Course Chairs
Sandra I. Banister, KC — Banister & Company, Vancouver
Clayton A. Jones — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
About the Course Chairs
Sandra Banister has practiced labour law and civil litigation (primarily personal injury and wrongful dismissal) since 1982 when she was called to the BC bar. She represents her trade union clients before provincial and federal tribunals, arbitrators, and in courts across the country.
In February 2018, she was appointed by the Minister of Labour to a three person expert panel to review the Labour Code and make recommendations for changes. That report formed the basis of the new Labour Code, which was unanimously adopted by the Legislature in May 2019. She acted as Special Counsel to the BC Transit Board on issues of successorship and contracting out, and represented the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture as Special Advisor on the Status of the Artist.
Sandra has been a frequent speaker at a variety of conferences and seminars for the Trial Lawyers Association, CLEBC, the Labour Law Section of the CBA (BC), Lancaster House, Insight, the Centre for Labour Management, and the BC Federation of Labour. She has taught numerous labour related courses for trade unions and has organized and instructed the provincial labour law course for the annual Canadian Labour Congress Harrison Winter School since 1985.
Sandra is named in Best Lawyers, and in 2010, her ability and achievements in the legal profession were recognized when she was designated Queen's Counsel.
Clayton Jones is a partner at Fasken where he manages the LEHR Group. He represents employers and practices primarily in the areas of labour, employment, and human rights.
Clayton works closely with unionized employers providing legal and strategic advice intended to allow them to meet their business goals while avoiding disputes and, where necessary, represents their interests in mediation, arbitration, and before the Labour Board. He also has a vibrant employment law practice where he focusses on providing practical and cost-effective solutions to non-union employers and provides advice on workplace human rights matters including acting as counsel on complaints under the Human Rights Code. Clayton also frequently assists clients with designing and implementing strategies intended to respond to current economic circumstances, including corporate reorganizations and is involved in the purchase and sale of businesses.
Clayton is the former Chair of the CBA (BC) Labour Law Subsection and has co-chaired the Labour Relations Conference since 2017.
Featured Speakers
Sandra I. Banister, KC — Banister & Company, Vancouver
Brian Butler — President, United Steelworkers 1-1937, Coastal BC
Robert J. Dennis Sr. — Chief Councillor, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Port Alberni
Gavin Hume, KC — Harris & Company LLP, Vancouver
Faculty
Sebastien Anderson — Labour Rights Law, Coquitlam
Danny Bernstein — Roper Greyell LLP, Vancouver
Jennifer Glougie — Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver
Michael Hamata — Roper Greyell LLP, Vancouver
J. Najeeb Hassan — Vice Chair and Registrar, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver
Emily Luther — BC General Employees' Union, Burnaby
Brett Matthews — Associate Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver
Bryan Savage — Teamsters Local 213, Vancouver
Gabriel M.A. Somjen, KC — Arbitrator and Mediator, Vancouver
Melanie Vipond — Gall Legge Grant Zwack LLP, Vancouver
Course Materials Contributors
Deborah Hall — Research Assistant, Roper Greyell LLP, Vancouver
Meaghan McWhinnie — Roper Greyell LLP, Vancouver
Click here for full faculty bios