Heather is an associate in the Calgary office’s Employment and Labour Group, serving clients throughout Western Canada.
Heather regularly helps clients with labour and employment matters, by drafting employment and contractor agreements, executive compensation agreements and workplace policies. When the need arises, she also supports employers with employee terminations and separation packages. Heather also has experience supporting and representing both unions and employers on a wide variety of labour issues.
Heather is an experienced litigator, often defending employers in wrongful dismissal claims, grievance arbitrations, human rights complaints, and employment standards claims throughout Western Canada. Heather also has significant experience in general commercial litigation and arbitration, including large and complex disputes in energy (oil & gas), construction, franchise law, product liability, class actions, and personal injury. Heather has successfully represented clients before the Alberta Labour Relations Board and all levels of court in Alberta, including as lead counsel at the Court of King’s Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal.
Heather routinely advises and represents clients with respect to various workplace-related matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heather is a Co-Chair of Osler’s Calgary Diversity Committee, and is committed to supporting Osler’s efforts in building an inclusive and diverse work environment.
Prior to joining Osler, Heather summered, articled and practised with a prominent Calgary law firm.
Representative Work
- Successfully defended a large telecommunications company in a pension dispute at the Alberta Court of King’s Bench
- Represented an employer in three related labour grievances regarding a LOTO breach
- Counsel to a large oil & gas corporation in a wrongful dismissal matter at the Alberta Court of Appeal
- Represented a national franchisor in a complex contractual dispute against multiple franchisees
- Represented a large oil & gas corporation in a multimillion-dollar arbitration relating to a large-scale project involving numerous parties
- Represented a large oil & gas corporation in a multimillion-dollar construction arbitration
- Represented a large oil & gas corporation in a multimillion-dollar construction arbitration
Latest Insights
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Blog Nov 5, 2024
The evolving workplace: four years after COVID-19
The workplace is continuing to evolve in a post-pandemic era of hybrid work.
Read more -
Blog Jun 27, 2024
Cannabis in safety sensitive positions: guidance from the Alberta Court of King’s Bench
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench found that employers have the right to enforce drug and alcohol policies, especially in the name of safety.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Wendy Hansen Memorial Scholarship
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CIS Academic All-Canadian
Community Involvement
- Civil Claims Duty Counsel, Pro Bono Law Alberta
Credentials
Education
- University of Manitoba, Doctor of Law (J.D.)
- University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.)
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Alberta
- Canadian Bar Association
- Calgary Bar Association
- Association of Women’s Lawyers
- The Advocates’ Society