Course Instructors
Matthew Cooperwilliams — Cooperwilliams Law, Vancouver
Valerie Dixon — City of Vancouver, Vancouver
Simon Kent — Kent Employment Law, Vancouver
James D. Kondopulos — Roper Greyell LLP – Employment and Labour Lawyers, Vancouver
About the Course Instructors
Matthew Cooperwilliams practices at Cooperwilliams Law in Vancouver. He focuses on wrongful dismissal cases, restrictive covenant and post-employment competition litigation, injunctions, labour relations board matters, and collective agreement arbitrations. He has extensive experience representing employers of every size and senior employees in many industries in the public and private sectors before all levels of the BC, Ontario, and Canadian courts, as well as boards and tribunals. In addition to his counsel work, Matthew provides opinions and strategic advice about business initiatives involving employment-related issues.
Before establishing Cooperwilliams Law in 2019, Matthew practiced for two years as a solicitor in London, England, with a major international law firm, was a partner in the labour and employment group in a national Canadian law firm, and was a partner in one of Canada's largest labour and employment boutiques. He was called to the BC bar in 1988 and admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales in 2001. Matthew has chaired and co-chaired CLEBC's annual Employment Law Conference since 2009, and was an Adjunct Professor of Employment Law at UBC.
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.
Simon Kent is the founder of Kent Employment Law. With over 20 years of hands-on legal experience and a bold entrepreneurial spirit, Simon is committed to redefining the practice of employment law. A veteran practitioner, he advises senior executives and company leaders and is the founding partner at Kent Employment Law, a boutique employment law firm in Vancouver.
James Kondopulos is a founding member and partner* 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 repeatedly recognized as a leader in the area of employment and labour law and is listed in Best Lawyers International, Canada and also in 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 a Director and the Vice-Chair of the children's charity, Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon.