Lawyer

Amarkai Laryea maintains a dynamic, fully bilingual practice working to advance the rights of unions, workers, and individuals. He has extensive experience and expertise in all areas of labour, human rights, and administrative law. He provides strategic advice to unions on both internal matters and external campaigns. He also represents athletes in processes including Safe Sport/UCCMS complaints, doping-related disputes, discrimination and discipline.

Amarkai has dedicated his career to working within Canada’s labour movement. Before joining RavenLaw, Amarkai was a leader in the legal services department of one of Canada’s largest unions. He has been an executive union member and staff representative for both private and public sector unions and has experience developing comprehensive organizing campaigns with the Strategic Affairs section of an international union. He also led a new initiative focused on increasing access to justice at a federal tribunal. Amarkai has appeared exclusively on behalf of unions and labour organizations, in both French and English, before Courts, labour arbitrators and administrative tribunals throughout the country.

When not working, Amarkai is usually out and about with his family. A sports fan, he plays basketball and soccer, and volunteers teaching hockey to Black youth with the African Canadian Association of Ottawa. He also played Collegiate soccer and has previously won gold at the Canadian Club Championships.

Amarkai’s lived experience as a Black person continuously impacts his work and community activities.  He has been pro bono counsel for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Canada. He is a mentor with the McGill Black Alumni Association and a member of the Black Legal Action Centre and the social justice organization Inter Pares.