MANAGEMENT LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT MARKETPLACE ANALYSIS
On the whole the employment market remains stable in Canada. Human rights and privacy issues are said to be “permeating every aspect of labour and employment law practice” with lawyers reporting a steep increase in the number of allegations of human rights violations being raised. The public sector is currently experiencing financial difficulties and the Ontario government imposed a two-year wage freeze as of September 2012. In this chapter we feature 59 lawyers who are experts on management-side labour and employment issues as well as advising on pensions.
Heenan Blaikie is once again the leading firm in our research with 11 lawyers selected for inclusion. In the Montreal office, Roy Heenan OC, chairman emeritus, is a “leading authority” on labour law matters. He is considered a “top name” in the field and is praised for his “unparalleled negotiation skills”. Danny Kaufer is well known for his “sophisticated handling” of complex disputes and is a “client favourite” for arbitration hearings. Robert Bonhomme is co-managing partner of the firm and a “true specialist” in labour relations, compensation and benefits matters. Thomas Brady specialises in federal labour, human rights and administrative law and regularly represents clients before the federal courts, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
The Toronto office also fields four individuals. Brian Burkett brings a “wealth of expertise to the negotiation table”. His practice includes strategic input on the development of labour and employment law policy at the provincial, federal and international levels, appearances before grievance arbitration and labour relations boards, and negotiation of collective agreements of behalf of employers. Douglas Gilbert is a “strong advocate” and represents employers before administrative tribunals as well as in civil proceedings for wrongful dismissal. He also earns recognition for his work as spokesperson in collective bargaining. John Craig is known for his “international focus” and advises Canadian, foreign and multinational employers on cross-border matters including corporate social responsibility, projects and human resource policies. The “excellent” Sonia Regenbogen has a broad practice including employee immigration and mobility, union certification campaigns, wrongful dismissals, workplace investigations and employment contracts.
In Vancouver, Peter Gall QC is a “superb litigator” who can be relied upon to “fight his client’s corner”. Andrea Zwack is a “go-to lawyer” for issues relating to unionisation and collective agreement negotiation as well as human rights matters while Peter Sheen is praised for his “hard-working ethic”.
Norton Rose Fulbright boasts six lawyers with the Montreal office the best represented. Gilles Touchette is a “distinguished” trial lawyer and negotiator, who is a “top choice” as spokesperson in collective bargaining. Luc Beaulieu is “always on hand to provide timely advice” in relation to employment, labour and human rights issues. John Coleman is a “leading expert” on employment and labour matters relating to federally regulated industries such as banking, transportation and communications companies. In Toronto, the global head of the employment and labour practice and national chair of the Canadian group Richard Charney is “highly sought-after”. He is joined by John West, a “solutions-oriented” lawyer focusing on executive employment matters, grievance arbitration, collective bargaining, wrongful dismissal claims and human rights issues, among others. Calgary-based William Armstrong QC has played an active role in shaping Alberta labour relations law and is “much admired” by peers.
At Roper Greyell, four names are singled out. Thomas Roper QC is a “great strategist” and is also praised for his “litigation skills”. Delayne Sartison QC focuses on strategic planning, dispute resolution and advocacy and is “a calming presence in crisis situations”. Duncan MacPhail is the founding managing partner of the firm and is commended for providing clients with “sensible advice” while Gregory Heywood is a “tough opponent” in labour litigation.
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie fields four lawyers to this edition. Managing partner Stephen Shamie focuses extensively on collective agreements and defending employers in arbitration cases, human rights hearings, Labour Board matters and Court proceedings. Jeffrey Goodman’s representation of employers in courts, tribunals and arbitrations has earned him a reputation as a “formidable opponent”. Elizabeth Brown is noted for her “pragmatic approach” and clients praise her “ability to convey complex issues in a clear and concise manner”. John Brooks advises on union organising and certification, collective bargaining and termination, layoffs and allegations of harassment and discrimination.
Three “first-rate” practitioners are selected from Harris & Company. Gavin Hume QC has a “high profile” in the field due to his “in-depth knowledge of the law”. Eric Harris QC is a “great problem solver” and “the one to turn to with less conventional problems”. Colin Gibson is a “creative individual” who “gets things done”.
At Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti, three nominees are featured. Senior partner of the firm Roy Filion QC has a “dedicated” employment and labour practice and is “first choice for disputes”. Peter Thorup is a “notable figure” in the market. He concentrates his practice on collective bargaining, corporate restructuring, development of proactive employer strategies and labour and employment litigation. Completing the trio, David Wakely is a “labour relations guru”.
Borden Ladner Gervais boasts three lawyers including Anne Corbett, who is described as “highly proficient” in pension and benefits matters. Gabriel Somjen is based in the firm’s Vancouver office and is known for his “expert handling” labour and employment disputes. He is also an arbitrator and mediator. Morton Mitchnick is a senior adviser to all levels of government and serves as counsel, arbitrator and mediator in wrongful dismissal actions.
Three lawyers stand out in our research from Stewart McKelvey. Brian Johnston represents employers from a variety of industries and is known for his “ability to get results”. With 30 years’ experience, Peter McLellan QC is considered a “dean of the employment bar”. He is also “well qualified” to advise on pensions and employee benefits matters. Harold Smith QC “combines technical excellence with industry knowledge to great effect”.
Blake Cassels & Graydon’s Connie Reeve co-leads the national employment and labour group and heads the Toronto group. She is an “experienced advocate” and a “safe pair of hands”. Alongside her, Kathryn Bush focuses on pension and employee benefits law and her experience includes serving as one of the four advisors to the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions which made recommendations on the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario).
At Gowling Lafleur Henderson, Luc Deshaies acts for employers in collective and individual labour relations as well as for managers in dismissal matters while Geoffrey Howard leads the employment and labour group for the Vancouver office and is a “trusted adviser”.
Thomas Ross of McLennan Ross is a “font of knowledge” on labour and employment matters. He is joined by David Ross QC, a “time-honoured” practitioner with extensive experience representing clients in the construction, natural resources, utilities, manufacturing, broadcasting, forestry and transportation sectors, among others.
Donald Jordan QC is a founding partner of Taylor Jordan Chafetz and enjoys an “enviable reputation in the field”. Concentrating on labour, employment, administrative and constitutional law, he acts for a broad range of private sector employers.
Miller Thomson’s Lawrence Bertuzzi is a “must for inclusion”. With over 35 years’ experience he provides clients with “insightful, practical advice”.
Eric Durnford QC of Ritch Durnford is “greatly valued” by clients for his “skilful advocacy” before courts, boards, tribunals and in collective bargaining.
At Sherrard Kuzz, founding member Michael Sherrard represents public and private sector employers and is “really great”.
Grant Mitchell QC of Taylor McCaffrey is an “established practitioner” who clients can rely on for “sound and practical advice”.
At Aikins MacAulay & Thorvaldson in Manitoba, Milton Christiansen is considered a “leading individual” in the field. His practice encompasses collective agreements, employee discipline and termination, workplace policies, human rights matters and judicial review and litigation.
Craig Neuman QC of Neuman Thompson has appeared before courts at all levels, arbitration tribunals, labour relation boards, workers’ compensation tribunals, employment standard umpires and human rights tribunals. Sources praise his “great work ethic”.
McTague Law Firm’s George King is “excellent”. He has experience in arbitrations, collective bargaining, union avoidance, labour relations board matters, occupational health and safety matters and wrongful dismissal matters.
At Field, Frank Molnar chairs the Calgary labour and employment group and is relied upon for “well-informed, strategic advice”.
Lavery de Billy is represented by Pierre-L Baribeau, a “first-rate” practitioner advising on class actions, human resources and collective agreements.
Randy Bauslaugh leads McCarthy Tétrault’s national pensions, benefits and executive compensation practice. He is “well versed” on plan governance, plan mergers, restructurings and conversions, surplus repatriation and deficit management.
Lawson Lundell’s Patricia Gallivan QC is a “specialist” in the areas of labour relations, employment and human rights law.
At Baker & McKenzie, George Avraam is a “great trial and appellate lawyer” with significant expertise in labour and employment law.
Barbara Johnston is the national co-chair of the Dentons Canada labour and employment group and enjoys a “high-profile reputation” in the sector.
Brian O’Byrne at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin is consistently highly nominated for his “efficiency”.
MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman’s Brian Kenny QC is “greatly respected” in the field of collective agreements.
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