Lisa Cabel

Lisa Cabel is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Employment, Labour & Equalities Group and a trusted adviser to employers facing their most significant workplace challenges.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Lisa is frequently called upon to advise on high-stakes workplace matters, including labour relations disputes, human rights issues, workplace investigations, and other situations involving significant legal, operational, and reputational risk. Known for her pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach, she provides strategic counsel that aligns compliance requirements with broader business priorities.

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Lisa led the employment and labour law practice at a national multidisciplinary professional services firm. In this role, she built and expanded a highly regarded team, helping broaden the practice’s capabilities in areas including pay equity, workplace investigations, and modern slavery compliance. Her leadership contributed to the development of integrated solutions that enabled organizations to address increasingly complex people, governance, and regulatory issues.

Throughout her career, Lisa has worked with organizations ranging from entrepreneurial ventures and family-owned businesses to large public- and private-sector employers. She guides management teams through labour relations, collective bargaining, organizational change, employee conduct matters, occupational health and safety concerns, and employment disputes, bringing a practical perspective informed by decades of experience working alongside business leaders and HR professionals.

A respected voice in workplace law, Lisa is the author of the Ontario Litigator’s Guide to Human Rights Practice (2nd ed.) and regularly shares insights through speaking engagements, publications, podcasts, and media commentary. She is particularly recognized for her work in human rights, pay equity, and modern slavery compliance, including Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (Bill S-211).

Beyond her legal practice, Lisa is an active contributor to the profession and her community. She is deeply committed to mentorship, leadership development, and advancing opportunities for women, and has played a significant role in developing professional networks and programs that support the growth of future leaders.