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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.    

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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.

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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.  

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Fayme and her team primarily assist individual and business/corporate taxpayers with all aspects of their disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency, including net worth analysis reassessments and GST issues, in addition to disputes with provincial taxation authorities.  In her litigation practice, Fayme represents clients at all stages of their tax dispute, including managing the flow of information to the CRA during the audit and objections process, and through appeals at the Tax Court of Canada.

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Fayme also enjoys writing on and working through complex tax questions and problems, as well as other legal questions involving tax implications and consequences.

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Additionally, Fayme regularly advises on a variety of civil disputes, and assists clients with questions related to employment law matters.  Civil matters may include, but are not limited to, questions regarding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor, shareholder and employee benefits, wrongful and constructive dismissals, dismissals for cause, executive compensation and buy-outs, and negotiation of severance packages.

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As a life-long West Coast local, Fayme joined KSW Lawyers following her time practicing with national law firms; she has appeared before both Provincial and Superior Courts across multiple western Canadian provinces, as well as before an array of provincial and federal administrative tribunals.

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In addition to having completed the Canadian Securities Course and holding a Certificate in European Business Law, Fayme obtained her BA in Economics from Simon Fraser University, JD from Thompson Rivers University, and LLM with a specialization in Tax Law from Osgoode Hall at York University.

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Publications

• Understanding The Section 85 Rollover - Read here.
• On The Proposed Suggestions To The Globalized Structure For The Taxation Of Multinational Enterprises - Read here.
• Keeping It In The Family - Read here.
• The Benefits of Remote Hearings - Read here, page 345.