Employment & Labour

Toronto-based Brian Burkett is a highly experienced senior employment lawyer, who continues to advise high-profile federal clients on collective agreements and bargaining.He is also esteemed for providing companies with strategic employment advice, including on policy and legislative initiatives.

"Brian is a powerhouse."

"They don't get much better than Brian, he has wisdom, extraordinary customer focus, his advice is always spot-on. He is top of my mind."

Douglas Gilbert continues to be widely respected for his skills in assisting federal clients with a broad range of labour and employment matters. Based in Toronto, his work includes advising on employment policy, collective agreements and other employment matters resulting from organisational changes or restructurings.

"Douglas is a tremendous senior practitioners and highly regarded."

"Douglas is an outstanding lawyer."

Karen Sargeant is the managing partner of Fasken's Ontario offices. She wins praise for representing both provincial and federal clients in the healthcare, education and industrial sectors and is particularly skilled in collective bargaining agreements, arbitration and employment-related litigation. She also advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions.

"Karen is simply the best. She is smart, kind, creative and knowledgeable of our industry. She understands our union partners and has excellently defended our position on many occasions."

"I have really enjoyed working with Karen on several matters. She is thoughtful, smart and solution-oriented."

"She has great knowledge and great service."

Jackie VanDerMeulen is a well-regarded labour and employment lawyer, who has notable experience in contentious employment matters, such as wrongful terminations and discrimination claims. Based in Toronto, she represents both provincial and national clients, and her expertise also extends to workplace human rights and collective bargaining issues.

"Jackie is wonderful to work with. An overall stellar lawyer."

"Terrific lawyer with exceptional skills."

"Jackie is an absolute delight - practical, responsive and thinks about what we really need as a company. And she is a really good listener. I would trust her with my eyes closed."

Christopher Pigott is a highly regarded labour lawyer, based in Toronto. He is well-versed in collective bargaining and employment-related disputes, providing strategic advice to both federal and provincial clients. He is particularly skilled in human rights cases and advising on federal policy initiatives. He is singled out for his representation of clients in court.

"Chris is a highly knowledgeable lawyer who understands the complexity of our business and is always willing to support."

"Chris is a better litigator than you would expect from his year of call. I am blown away by his litigation and cross examinations. He is thoughtful and not a surface thinker."

"Chris is responsive, thorough and willing to help. He is very good."

Alix Herber is based in Fasken's Toronto office and advises clients on employment issues related to transactions and assists with labour union negotiations and contentious matters.

"Alix has has in-house experience, she knows her stuff and how to deliver. She is excellent, responsible, capable and my go-to person."

"Alix is a pleasure to work with. She is responsive and knowledgeable and provides timely and practical advice."

"Alix is an extremely knowledgeable and practical partner when dealing with complex cases."

Erin Porter is based in Toronto and is the chair of Fasken's labour, employment and human rights practice group. With experience as in-house counsel, Erin has specific expertise in the health care sector, offering clients advice in all employment, labour and human rights matters.

"Erin provides us with superb service, advice and counsel. She is a fantastic litigator and strategist. I cannot recommend her highly enough."

"Erin is supportive, smart, knowledgeable of our industry, creative, a great communicator, very understanding and fun (which is important in stressful situations)."

"Erin's knowledge and level of service is excellent."

Ian Campbell is based in Fasken's Toronto office and has a wide employment, labour and human rights practice. He has experience representing unionised employers in labour arbitrations before federal and provincial labour and human right tribunals. He also advises clients on all manners of employment law matters, including wrongful dismissal, restricted covenants and collective agreements.

"Ian Campbell is very practical and strategic and always cuts to the heart of the issue.He is also always willing to sacrifice his own time and do whatever he can to assist."

"Ian is very easy to work with. He is very pragmatic and provides trusted advice to us. He is an excellent lawyer and is extremely well-regarded by the company."

"Ian is very knowledgeable of our business and provides excellent legal and business advice."

"Ian is responsive and knowledgeable of our business. He always makes himself available knows how we operate internally too."

"Ian is available and flexible with his time to meet our needs. He understands how the organisation functions in terms of providing the best advise that aligns with the organisation vision and values."

Jacob Wagner enjoys a rising reputation for his management-side practice, advising on a wide range of labour, employment and human rights issues.

"Jacob always provides insightful information and great customer service."