Rob's practice focuses on management-side labour and employment law. He advises on labour and employment aspects of commercial transactions and day-to-day labour and employment issues. His work includes labour and employment litigation, arbitrations, human rights, employment standards (including director and officer liability issues), collective bargaining and workers compensation.
Recognition and Ranking
* Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: BV Peer Review rated
* Chambers Global: recognized for employment law
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
* Providing advice on significant downsizings, plant closures, and reorganizations
* Negotiations of employment contracts, stock option plans, and change of control agreements with senior executives
* Providing advice to Boards on compensation and director liability issues
* Conducting investigations of harassment and defending employers in respect of harassment claims
* Acting as chief spokesperson for the employer on both first collective agreements and renewals
* Successfully negotiating collective agreements for a wide variety of employers in both British Columbia and Alberta, including employers in the forestry, construction, transportation, service, financial and food industries
* Providing advice on share and asset deals in the forestry, mining, manufacturing, financial and service industries
Professional Associations
Professional Activities
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
* Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Employment Law Subsection, Member and past Chair (2004-05)
* Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Labour Law Subsection, Member
* Human Resource Management Association, Member
* Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE), Member
Community Activities
* Youth Basketball Coach
* Sunday School Teacher
Publications
"Management's Duty to Accommodate Disability-Related Absenteeism" CACE (2007)
"Strategic Responses to Major Business Changes" Insight (2006)
"Advising British Columbia Businesses" Continuing Legal Education, Labour and Employment chapter (2006)
"Beyond Wallace: The Ongoing Impact of the Supreme Court of Canada's Decision on Dismissals" Management Rights Journal (2002), Co-Author
"Issues of Confidentiality and Competition in the IT Sector" Canadian IT Law Association (2001), Co-Author
"Employment Contracts for Foreign Nationals" Insight (2001), Co-Author
"The Employer's Duty of Good Faith: New Developments Since Wallace" The Canadian Institute (2001), Co-Author
"What Not to Ask: A Human Rights Guide to Pre-Employment Inquiries" Infonex Conferences (2000), Co-Author
"The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work" Insight (1999), Co-Author
"Difficult Issues in Wrongful Dismissal Cases" Pacific Business and Law Institute (1996), Co-Author
Seminars
"Downsizing in a Downturn: Points to Consider when Reducing your Workforce", Practical Tips for Tough Economic Times Seminar, Vancouver, BC (May 20, 2009)
"Layoff, Bumping and Recall: Canvassing Options in Tough Economic Times", Lancaster House (March 5, 2009)
Bar Admission
British Columbia (1991)
Alberta (1999)
Yukon (2010)
Education
Dickinson College; University of Toronto (B.A., Hons., Victoria College, 1987; LL.B., 1990)
