News

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 McFarlane, Christopher Munroe, Andrew 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.

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate Pamela Costanzo

January 2022

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.

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate Norika Takacs-Rehm

January 2022

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.

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.

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate Janna Crown

December 2021

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.

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