Grace McDonell maintains a broad practice in labour, employment & human rights as well as litigation and dispute resolution. She is an Associate with the Labour, Employment & Human Rights group at Fasken’s Toronto office. She was recently named a recipient of the 2022 Emerging Leader Award from Victoria College at the University of Toronto for her national equity, diversity & inclusion work.
Grace regularly assists clients on equity, diversity & inclusion issues and initiatives as well as their litigation needs. Grace is a member of the Fasken firmwide Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and co-vice chair of Fasken Pride Network. She is a former director of the Canadian Bar Association Sexual Orientation & Gender Inclusion Committee BC Branch.
Grace completed her law degree at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops where she received the Law Foundation of BC Entrance Scholarship, the Thompson Rivers University Advocate’s Award and the Law Foundation of BC Public Interest Scholarship. Grace served as a representative for LGBTQ2SIA+ law students in Law Society of British Columbia v. Trinity Western at the Supreme Court of Canada. Upon graduation from law school, a scholarship was announced in her name for future students who exemplify academic achievement and leadership in advancing diversity.
Grace completed her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of Toronto and completed a summer program at the University of Chicago in Academic & Professional Writing and Ethics. She was the recipient of the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award and was voted as the member of the graduating class who contributed the most to the school and was considered to best represent the Class at Convocation.
Grace spent the summer of 2016 at a boutique litigation firm in Vancouver. Prior to entering law school, Grace spent summers working at a non-profit legal society, a start-up firm operating out of Walmarts and a medium size Vancouver law firm. During the school year, Grace facilitated workshops for youth on the age of consent, criminal harassment, and youth worker rights.
