After 15 years at national firms in Montreal and Toronto, Lai founded a boutique law firm in 2014, focusing on workplace law, human rights, professional regulation and litigation. Licensed in Ontario and Quebec, she and her team assist individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and entrepreneurs based in Canada, as well as U.S. and China, with their legal issues. Her clients include those in education, healthcare, manufacturing and financial / banking services. A member of ADR Institute of Ontario, she also conducts workplace investigations as well as mediations.
Lai is committed to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She has held roles as past-President of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and Chair of the Roundtable of Diversity Associations ("RODA"), both lawyer groups committed to diversity initiatives.
In addition to her practice, Lai is a part-time Deputy Judge, Toronto Small Claims Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice. She is also one of the Counsel in the Discrimination and Harassment Counsel Program, a service funded by the Law Society of Ontario, and a Tribunal Member at the Condominium Authority Tribunal.
Lai is a board member of Up with Women, a not-for-profit organization operating in various cities in Ontario providing coaching to homeless women, and a Trustee with CPAC Foundation. She is also Vice-President of the Ontario Deputy Judges Association.
While passionate about her work and non-profit commitments, Lai also enjoys time with family and friends, and loves gardening. She looks forward to being able to travel again soon and, as a “foodie”, to discovering new great places to dine.