"The best part of my work is shifting the balance of power to you.
Advising clients on all aspects of employment law, my focus is on solving workplace problems. I help to navigate difficult workplace issues or disputes, especially wrongful dismissals and cases involving discrimination or harassment. I also review employment offers, review and negotiate severance packages, and assist on virtually any other employment law matter affecting employees. As a working mother, I have developed a particular interest in assisting women who face difficulties in the workplace after choosing to have children. I also advise unionized employees on a variety of labour relations matters, such as interpretation of collective agreements, the duty of fair representation, and union-employee relations.
I have a common sense approach to employment and labour law. I understand the need for practical, cost-effective solutions and advocate strongly for my clients with this goal in mind. Having represented clients before the British Columbia courts, boards of arbitration, and various administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal and the Labour Relations Board, I fight hard for my clients but also see the wisdom of knowing when a negotiated resolution is the right solution. I pride myself on my no-nonsense, get it done approach to the law.
In 1995, I obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (specializing in human resource management and industrial relations) from Simon Fraser University knowing that I wanted to practise employment law. After receiving an entrance scholarship to the University of Toronto Law School, I completed my law degree and quickly returned home to Vancouver. I articled with a large national law firm and practised exclusively with its labour and employment group after my call to the bar in 1999. I joined HHBG Lawyers in 2004 and have never looked back.
When not practising law, I’m often found in the yoga studio and enjoy spending time with my family exploring the Sunshine Coast and volunteering in my community. A passionate advocate for public education, I successfully ran in the 2014 civic elections and served as a trustee of the New Westminster School Board until 2018.