Danielle Sandhu

As a member of the Goldblatt Partners faculty association team, Danielle Sandhu practices labour law primarily in the university sector. Whether on individual matters or complex policy grievances, Danielle works with faculty members and their associations on a variety of collective agreement matters, with a particular interest in academic freedom, and human rights and equity issues. She understands the impact that harassment and discrimination can have on one’s personal and academic life. She draws on this understanding to support individuals experiencing harassment and discrimination, advocate effectively on their behalf and, where possible, achieve a meaningful mediated resolution.

Danielle summered and articled with us before joining the firm as an Associate. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She honed her advocacy skills as a caseworker at Parkdale Community Legal Services where she represented workers in matters before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and Small Claims Court. She is the recipient of the 2020 Art and Science of Advocacy Prize, F. W. Minkler Prize for Integrity, Scholarship and Contribution to the Law School, and IFLS Vanguard Award for bringing attention to issues of feminism. She was awarded the Greg Monforton Award for Best Examination-in-Chief at the 2020 Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Cup. Her paper, A Reasonable Alternative to Guilt: Flight and Anti-Black Racism, was recently published in the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues. Danielle looks forward to returning to campus in her new role as faculty association counsel.

Prior to law school, Danielle served as the Executive Director of a not-for-profit students’ union. As a student activist, she advocated on issues of access to education on the institutional, provincial, and national level, leading to changes in tuition fee policy, and the introduction of anti-sexual violence policies for Ontario colleges and universities.

Danielle currently serves as the Coordinator for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) Committee of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers/Association canadienne des avocats du mouvement syndical.

Outside of the office, Danielle enjoys running, travelling, and supporting the work of the Workers Action Centre.