Course Chairs
Valerie Dixon (she/her) — City of Vancouver, Vancouver
James D. Kondopulos (he/him) — Roper Greyell LLP, Vancouver
About the Course Chairs
Valerie Dixon is a lawyer in the City of Vancouver's Law Department and practices exclusively in the areas of labour, employment, and human rights. Prior to joining the City, Valerie spent 14 years in private practice, first at Clark Wilson LLP and later at Miller Thomson LLP.
Valerie has acted for a variety of employers, unionized and non-unionized, from small businesses to international corporations, health authorities, and municipalities. In addition to appearances before all levels of court in BC, Valerie has acted as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada, and represented clients before various administrative tribunals.
James Kondopulos is a founding member and partner (practising through a law corporation) at the employment and labour law boutique of Roper Greyell LLP.
He is frequently recommended as a strong advocate and has represented employers and senior employees before all levels of court and a wide range of workplace-related administrative tribunals in BC.
James was named one of Canada's leading lawyers under 40 by Lexpert. He is ranked as a leading employment lawyer in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He has been recognized repeatedly as a leader in the area of employment and labour law and is listed in Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers International, Canada, and also Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal), Labour, Employment and Benefits.
James spends most of his time outside work with his wife and their three beautiful children. He is the chair and a director of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of BC & Yukon and is a past vice-chair and director of the children's charity, Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon.
Planning Committee
Anita Atwal (she/her) — Anita Atwal Law Corporation, Surrey
Colin J. Edstrom (he/him) — Harris & Company, Kelowna
Amy Frankel (she/her) — Forte Workplace Law, Surrey
Richard B. Johnson (he/him) — Ascent Employment Law Corporation, Vancouver
Simon Kent (he/him) — Kent Employment Law, Vancouver
Jennifer Kwok (she/her) — Overholt Law LLP, Vancouver
Lia Moody (she/her) — HHBG Lawyers, Vancouver
Donovan G. Plomp (he/him) — McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Vancouver
Kenneth Wm. Thornicroft (he/him) — Professor Emeritus, Gustavson School of Business, UVic, Victoria
Leanne M. Walsh (she/her) — West Coast Workplace Law, Richmond