Significant Amendments to the BC Labour Relations Code Now in Effect

June 2022

On April 6, 2022, Bill 10 – 2022 Labour Relations Code Amendment Act, 2022 (“Bill 10”) received first reading.  On June 2, 2022 it received Royal Assent and is now in effect. Bill 10 includes two significant amendments to the BC Labour Relations Code (the “Code”). First, the Code will again allow for “card based” certification, the purpose of which is to allow easier access to unionization. Second, in the construction industry, raids will become easier through the elimination of the current three year waiting period.

The amendments are the latest in a series of changes since 2019 that have significantly altered the labour relations landscape in BC.

To read more about these changes and what they mean for employers please see our April 7, 2022 article by Ryan Copeland, Mike Hamata and Andrew Nicholl.

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate Teodora Bardas

May 2022

Roper Greyell is pleased to congratulate Teodora Bardas on joining the firm as an associate lawyer, after previously summering and articling with the firm.

Teodora practices in all areas of workplace law with a particular interest in workplace investigations, human rights, and labour disputes. Congratulations Teodora on your call to the bar!

Learn more about Teodora here.

Four Roper Greyell Lawyers Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Labour & Employment 2022

May 2022

We are pleased to announce that four Roper Greyell lawyers have been recognized as Thought Leaders in labour law and employment law in the 2022 edition of Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Labour & Employment.

The lawyers named in this year’s Who’s Who Legal are:

Thomas A. Roper Q.C.
Delayne Sartison Q.C.
Gregory J. Heywood
James D. Kondopulos

Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Labour & Employment 2022 Guide can be viewed here. 

About Who’s Who Legal

Who’s Who Legal has identified the top legal practitioners in multiple areas of business law since 1996. Lawyers are selected based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Mandatory Vaccination Policy Upheld by BC Arbitrator

March 2022

On March 21, 2022, Arbitrator Somjen upheld a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in BC Hydro & Power Authority and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 258.

The employer’s vaccination policy was found to be reasonable, except for language contemplating discipline for non-adherence to the policy.  The arbitrator held that the express reference to discipline in the policy was excessive but contemplated that a termination could result at some future time.

The arbitrator’s decision is the first in British Columbia to consider a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that does not provide a testing alternative to vaccination.

Graeme McFarlaneChristopher MunroeAndrew Nicholl and Gabrielle Berron-Styan from Roper Greyell were counsel for BC Hydro in this matter.

For more information on this decision see: https://ropergreyell.com/covid19-update/mandatory-vaccination-policy-upheld-by-bc-arbitrator/. 

Nine Roper Greyell Lawyers Listed in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

March 2022

We are pleased to announce that nine of the firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

The lawyers recognized as leading employment, labour, and workplace human rights law practitioners are:

Thomas A. Roper Q.C.
Delayne Sartison Q.C.
Gregory J. Heywood
Sandra Guarascio
Gavin Marshall
Gabrielle Scorer
James D. Kondopulos
Alissa Demerse
Keri L. Bennett

The Directory can be viewed here: https://lexpert.ca/directory/find-lawyers-or-law-firms/ 

About the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

Published since 1997, the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory profiles leading practitioners across Canada in over 65 practice areas and leading law firms in 41 practice areas.

Roper Greyell Named to Canadian Lawyer’s Top Labour & Employment Boutiques List

February 2022

Roper Greyell is proud to have been included in Canadian Lawyer magazine’s Top Labour and Employment Boutique law firms in Canada for 2022-23. Our firm was named as one of the Top 5 Labour and Employment Boutiques in Western Canada.

The full list of ranked firms can be found here and includes insights from lawyers from the top firms (including RG’s own Graeme McFarlane) as they highlight some of the most challenging employment and labour law issues their firms are currently facing.

 

About Canadian Lawyer

Launched in 1977, Canadian Lawyer provides objective reporting and analysis of the legal landscape from coast to coast, and defines “boutique firms” as collections of lawyers specializing in niche areas of the law as opposed to general practice firms that house a variety of practice areas under one roof.

 

 

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate Sabrina Anis

February 2022

We are pleased to welcome Sabrina Anis to the firm.

Sabrina practices in all areas of employment and labour law. Prior to joining Roper Greyell, Sabrina maintained a practice in the areas of workplace law and commercial litigation, out of the Vancouver office of a national firm.

Learn more about Sabrina here.

Roper Greyell Ranked as 5-Star Employment Law Firm for 2022 by Canadian HR Reporter

January 2022

We are pleased to announce that Roper Greyell has been ranked as a 5-Star Employment Law Firm for 2022 by Canadian HR Reporter. Additionally, Thomas A. Roper Q.C. and  were ranked as 5-Star Employment Lawyers for 2022.

The full list of ranked firms and lawyers, with ranking methodology and quotation from Sandra, is here.

Thomas A. Roper Q.C. Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2022

January 2022

We are pleased to announce that Thomas A. Roper Q.C. has been recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader in the 2022 edition of Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Global Elite. 

Who’s Who Legal includes the following commentary:

WWL Thought Leaders: Global Elite brings together the insight, expertise and wisdom of some of the world’s foremost lawyers and experts in a single report, featuring Q&As with dozens of eminent practitioners across multiple practice areas. These individuals obtained the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources in our most recent research cycle.

Through interviews with the practitioners themselves, Thought Leaders: Global Elite aims to shine a light on what puts these lawyers and experts at the peak of the profession. They are worthy of special mention owing not only to their vast expertise and experience advising on some of the world’s most significant and cutting-edge legal matters, but also their ability to innovate, inspire, and go above and beyond to deliver for their clients.

The 2022 WWL Thought Leaders: Global Elite listings can be viewed here. 

Happy Retirement, Deb!

December 2021

Roper Greyell’s long-time research paralegal, Deborah Hall, will be retiring from the firm as of December 31, 2021.

Deborah first came into the realm of what would become Roper Greyell in 1992, as a temporary legal assistant for a lawyer in Tom Roper’s labour and employment group at a national firm. Deborah sat next to Tom’s assistant, and when Tom’s assistant went away, Deborah was called back to cover for them.

In September 1993, Deborah completed her paralegal certificate and training and joined Tom again in the labour group. Deborah learned the ins and outs of labour law working with Tom and via receiving paper copies of leading cases from the Labour Relations Board, which she would summarize and send out to the firm. Deborah found her niche with labour law and thoroughly enjoyed it from the start. The rest is history!

Deborah’s favourite memory from her career have been the learning opportunities throughout the years – she enjoys being able to give quick answers, and has also enjoyed learning about things such as contempt proceedings and strike work. Deborah has also enjoyed watching the career growth of the firm’s lawyers, including those who started at the firm as summer students and returned for articles, eventually becoming associates and partners!

Deborah says that the greatest thing about Roper Greyell, and the thing she will miss the most, are the people, and the time she has been fortunate to spend with them. Deborah is looking forward to dedicating time to her creative endeavours, including creating art, practicing yoga, and walking along the Seawall.

Congratulations on an incredible career, Deborah, and all the very best in your retirement, from all of us at Roper Greyell.

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