Photo of Shannon Baker

Shannon Baker is a Litigation Law Clerk with over 20 years of experience, specializing in employment law. Known for her precision and persuasive writing, she brings strong legal tech skills and supported a successful TSX IPO. Before joining SpringLaw, she ran a virtual law clerking business for international lawyers. Also a visual artist, Shannon blends logic and creativity in her work. She holds an ILCO certification and a B.A. in Art History.

A new year brings fresh plans, renewed energy, and big goals for growing your business. But January is also when many Ontario employment law changes quietly take effect. If your HR documents have not been reviewed recently, you could be starting 2026 with more risk than you realize.

For small and mid-sized employers, outdated contracts

As your small or medium-sized business grows, you’ll face more complex employment law questions. When those issues arise, one big decision often follows: should you hire an in-house lawyer, or rely on external legal counsel?

While having a lawyer on your payroll may sound convenient, many growing companies find the costs and responsibilities outweigh the

“Our mental space (i.e. idea space) expands and contracts in direct proportion