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2025-11-20
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
$109.99+
Surrey
Join the KSW Lawyers' Employment and labour group at Employment Law 2025 LIVE happening at the Civic Hotel, Autograph Collection on November 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM (Pacific Time).
Get ready to dive into this year's hottest employment law topics with industry leaders sharing insights on recent changes and how to navigate them successfully. It's a great opportunity for business owners to stay ahead of the curve and ensure compliance in the workplace.
Don't miss out on this chance to network with like-minded professionals and gain valuable knowledge to elevate your career.
Mark your calendars and secure your spot today!
Who should attend this Seminar?
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.
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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 was recently recognized as 5-Star Employment Lawyers, "Best Employment Lawyer and Law Firm" across Canada in 2023 by the prestigious Canadian HR Reporter. He was also a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer for Vancouver Leading Practitioners - Employers in the 2021 and 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and in 2022, he was a Business Person of the Year Finalist at the Business Excellence Awards by Surrey Board of Trade.
Chris is a strong believer in community and giving back to the profession. He serves as the President of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce and on the Policy Review Committee of the BC Chamber. He is also the Chair on the Executive of the Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association BC. He is regularly sought after for speaking engagements and seminars.
In his free time, Chris can be found skiing on the slopes of Whistler, powerlifting in his garage, listening to Miles Davis, or playing the drums for “Lost & Loaded” a cover band of legal professionals that pretend to be rockstars.
Fiona H. McFarlane and the Workplace Investigation team assist clients when discord occurs in the workplace, specifically we conduct third party neutral investigations and assessments using culturally and trauma informed practices. Working to provide employers with facts, Fiona aims to provide employers with information and legal analysis so balance can be restored in the workplace and solutions are sustainable.
Fiona has extensive experience working with individuals and small business clients throughout British Columbia. She regularly advises on and prepares employment contracts, respectful workplace policies, and human rights complaints.
Fiona grew up in Vancouver and Toronto and graduated from the University of Ottawa with her law degree in 2003. She has worked in the public and private sectors as a litigator and as a policy lawyer, including at WorkSafeBC and the Law Society of BC. She has appeared in numerous courts and tribunals including the Federal Court of Canada, the BC Supreme Court, the Pension Appeals Board, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and more.
Fiona joined KSW Lawyers in March 2024 in its Surrey office. Fiona’s primary areas of practice are workplace investigations, employment contracts and workplace policies, human rights, disability issues, administrative law, legal drafting, analysis and strategy, as well as compliance and governance matters.
Throughout the years, Fiona has frequently volunteered to speak about employment law matters including sexual harassment in the workplace, the Intersection of Human Rights and Employment Law (in 2021) and Privacy in the Workplace—A Review of the Law and Recent Developments (in 2020) as faculty with the CLE BC; and through virtual employer forums on topics such as:
Fiona is also an active member of the Girl Guides of Canada, a sailor, a Border collie owner and outdoor enthusiast who lives in Vancouver. Most days you can find her walking at least 10,000 steps somewhere near the water.
Jenson Leung and his team assists clients with all labour, employment and long-term disability matters, working with clients in a range of industries including cannabis, AI, recruitment and technology companies.
Jenson has extensive experience representing individuals, non-profits and business clients throughout the Lower Mainland. He regularly advises and assists clients in dealing with employment contracts, executive compensation, employee discipline/management, terminations, and long-term disability insurance denials. Jenson also represents clients in shareholder disputes and other civil litigation matters.
Jenson grew up in the Lower Mainland, and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in 2013. He attended the University of Calgary for his first year of law school then obtained his law degree from the University of Victoria in 2017 after completing the UVic Law Co-op program, where he worked with the Ontario Securities Commission in Toronto and two major Vancouver law firms.
Jenson joined Kane Shannon Weiler LLP since November 2022 in its Surrey office. Prior to joining KSW Lawyers, his past experience included over five years of full-time legal experience in the areas of employment law, insurance defence, regulatory law and civil litigation. He has also managed the closing process for a major commercial real estate transaction. His litigation experience includes assisting with a 2-month long commercial arbitration and acting as lead counsel on wrongful dismissal trials in BC Supreme Court.
Throughout the years, Jenson has volunteered with various organizations including as board member for the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC and a committee member for the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (BC). Jenson has also appeared on TV, radio and podcast interviews and presented at various conferences both within and outside the legal industry
Jenson also co-owns a commercial cleaning business. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his dog, meeting new people, scuba diving, and video games.
Darren and his team assist clients with all Employment Law matters, including wrongful and constructive dismissal claims, just cause dismissals, severance package negotiations, executive compensation and buy-out scenarios, and share issues arising from the termination of employment.
