
- wrongful and constructive dismissal claims,
- executive compensation,
- human rights and discrimination matters,
- workplace investigations, and
- complex contractual disputes.
She has appeared before courts and tribunals, and is known for securing efficient, practical and results-oriented resolutions.
In addition to her advocacy practice, Ozlem is regularly retained as a Workplace Investigator and Assessor. She is recognized for her structured, thoughtful approach and for delivering fair, defensible outcomes with professionalism and sound judgment. Ozlem also acts as Mediator and Trainer, supporting employers in resolving disputes between employees and training staff to promote healthier work environments.
Ozlem is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in employment law. She regularly presents at leading conferences and training programs, including as a faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto Metropolitan University, the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), and Lancaster House. Her writing has also been widely published.
Outside of her practice, Ozlem is a proud mother of two and an active member of her community, including the Turkish-Canadian community.