We are pleased to welcome Pamela Costanzo to the firm.
Pamela practices in all areas of employment and labour law with a focus on workplace investigations and labour arbitrations. Prior to joining Roper Greyell, Pamela maintained a general workplace law practice at a full-service Vancouver firm.
Learn more about Pamela here.
We are pleased to welcome Norika Takacs-Rehm to the firm.
Norika practices in all areas of employment and labour law with a focus on human rights, workplace investigations and WorkSafeBC claims. Prior to joining Roper Greyell, Norika maintained a general civil litigation practice in the areas of insurance defence, health law and employment law, at a full-service firm in Vancouver.
Learn more about Norika here.
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.
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.
We are pleased to welcome Janna Crown to the firm.
Janna practices in all areas of employment and labour law with a focus on human rights, labour law, and WorkSafeBC matters. Prior to joining Roper Greyell, Janna maintained a human rights, employment and labour, and professional regulatory practice at a boutique Vancouver firm, having previously completed her articles at Roper Greyell before being called to the British Columbia bar in 2020.
Learn more about Janna here.
We are pleased to announce that six Roper Greyell lawyers have been recognized as leading Canadian employment and labour lawyers in the 2021 edition of Who’s Who Legal: Canada – Labour, Employment & Benefits.
The lawyers named in this year’s Who’s Who Legal are:
Thomas A. Roper Q.C.
Delayne Sartison Q.C.
Gregory J. Heywood
Sandra Guarascio
Gavin Marshall
James D. Kondopulos
Who’s Who Legal includes the following commentary:
Thomas Roper QC is widely considered a leading light among peers who cite his extensive experience on all aspects of employment law.
Gregory Heywood is an “excellent lawyer” who comes “highly recommended” as a result of his deep expertise in the practice area.
James Kondopulos is a “very professional and respectful” lawyer who “always provides a strategic direction to each individual case”.
Delayne Sartison QC is a “highly recommended” practitioner who receives widespread plaudits for her expertise in employment and human rights issues.
Who’s Who Legal: Canada – Labour, Employment & Benefits 2021 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.
We are pleased to announce that Roper Greyell has been ranked by The Globe and Mail and Statista as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms for 2022.
The list of Canada’s Best Law Firms was created based on 6,500 recommendations from lawyers (peer-to-peer) and clients (corporate legal departments). Only 200 law firms are being recognized in 28 practice areas.
Roper Greyell was ranked within the top 4 for Labour & Employment Law and Human Rights & Immigration Law. These rankings are based on the number of recommendations received for a firm in a respective legal field.
To view the complete list, visit: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/article-best-lawyers-in-canada-our-complete-listings/
Congratulations to Roper Greyell’s Sandra Guarascio for winning the 2021 Client Choice Award for Labour & Employment – Canada, presented by Lexology.
The Client Choice Awards recognize lawyers from around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service.
Read more here: https://www.clientchoice.com/search/jurisdiction/british-columbia-1712/workarea/employment-labour-2217
About Client Choice
Established in 2005, Client Choice recognizes those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. The criteria for this recognition focus on an ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond the other players in the market. Uniquely, law firms and partners can only be nominated by corporate counsel.
From September 13 to 24th, over 200 lawyers provided free legal advice in British Columbia to raise awareness and funds for BC’s pro bono programs as part of the Pro Bono Going Public 2021 event run by Access Pro Bono. Roper Greyell was proud to be a sponsor for the Trial Court this year.
Roper Greyell’s team participating in this year’s Pro Bono Going Public activities consisted of Gregory J. Heywood, James Kondopulos, Natalie Cuthill, Andrew Peng and Adam James. Together, team Roper Greyell were able to raise over $7,200 for Access Pro Bono’s programs and services. Additionally, Greg came in first place for individual fundraisers, with over $5,700 raised.
As Greg states, “In my view it is inherent in the privilege of being a lawyer, a corresponding obligation to be a helping profession. I think it is incumbent upon lawyers to assist those who require legal services but cannot afford them.”
For more information on Access Pro Bono Going Public 2021 visit: http://advice-a-thon.ca/
About Access Pro Bono
Access Pro Bono is the premiere coordinator for pro bono services in British Columbia. In addition to the Summary Advice Clinic (where several RG lawyers volunteer), they also run the following services:
September 30, 2021, marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To mark the day and use this opportunity to further educate ourselves, we were joined by two speakers, Max Dokuchie from the First Nations Health Authority, and Celeste Haldane, from the BC Treaty Commission, who spoke with the firm about the process of truth and reconciliation with First Nations communities. Max and Celeste broadened and deepened our understanding of what truth and reconciliation means for us and for Canada’s First Nations, be it legally, socially, morally, and as citizens of Canada. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking discussion and we thank them for their time.
To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and other truth and reconciliation efforts, please click here.
