Toronto, ON — December 2nd, 2025 — Three of Canada’s leading management labour, employment, and human rights lawyers — Alix Herber, Erin Porter, and Marc Rodrigue — have joined forces with experienced law firm leader, Maneli Badii to launch Protea LLP, a boutique law firm dedicated to guiding employers through the evolving world of work with clarity, strategy, and impact.
With decades of combined experience working as partners in one of Bay Street’s premier labour, employment and human rights practice group, the founding partners bring complementary strengths:
-
Alix Herber, a nationally recognized senior partner and Fellow of the American College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, is known for her strategic, solution‑oriented advice and deep expertise in litigation, executive compensation, workplace issues and investigations.
-
Erin Porter, offers pragmatic, business‑driven advice and advocacy informed by her extensive in‑house and sector experience at one of Canada’s largest health care providers.
-
Marc Rodrigue, former Director of Policy to Ontario’s Minister of Labour, combines strategic policy acumen with sophisticated litigation and arbitration experience.
They are joined by Maneli Badii, a former CEO of a leading litigation firm, known for her expertise in organizational leadership and commitment to delivering practical, efficient legal solutions to clients.
Alix, Erin, Marc and Maneli founded Protea LLP to deliver modern, innovative and client‑focused legal services that go beyond traditional models. The firm’s name reflects the protea flower, celebrated for its diversity, strength, and adaptability. True to its namesake, Protea LLP lawyers do not just solve problems; they help employers adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing legal environment.
“We created Protea LLP to offer employers something different: a boutique firm that is agile, strategic, and deeply attuned to the realities of today’s workplaces,” said Marc Rodrigue.
“Our clients want practical, reasonably priced solutions that balance strong advocacy with business realities. Protea is built to deliver exactly that,” added Erin Porter.
“As a native South African, I have a deep connection to its national flower, the protea. It represents transformation, courage and strength — and that’s what we bring to our clients,” said Alix Herber.
Maneli Badii added “Innovation drives our culture. It fuels our strategy, and shapes how we grow talent and serve clients.”
Protea LLP will advise and represent federally and provincially regulated employers across all aspects of labour, employment, and human rights law, with particular expertise in litigation, grievance arbitration, collective bargaining, executive compensation, mergers & acquisitions, workplace investigations, and strategic advisory mandates.
About Protea LLP
Protea LLP is a boutique law firm based in Toronto, founded by Alix Herber, Erin Porter, Marc Rodrigue, and Maneli Badii. The firm provides strategic, practical, and people‑focused legal services to employers navigating the complexities of labour, employment, and human rights law.
Clear advice. Bold strategy. Real results.
Media Contact:
Maneli Badii
CEO and Managing Partner
Protea LLP
416.845.7297
mbadii@proteallp.com
www.proteallp.com
