Firm News

Harris is pleased to announce that Colin Edstrom has joined our firm.

Colin represents clients in both the public and private sector on matters relating to labour, employment, human rights, and workers’ compensation law. He has specific experience in dispute resolution matters before various tribunals and courts.

Colin joins us from the Vancouver office of a large international law firm where he worked in the labour, employment and human rights group.

“We are very pleased to have Colin join our firm.” Geoffrey Litherland, the firm’s managing partner states. “Colin’s arrival further strengthens our firm for both now and in the future. It also enhances our ability to advise and represent employers in the areas of labour, employment and other aspects of workplace law”.

We are pleased to announce that the 2013 edition of Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business has just been released and Harris has once again been recognized as a leading firm in the area of Employment, Labour & Pensions. Sources were quoted as saying: "They show care and interest, and they appreciate our business needs." "An incredible team“. Gavin Hume, QC, Eric Harris, QC and Peter Csiszar were ranked as leading individuals.

According to the Chambers Guide, Gavin Hume, QC is widely acclaimed as a leading labour and employment lawyer in Canada. One peer commented: "He is outstanding and he's got a top-notch reputation – he has great instincts and a strong, loyal client following." The "skilled, strategic and hard-working" Eric Harris QC receives considerable praise for his labour and employment practice. Sources say: "He is a go-to person in British Columbia for labour law." Peter Csiszar is noted for his skills in collective bargaining. Sources report: "He is very methodical and detail-oriented, and he leaves no stone unturned."

Chambers and Partners publishes one of the most respected and trusted legal directories. The rankings for Chambers Global are based on thousands of interviews conducted by a team of 50+ full-time researchers. These researchers identify and rank the world’s best lawyers based on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

Harris is pleased to announce that Ilan Burkes has joined our labour & employment practice.

Ilan’s practice focuses on labour, employment, human rights and privacy law. He offers legal and strategic advice to employers on issues such as collective agreement interpretation, employee discipline, as well as human rights and the duty to accommodate. Ilan represents his clients before labour relations boards, arbitrations boards, other administrative tribunals and the courts. He also conducts collective bargaining for employers.

Ilan joins us from the Health Employers’ Association of B.C. where he worked as legal counsel and as a labour relations consultant.

Geoffrey Litherland, the firm’s managing partner states: “Ilan’s approach is thoughtful, perceptive and determined. He creates strong relationships with clients, paying close attention to detail in order to help them successfully navigate difficult issues. We are very pleased to have Ilan join our team.”

Harris is pleased to announce that Meera Thakrar has joined our firm to lead our business immigration practice.

Meera’s practice focuses exclusively on immigration law. She works with both organizations and individuals on a broad range of applications for temporary and permanent entry to Canada, as well as citizenship. She also provides strategic immigration advice to Canadian and multi-national businesses that recruit internationally to address skills shortages. She has represented clients before all divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board as well as the Federal Court of Canada. Meera works in a variety of sectors including resources, life sciences, technology and entertainment.

Meera is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences and regularly contributes to articles on the topic of immigration.

“We have seen the area of immigration law grow significantly over the past few years and we see it as an integral and important component of our workplace law platform” states Geoffrey Litherland, the firm’s managing partner.

We are pleased to announce that Eric Harris, Q.C., Gavin Hume, Q.C., Colin Gibson and Adriana Wills have each been recognized as leading business lawyers in Who's Who Legal Canada: Management Labour & Employment  for 2012.  Our lawyers were selected based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed. Who’s Who stated:

"Harris & Company LLP is a highly regarded labour boutique, fielding stand-out practitioners such as Eric Harris QC: a “really outstanding” lawyer with nearly 40 years’ experience. Colin Gibson is considered a “client-orientated problem-solver” and Gavin Hume QC is “one of the leading labour lawyers” in Canada according to peers. “Superb” management strategist Adriana Wills completes the firm’s strong line-up.”

Harris is pleased to announce that 14 of our lawyers have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada.

Harris lawyers were recognized in five areas of specialization and were top-listed in the areas of Education Law, Labour & Employment Law and Workers’ Compensation Law in British Columbia, based on the number of lawyers profiled across these practice areas.

Congratulations to the following lawyers on their rankings in the Best Lawyers in Canada for 2013:

Judith C. Anderson

Michael A. Coady

Terri A. Cohen*

Peter A. Csiszar

Barry Y. Dong

Colin G. M. Gibson

Eric J. Harris QC

Wendy J. Harris QC

Gavin Hume QC

Chris E. Leenheer*

Geoffrey J. Litherland

Nazeer T. Mitha

Adriana F. Wills

Alan D. Winter

(*) most recently identified best lawyers.

This year, we are joining tens of thousands of Canadians to participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

The Run for the Cure is Canada's largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, education and health promotion initiatives. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, September 30.

If you want to support our team or learn more about this event, please click on the following link: Vancouver: Harris & Company LLP - Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

Claude Marchessault is an experienced lawyer who has been practising pension and benefits law for 25 years. He advises local, national and international employers in the public and private sectors about pension, trust, benefit and compensation issues, and guides them in their dealings with unions, regulators, consultants and other industry professionals. Claude advises employers in all industries, with a particular focus on the transportation, telecommunications, banking, education, mining and manufacturing industries.

Harris is proud to support the individuals who will be participating this weekend in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer^® is a unique, two-day cycling event taking place on June 16-17, 2012 through the scenic Pacific Northwest!

The money raised for The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer will benefit BC Cancer Foundation and supports leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers in their search for new discoveries and improved patient outcomes throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world.

This year, Chris Leenheer, Matthew Cooperwilliams, Paul McLean, Mark Colavecchia and Lou Poskitt will ride for Team Harris.   If you would like to learn more about Team Harris, or donate to the cause, please follow the link provided:

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2012?team_id=52150&pg=team&fr_id=1413

We are pleased to announce that in the 2012 edition of Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Harris has once again been recognized as a leading firm in the area of Employment, Labour & Pensions. Gavin Hume, Q.C. was once again ranked in band 1 and Eric Harris, Q.C. was ranked in band 2.

According to the Chambers Guide, sources were quoted as saying: "In labour and employment, they are the best in BC - you just don't deviate from something this outstanding." One client referenced that Eric Harris "… is an incredibly intelligent, creative problem solver who provides outstanding advice." Chambers noted that Gavin Hume is a veteran lawyer with a tremendous profile in this industry.

Chambers and Partners publishes one of the most respected and trusted legal directories. The rankings for Chambers Global are based on thousands of interviews conducted by a team of 50+ full-time researchers. These researchers identify and rank the world’s best lawyers based on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. Law firms and lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 to 6, with 1 being the highest ranking.