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Andrea Sanche

Co-Managing Partner, Ricketts Harris LLP
Andrea Sanche is a commercial litigator and Co-Managing Partner of Ricketts Harris LLP. Andrea is most frequently engaged by private and family businesses on complex contractual and commercial disputes, employment law matters, and fraud cases. Her considerable experience with interlocutory motions, including jurisdiction motions and obtaining and resisting Mareva and Norwich orders, makes her a valuable ally. Although she is a tough and resolute advocate, Andrea’s peers most often remark that she is eminently reasonable, fair-minded, and in possession of a wicked sense of humour. At heart, she is an academically minded legal optimist, who is passionate about redressing injustice of all kinds. She is also intensely involved with various lawyers’ associations (most recently as a member of the Advocates’ Society’s 10+ Committee and TAS’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee) and is a dedicated community volunteer (most recently serving as Treasurer of Planned Parenthood Toronto). A reformed Winnipegger, Andrea never takes herself too seriously, and is predictably skilled at pushing cars out of ditches, jump-starting car batteries, and identifying the difference between a jambuster and a goldeye. Andrea obtained her B.A. (Advanced) from the University of Manitoba, her J.D. from the University of Toronto, and her LL.M. (Honours) from McGill University. Andrea is ranked one of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ – Corporate and Commercial Litigation and one of Post Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Toronto. She is a regular speaker and panelist, having been quoted in the Financial Post, Law Times, and MoneySense. She frequently speaks on issues relating to women and the law, employment law, breach of contract, shareholders’ rights and remedies, and legal procedure and strategy.
4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Thursday October 23

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Employers increasingly face requests to accommodate employees who identify as neurodivergent—those whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms. These complex concepts present unique challenges within employment law and regulation. This session addresses frequent client issues and provides practical strategies and best practices, including:

  • Legal accommodation requirements under the Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA
  • Documentation requirements: when you can request diagnosis or medical information
  • Managing disruptive behavior or safety concerns involving neurodivergent employees
  • Common accommodations and implementation strategies without creating team unfairness
  • Balancing performance expectations with neurodivergent employee needs while supporting career advancement