Darren has extensive experience working with individual, business and corporate clients throughout the Lower Mainland, particularly the South Fraser Region, and Alberta. He regularly advises on civil disputes of all varieties, on behalf of both businesses and individuals.
With over a decade of litigation experience, Darren has honed his talents to effectively advance his clients interests, in and out of the courtroom. He understands that in any dispute, there are multiple factors at play which determine a successful outcome for each party. He believes in delivering innovative and practical solutions, tailored to meet the unique legal needs and business objectives of each client.
Darren grew up in the Lower Mainland, and graduated from Bond University with a Juris Doctor, Honours dual degree and is eligible to practice in both Canada and Australia.
Darren joined KSW Lawyers in October 2023 in our South Surrey Office, after working for a large national employment firm. Darren assists both employee and employer clients with employment related matters, as well as assisting individuals with personal injury matters and representing individuals and companies in business/commercial litigation disputes.
Outside of work you can find Darren spending time with his young family or training as an amateur powerlifter in his garage gym.
Successful Decisions
Courtney joined KSW Lawyers in December 2023 as a designated paralegal, after working for a large national employment and disability law firm for over six years. In 2021, Courtney became the first employment paralegal in BC to be accepted to the Law Society of British Columbia’s Innovation Sandbox, an initiative which strives to improve access to justice and legal services in the province. As part of this initiative, Courtney has been one of the few selected paralegals provided with the ability to appear in the Provincial Court of British Columbia on behalf of clients.
Having always been passionate about access to justice for those in BC, Courtney volunteers in her spare time with the Amici Curiae Friendship Society, a not-for-profit organization that offers pro bono assistance with drafting legal forms for British Columbians.
Outside of the office, Courtney enjoys exploring Port Moody with her rescue dog, Beau, hiking in the BC backcountry, and testing out new recipes.
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.
Roan maintains a broad civil litigation practice. Her primary areas of interest include employment matters, human rights issues, estate litigation, and commercial and civil disputes.
Roan grew up in Coquitlam, B.C. Prior to law school, she graduated from the University of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in Criminology with a Minor in Sociology.
Roan obtained her Juris Doctor at the University of Victoria in 2024. During law school, she volunteered for Pro-Bono Students Canada, Legal Aid, and the Law Students Legal Advice Program. Roan joined Kane Shannon Weiler LLP as an articling student in 2024 in its Surrey office.
In her spare time, Roan enjoys running, hiking, and camping. She also enjoys playing on her slow pitch softball team, the Mountain Mamas.
Anikka completed her LL.B. (Honours) in London, United Kingdom, and has dedicated her professional career to immigration law. After graduating, Anikka began working as an Executive Officer for the United Kingdom government, processing and adjudicating on refugee and human rights matters. Anikka held several positions while working as an executive officer for the British government Immigration and Nationality Directorate, including Supervisor of the local asylum and refugee teams, Manager of the local human rights team, Assessment officer for claims made under the United Nations Human Rights legislation and providing legal support for the government’s immigration tribunal hearings.
Anikka immigrated to Canada and prior to her call to the Law Society of Ontario, Anikka was a licenced Canadian Immigration Consultant, assisting numerous individuals to immigrate to Canada under various economic categories. In 2011, Anikka obtained her licence to practice law from the Law Society of Upper Canada (now the Law Society of Ontario). Since then, Anikka has practiced corporate immigration law in several Bay Street firms, including Baker McKenzie LLP, KPMG LLP, Deloitte and PwC LLP.
Anikka has worked in several service areas in the immigration field, assisting corporate clients, individuals and refugees with all types of Canadian work and study permits, permanent immigration applications, provincial nomination programs, criminal admissibility issues and citizenship eligibility. She advises multi-national corporate clients in all Canadian immigration matters and issues related to conducting business across international borders, and she has acted for Fortune 500 and other major companies in various industries, such as consulting, engineering, logistics, mining, technological, construction, manufacturing, medical and automotive businesses.
Sandy Chen and his team assist clients on all matters related to employment and disability law, including wrongful and constructive dismissals, severance package negotiations, employment contracts, human rights, employment standards, executive compensation, and denial of disability benefits. Prior to joining KSW Lawyers, Sandy was the Employment Law Practice Leader for BC at a large national law firm. He has extensive experience advising and representing individuals and businesses in all employment law issues.
Sandy grew up in Midland, Ontario and began his legal career in his hometown. He moved to Vancouver in 2019 and has more recently settled down near the Port Moody Ale Trail. In his spare time, Sandy enjoys staying active, playing golf, and shooting hoops.
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