Canada: Management Labour & Employment
This sector continues to see a great deal of activity. Some of the issues that lawyers have dealt with are collective class actions, increased human rights cases, employers seeking counsel on corporate restructuring, and collective bargaining over wages and pensions. Our research identifies 54 lawyers who are praised for their industry knowledge and understanding of clients’ needs.
Heenan Blaikie LLP fields an “exceptional” team of 11 lawyers who are distinguished for their expertise in the field of management, labour and employment law including pensions. Roy Heenan OC is our international lawyer of the year 2011 for management labour and employment. He is founder and chair of the firm and has had an “impressive career”, which has seen him be appointed Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999 while in 2008 the Quebec bar awarded him the title of Emeritus Lawyer for his excellence and contribution to the legal profession. Negotiation and arbitration specialist Danny Kaufer focuses his practice on labour and employment law and was identified in our research as a “top-class lawyer”. Brian Burkett advises employers on collective bargaining, labour board proceedings, human rights complaints and wrongful dismissal claims in addition to providing strategic input on the development of labour and employment law policy at provincial, federal and international level. Peter Gall QC is “vastly experienced” and praised for his expertise that covers both the private and public sector. A frequent advocate before the Supreme Court of Canada, his litigation proficiency is “second to none”. Douglas Gilbert is a “major player” and fulfils a broad range of services for employers from advising in collective bargaining to representing employers in civil proceedings and before administrative tribunals. John Craig has built up an impressive practice in a relatively short length of time and is noted as a “very smart technician”. He regularly represents Canadian employers at meetings of the International Labour Organisation. Lawyer and mediator Jeffrey Goodman is a “highly skilled” practitioner in the fields of human rights, labour law, wrongful dismissal and directors’ and officers’ liability. Sonia Regenbogen is a “trusted advisor” to employers looking to develop and establish positive employee relations in the workplace. Andrea Zwack specialises in advising both public and private sector employers on the issues of unionisation and collective agreement negotiation and human rights, alongside general employment law matters. Thomas Brady is “well known” for his federal level work and Robert Bonhomme is a “very fine lawyer” in particular for compensation and benefits matters such as retirement plans.
Norton Rose OR LLP earns an “impressive” five listings in this chapter. Gilles Touchette represents employers and has a particular niche for acting as a spokesperson in collective bargaining and as an advisor on bargaining strategy and planning. Richard Charney is chair of the Toronto employment and labour law group and acts for employers and their organisations. He is an active litigator before national labour tribunals such as the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Managing partner of the Toronto office, John West is “highly regarded” for his expertise in the field and is a frequent speaker. He represents large public and private sector clients across Canada before various labour tribunals. Luc Beaulieu is “simply superb” in his advisory work to companies on management styles that aim to reduce their employees’ interest in unionising. John Coleman is managing partner of Norton Rose OR LLP and is noted for his “vast knowledge” of employment and labour matters related to federally regulated industries such as banking and communications companies.
Four lawyers are selected for inclusion from Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP. Kathryn Bush is a pensions and employee benefits specialist with notable clients including the Association of Canadian Pension Management. Connie Reeve has represented clients before all levels of the Ontario courts and at arbitrations and mediations. She is “well-versed” in issues pertaining to employment standards, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, human rights and compensation and benefits. Derek Rogers is noted for his specialist expertise in wrongful dismissal cases where he has acted as counsel on behalf of employers in litigation and judicial review proceedings. Jeremy Forgie is “top-notch” for pensions and compensation matters and has advised some of Canada’s largest public corporations on the technicalities and implementation of stock compensation plans.
Employment and labour law specialists Harris & Company LLP fields four “leading individuals”. Among them, Gavin Hume QC is “highly recommended” and has experience before labour relation boards, arbitration boards and the courts. Hume is known for his “industry know-how”, which he used to aid clients with their long-term planning in the sector. Eric Harris QC has a “long-standing reputation” in the field of employment and labour law. Colin Gibson has represented employers in high profile and complex cases where he seeks to find cost-effective and creative solutions. Michael Coady, with more than 30 years experience, is a “proficient advocate” and his practice covers collective agreements, employer and successorship applications, unfair labour practice charges and strikes and picketing complaints.
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP is an employment and labour boutique dedicated solely to representing management and three of its specialists are selected. Roy Filion QC has spent his entire career in the field of labour and employment law and can draw upon a “wealth of expertise” in litigation and arbitration. Peter Thorup is an “adept practitioner” whose work spans a wide range of issues from collective bargaining to corporate restructuring and the development of pro-active employer strategies. David Wakely is a “leading authority” on employment issues and regularly represents employers in matters before the courts.
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP has three lawyers listed for their proficiency in this field. Christopher Riggs QC is a “brilliant litigator” who practices employment, labour relations and administrative law. John Brooks has a diverse employment practice and regularly acts as chief spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations. Managing partner Stephen Shamie focuses on collective agreements and human rights and is experienced in litigation and arbitration.
At McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Randy Bauslaugh is an “excellent lawyer” who specialises in pensions, benefits and executive compensation and is immediate past chairperson of the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association. Robb Macpherson has a varied employment and labour practice that ranges from collective bargaining to executive compensation and includes restructuring, discrimination and harassment.
Baker & McKenzie’s Stewart Saxe is certified as a human resource professional by the Human Resources Professionals Association and George Avraam is an “excellent litigator” with expertise in labour and employment law who has represented clients at all levels including before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Anne Corbett at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP advises on pensions, benefits and related investment arrangements and is past chair of the pension and benefits subsection of the Canadian Bar Association. Morton Mitchnick is a “terrific” litigator as well as a senior adviser to all levels of government.
Based in Montreal, Luc Deshaies of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP acts for employers in collective and individual labour relations. Geoffrey Howard is head of the employment and labour group in Vancouver and his “extensive experience” covers all employment relationship matters.
Thomas Roper QC at Roper Greyell LLP has a “long-standing reputation of excellence” in the field. Alongside him, Delayne Sartison is a “class act” and has particular expertise in the field of health sector labour relations.
Two lawyers earn recognition at the firm Stewart McKelvey: Brian Johnston QC is described as a “star” with a broad employment and labour practice and Harold Smith QC is “absolutely first-rate” according to his peers.
Donald Jordan QC at Taylor Jordan Chafetz is “well regarded” for his practice in which he advises private sector employers in unionised workplaces.
At Ritch Durnford, Eric Durnford QC advises on occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation and wrongful dismissal.
William Armstrong QC at his own firm, Armstrong Management Lawyers, is a “leading practitioner” and Frank Molnar at Field LLP is known for his “strong practice”.
Michael Sherrard of Sherrard Kuzz LLP is past chair of the national labour and employment section of the Canadian Bar Association and McTague Law Firm LLP’s George King is said to be a “terrific lawyer”.
Patricia Gallivan QC of Lawson Lundell LLP is known for her “strategic and practical” advice to clients and Lawrence Bertuzzi at Miller Thomson LLP has over 35 years experience in the field and represents management for a full range of employment and labour related matters. Brian O’Byrne at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP focuses his practice on labour relations and employment and human rights law and is experienced in restructurings and employee terminations.
At Aikins MacAulay & Thorvaldson, Milton Christiansen is a “top name” and Thomas Ross of McLennan Ross LLP offers his clients a wide range of services including arbitration and mediation. Grant Mitchell QC with the firm Taylor McCaffrey is a “trusted advisor” and his experience of labour and employment law and occupational health and safety is “highly sought after”.