Thomas A Roper KC
Canada Guide 2025
Senior Statespeople : Employment & Labour
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
604.806.3850Share profile
Senior Statespeople
About
Provided by Thomas A Roper KC
Practice Areas
Tom is a founding partner* at Roper Greyell where he advises employers on all aspects of employment law and labour relations and represents clients in employment related litigation.
A tireless advocate for the highest standards of employment and labour practices, Tom’s expertise is sought after by clients, organizations, educators and colleagues.
During his career, spanning almost five decades, Tom has shared his extensive experience and technical understanding of the law with young lawyers in his firm through mentoring relationships. In 2014, Tom received the Vancouver Bar Association, Peter S. Hyndman Mentorship Award for his guidance and mentorship to professionals in the legal industry and most recently was honoured as a recipient of the Bora Laskin Award for 2022 for his outstanding contributions to Canadian labour law.
Tom specializes in strategic planning and counsel work. A sought-after speaker, he has lectured for Continuing Legal Education and is frequently invited to speak on labour and employment law matters. His extensive, detailed knowledge base enables him to represent clients solidly and effectively in the public, private sectors and professional associations.
In 1992, Tom was appointed by the Minister of Labour as part of a three-person panel to review and propose revisions to the BC Labour Relations Code. The panel’s recommendations resulted in major changes to the labour legislation in B.C.
Tom is a past-president of the Human Resources Management Association of British Columbia (now the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon) and he is a member of the Board of Governors for the Business Council of British Columbia.
Away from the office, Tom relaxes by spending time in Mexico and on the Sunshine Coast.
*Law corporation
Career
Alexander Holburn, 1974-1999; Appointed Queens Counsel, 1998; Ogilvy Renault, 1999-2006
Professional Memberships
Canadian Bar Association; Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon (CPHR); Canadian Association of University Solicitors; Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers; Canadian Labour Law Association; International Society for Labour and Social Security Law; American Bar Association; Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (U.S.); Fellow, American Bar Foundation.
Publications
Appointed in 1992 by the Minister of Labour to a committee of Special Advisors to recommend labour relations strategy for BC and one of three special advisers responsible for drafting the Labour Relations Code.
Education
University of British Columbia
LL.B
Awards
Best Lawyers Global Business Edition, Employment and Labour Law
Best Lawyers
2020
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2006
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2007
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2008
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2009
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2010
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2011
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2012
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2013
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2014
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2015
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2016
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2017
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2018
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2019
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2020
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2021
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2022
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2023
Best Lawyers in Canada
Best Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year (Vancouver)
Best Lawyers
2014
Bestlawyers.com’s “The Best Lawyers in Canada”
Best Lawyers
BIV BC500 Most Influential Business Leaders in British Columbia
BIV BC500
2021
BIV BC500 Most Influential Business Leaders in British Columbia
BIV BC500
2022
BIV BC500 Most Influential Business Leaders in British Columbia
BIV BC500
2023
Bora Laskin Award
Bora Laskin
2022
Canadian HR Reporter, 5-Star Employment Lawyer
Canadian HR Reporter
2022
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2016
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2017
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2018
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2019
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2020
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2021
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2022
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2023
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, Recommended for “Employment Law – Employer” and “Labour Relations – Management”
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2024
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2016
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2017
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2018
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2019
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2020
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2021
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2022
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2023
Chambers Canada
Chambers Canada
2024
Human Resources Management Association of British Columbia, Honourary Lifetime Membership
Human Resources Management Association of British Columbia
2015
International Bar Association’s “Who’s Who of Management Labour & Employment Lawyers”
International Bar Association
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent rating
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
Lexpert/ALM “The Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada”
Lexpert/ALM
2020
Lexpert/ALM “The Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada”
Lexpert/ALM
2021
Vancouver Bar Association, Peter S. Hyndman Mentorship Award
Vancouver Bar Association
2014
Who’s Who Legal, Global Elite Thought Leader: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2021
Who’s Who Legal, Global Elite Thought Leader: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2022
Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leader: Labour and Employment
Who’s Who Legal
2019
Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leader: Labour and Employment
Who’s Who Legal
2023
Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leader: Labour and Employment
Who’s Who Legal
2024
Who’s Who Legal, Global: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2021
Who’s Who Legal, Global: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2022
Who’s Who Legal, Global: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2023
Who’s Who Legal, Canada: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2023
Who’s Who Legal, Canada: Labour, Employment and Benefits
Who’s Who Legal
2024
Chambers Review
Canada
Thomas Roper KC is a widely revered, long-standing Vancouver-based lawyer with extensive experience in labour relations and employment strategic planning. His practice also includes acting on matters involving unions, including strike applications.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Tom is a great partner for strategic issues. We rely on his breadth of experience in the province."
"Based on his wealth of experience and the countless achievements throughout his decorated career, we and many others, regard Tom as the dean of labour and employment lawyers in the province of BC."
"Tom is truly a legend in his field. He is humble and yet he is one of the most accomplished lawyers."
"Tom is an exceptional person, a distinguished professional and a preeminent lawyer. I rely on his experience and sage advice to guide my decisions in my organisation."
"Tom is likely the most knowledgeable, experienced and professional labour lawyer in Canada. We cherish his partnership and wisdom."
"Tom is a great partner for strategic issues. We rely on his breadth of experience in the province."
"Based on his wealth of experience and the countless achievements throughout his decorated career, we and many others, regard Tom as the dean of labour and employment lawyers in the province of BC."
"Tom is truly a legend in his field. He is humble and yet he is one of the most accomplished lawyers."
"Tom is an exceptional person, a distinguished professional and a preeminent lawyer. I rely on his experience and sage advice to guide my decisions in my organisation."
"Tom is likely the most knowledgeable, experienced and professional labour lawyer in Canada. We cherish his partnership and wisdom."
Discover other Lawyers at
Roper Greyell LLP
British Columbia
