Employment & Labour
Canada Guide 2025 : British Columbia
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 604 685 3456About
Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP
The Labour, Employment and Human Rights Group advises employers in all aspects of workplace law in both the provincial and federal sectors, including labour relations, employment law, collective bargaining, wrongful dismissals, human rights, employment standards, pension and benefits litigation, employment equity, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, privacy issues and business immigration.
Our group is proactive in resolving labour relations and employment issues and providing practical, sound and economic advice and developing strategies that will provide solutions consistent with the client’s business needs.
Members of the Group have extensive experience in acting as counsel before judicial and decision-making tribunals such as provincial and federal labour relations boards, arbitration boards, employment standards tribunals, human rights tribunals, workers' compensation boards as well as all levels of court.
We regularly provide collective bargaining advice and act as chief spokespersons for companies. Members of the Group have successfully negotiated collective agreements in a wide variety of industries, including the manufacturing, retail, transportation, forestry, film, credit union, security, construction and maintenance, education, child care and service industries. We also have extensive experience leading clients through mediation, conciliation, strikes, lockouts, picketing and other labour disruptions and unrest.
Chambers Review
Lawson Lundell is a well-regarded regional firm operating out of Vancouver and across Western Canada. It advises local and national employers on all aspects of labour and employment law, with notable areas of expertise including collective bargaining agreements, grievance arbitrations, labour relations and pension and benefits litigation. The firm and its lawyers have experience acting for clients in the mining, hospitality and retail sectors, with workplace human rights issues, wrongful dismissals and privacy matters accounting for much of its robust workload. In addition to representing employers, the firm possesses further expertise in representing plaintiff employees.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lawson Lundell are incredibly responsive and provide exception work product."
"They are quick to respond and a high level of service is provided."
"They are prompt, accurate, efficient and concise."
"Lawson Lundell are very knowledgeable, thorough and pragmatic. In particular, labour relations experience has been excellent."
"They are always methodical in their approach and know our business well, so they provide relevant insight."
"Lawson Lundell are incredibly responsive and provide exception work product."
"They are quick to respond and a high level of service is provided."
"They are prompt, accurate, efficient and concise."
"Lawson Lundell are very knowledgeable, thorough and pragmatic. In particular, labour relations experience has been excellent."
"They are always methodical in their approach and know our business well, so they provide relevant insight."
Notable Practitioners
Robert Sider KC is a Vancouver-based lawyer and the head of Lawson Lundell's labour, employment and human rights group. He is renowned for his skill in wrongful dismissals, workers' compensation claims and workplace investigations. Additionally, he has notable experience advising on the employment aspects of M&A transactions.
"I really enjoy working with Rob and his style. He is very knowledgeable and pragmatic in his approach and work."
"Rob Sider has advised us in numerous complex employee matters, which have yielded successful outcomes on a consistent/sustained basis."
"Rob is well-versed on all subjects and fabulous to deal with on employment law."
Nicole Skuggedal frequently acts on the labour and employment aspects of high-profile M&A transactions. She is based in Vancouver and excels at advising on employment policies, executive terminations and labour arbitrations.
"Nicole is an excellent lawyer. She is thoughtful and provides excellent advice and counsel."
"Nicole has a great way about her and is very good with our board in particular. She engenders their trust and that is key for us."
Katy Allen is an increasingly prominent Vancouver-based lawyer, who often assists with high-profile workplace investigations. She also excels at handling labour and employment aspects of M&A transactions.
"Katy is excellent to work with and her level of professionalism and knowledge is appreciated."
"As a client, I have significant trust in and respect for Katy Allen. She has always provided us with excellent legal counsel, in a prompt, concise, efficient and well-thought through manner."
"Katy has assisted us in some challenging member related issues and the experience has been excellent. She is capable and explains things in a very understandable way."
"Katy is very knowledgeable and has guided us through some complex employee matters. She gives us options and the opportunity to ask questions and choose the right path to proceed."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lawson Lundell LLP
British Columbia
Members
Provided by Lawson Lundell LLP
Amy Nathanson
Cory Sully
Deborah Cushing
Katy Allen
Ritu Mahil
Robert Sider
Ryan Berger
Sandra MacKenzie