
2025-04-17
10:00 am
Free
Online
The implementation of U.S. tariffs will greatly affect numerous Canadian businesses and their employees.In these uncertain times, it is essential to manage challenges like compensation changes, layoffs, and terminations carefully to minimize unforeseen risks.
Our Employment & Labour Group will be covering areas such as constructive dismissal risks, temporary layoff regulations, severance requirements, workforce restructuring, and unique challenges of Union employers, which are crucial to know for avoiding liability.
This seminar will be most beneficial to human resource professionals, managers, directors, owners, and anyone responsible for hiring, disciplining, firing, developing and implementing employment contracts and/or workplace policies – for small, medium or large workplaces operating in British Columbia.




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Chris Drinovz is a Partner at KSW Lawyers and the founder and leader of the Employment & Labour Group. His calling is to excellence through the mastery of his craft and tireless dedication to his clients. He is described as hard-working, trustworthy, and genuine. His strong analytical mind (grounded in a mathematics background) and passion for writing and language make him a force to reckon with.
Chris works with business leaders and union and non-union organizations to solve workplace legal problems and achieve long-term solutions that align with his client’s values. He is a dedicated advisor and an experienced courtroom advocate with a track record of success.
There is no workplace issue that Chris will not help with. His expertise covers the entire life cycle of the employer/employee relationship: drafting and advising on employment contracts and workplace policies, conducting workplace investigations, WorkSafeBC and occupational health & safety, dismissal planning advice and severance packages, negotiation and mediation of employment disputes, injunctions to protect confidential information or enforce non-solicits or non-competes, and representation in wrongful dismissal, employment standards, or human rights complaints. Chris also advises employers on staying non-union and helps his union clients with certification, bargaining, labour relations matters under the collective agreement, and grievance arbitrations.
Chris is comfortable navigating the many different arenas of workplace law: all levels of provincial and federal court, the Labour Relations (BC) and Canada Industrial Relations Board and administrative tribunals such as the Human Rights Tribunal, Employment Standards Tribunal, Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT), and Social Security Tribunal. Chris has also successfully challenged administrative decisions through judicial reviews and appeals.
Chris has been recognized in the The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory since 2021 and in 2026 he had the honour of being Most Frequently Recommended in the area of Labour & Employment Law. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025 in the areas of Labour & Employment Law and Workers’ Compensation Law. He was the 2025 HR Law Canada Lawyer of the Year Silver Winner, and his group was awarded Best Employment Lawyers and Law Firm in 2023 by the prestigious Canadian HR Reporter. In 2022, he was a Business Person of the Year Finalist for the Surrey Board of Trade.
Chris is a strong believer in community and giving back to the profession. He served as the President of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce from 2023 to 2025 and is now the Past President. He also serves on the Policy Review Committee of the BC Chamber. He is the former Chair of the Executive of the Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association BC. He is regularly sought after for speaking engagements and seminars.

Meet Mike Weiler, a seasoned legal professional serving as senior counsel in the Employment & Labour Group at KSW Lawyers (Kane Shannon Weiler LLP). With over 45 years of dedicated practice in employment, labour, and human rights law, Mike brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His specialization includes labor law, providing invaluable assistance to unionized employers in Labour Relations and Union Advice. Mike's extensive experience extends to areas such as governance, shareholders' rights, and corporate defenses. Throughout his distinguished career, he has represented a diverse range of clients, including employers, management, executives, and senior employees.
With a keen understanding of the intricacies of the legal landscape, Mike emphasizes the importance of judgment in navigating the ever-evolving world of employment law. His approach goes beyond a mere understanding of the law; it involves the art of anticipating and addressing the potential ripples of actions taken in the present. As Mike aptly puts it, "When you throw a rock in the pond, you cannot simply look at the splash zone—you must anticipate and consider the ripples." His commitment lies not only in resolving immediate issues but also in helping clients anticipate and respond to future challenges.
Mike's extensive courtroom experience includes regular appearances before arbitrators, the B.C. Labour Relations Board, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the B.C. and federal Employment Standards Branch and Tribunals, and the federal and provincial Human Rights Tribunals and commissions. He is also well-versed in handling cases before the BC Supreme Court.
Mike serves as general employment counsel for numerous local small and mid-sized Fraser Valley and Vancouver businesses, offering a practical and pragmatic approach to planning and dispute resolution tailored to the unique needs of each client.
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