Claudia Desjardins Belisle

Claudia Desjardins Bélisle is an experienced labour and employment lawyer and is the leader of Miller Thomson’s Labour relations & Employment Group nationally. In February 2025, she became Managing Partner of the Montréal office. Claudia specializes in defending employers in complex litigation, particularly concerning restrictive covenants and the protection of confidential information. She advises clients on day-to-day human resources issues, including performance management, disciplinary actions, and terminations. She also brings strong expertise in resolving shareholder disputes and in the preservation of electronic evidence. Claudia supports clients during unionization campaigns and collective bargaining, serving both as a spokesperson and in advisory roles, while successfully advocating in court. Her practical approach to resolving major conflicts makes her an outstanding legal and business advisor.

Claudia regularly contributes to employment law conferences and publications, addressing current issues and providing valuable expertise to employers. Her dedication and leadership position her as a key figure in her field. 

Claudia’s commitment to mentorship and professional development has earned her numerous awards, highlighting her leadership and influence in the field, including being listed on Benchmark Litigation Canada’s 40 & Under List in 2025.

Updated Jan 2026

• Successfully represented SGS Canada Inc. before the Quebec Court of Appeal in an important reported case dealing the division of constitutional power in labour relations matters in Procureur général du Québec v. SGS Canada inc. This was a landmark decision dealing with the law applicable to issues regarding the division of constitutional powers in labour relations, particularly in the context of employees working on undertakings declared to be to the advantage of Canada. The Attorney General of Quebec has since filed an application for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada.
  
  
• Successfully represented an international organization in the contestation of an application for judicial review before the Superior Court of Quebec and successfully obtained the dismissal of the opposing party’s application as well as a condemnation for abuse of proceedings.
  
  
• Successfully represented an employer against a former employee in a complex litigation dealing with the violation of non-competition obligations, the duty of loyalty and the preservation of evidence, a first of its kind in Quebec.
  
  
• Successfully represented Traffic Tech Inc. in the defense of an injunction proceeding alleging a violation of restrictive covenants and misappropriation of confidential information.

• Labor and employment

• J.D., University of Ottawa, 2010
• LL.L., University of Ottawa, 2009

• Quebec, 2012