Liam AndersonFresh out of school, I landed my first “real” job. But not even a year later, things turned sour.
I was consistently passed over for promotions despite exceeding expectations, and whispers of favoritism towards a colleague began circulating. I felt undervalued and stuck.
Things devolved to the point where I sought out an employment lawyer. Unfortunately, the lawyer I met with seemed more concerned about billable hours than my case.
And honestly, that’s a common experience. That’s why when someone on our team pitched this topic for our next project, I knew I had to lead it – even if only so I can help others avoid getting the wrong people for their corner!
Since then, we’ve gone on a hunt throughout the city for all the best employment lawyers. If you’re in an employment bind, here are the best employment lawyers in Vancouver that can take on your case.
| How much does hiring an employment lawyer in Vancouver cost? The general rate of employment lawyers in Vancouver costs at least an hourly rate of $250. But of course, this doesn’t even include additional consultation fees or the lawyer’s experience. |
How We Chose
1. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP Employment Lawyers
Address: 580 Hornby St #520, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B6, Canada
Contact Details: +16042833123
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
This firm has been around the block, with a national presence and an experienced team. That kind of experience can be a lifesaver when it’s on your side.
First off, they have a great website. It was so easy to use their interactive pocket employment and lawyer tool online to find everything that we needed to know.
They also have an online tool for everything from a severance pay calculator to interactive tools on the processes of termination for clauses, independent contractors, and the like.
In any case, one of their core strengths is that STLaw represents both employees and employers. It shows they understand the landscape from all sides, which can be beneficial no matter which side of the fence you’re on.
We just wish they were easier to get hold of. It may be a sign of how popular they are, but it took a while to even book an appointment with them.
Pros
- Interactive pocket employment lawyer tools
- Experienced lawyers
- Represent employees and employers
Cons
- Hard to reach for an appointment
Customer Reviews
Keeps you updated every step of the way
“Just want to say that Dan Balkaran was an absolute pleasure to work with. He is exceptional at providing excellent service. Dan doesn’t miss a beat, he keeps you up to date every step of the way. I can not express my gratitude enough with how Dan handled my case. I highly recommend Dan Balkaran and would like to congratulate him on the excellent outcome of my case. Thank you Dan!”
– Cindy Zeldenrust, Google Reviews
Made the whole process painless
“Angus, whom I dealt with, went above and beyond. He answered my many questions, even though he knew that I wasn’t going to go any further, and made the whole process painless. He definitely helped me to understand everything, and make up my own mind. I would recommend him to anyone!”
– Helen-Louise K, Google Reviews
2. HHBG
Address: 1030 W Georgia St #1918, Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3, Canada
Contact Details: +16046960556
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
HHBG has expertise in everything from wrongful termination to tricky contracts. Every single one of their lawyers has years of experience on the latest employment law twists and turns. (They even say they have 200 years of experience in total!)
To test their service, we had a virtual consultation with Jonas, one of their lawyers. Right away, we knew we were talking to someone who’s been in the trenches and can strategize the best course of action for any employment situation.
The only thing that was a bit of a hassle was the conflict check as well as the scanned personal information we had to send over before we could meet with him. But once we got that out of the way, everything was a breeze.
Pros
- 200 years of experience
- Virtual consultations
Cons
- Conflict check
- Requires scanned personal info
Customer Reviews
Made the whole experience less stressful
“It was great working with Kelly Slade-Kerr from HHBG. She was patient, professional, and was able to make the whole experience so much less stressful. Kelly was able to lead me in the right direction during important moments. And there were a couple of situations where I would have gone wrong had it not been for Kelly and her expertise. I am really grateful for the guidance I have received and I would (have and will) recommend her to my friends and family.”
– Tomasz Zima, Google Reviews
Extremely knowledgeable and effective
“Nicole Howell was recommended to me by a former colleague as one of the top Employment Lawyers in the city and, based on my experience working with her, I totally agree. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable and effective at the legal aspect of her job, she was empathetic and caring.
I secured a much better termination arrangement with Nicole than I was initially offered and, more importantly to me, I felt heard and understood.
Thank you, Nicole!”
– Maddy, Google Reviews
3. Tevlin Gleadle Curtis
Address: 1006 Beach Ave #700, Vancouver, BC V6E 1T7, Canada
Contact Details: +16046482966
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
TGC tackles everything from wrongful dismissal claims to contract showdowns.
But the lawyers here aren’t just about churning cases. They take the time to understand the specific situation and any employment concerns. We think this makes a world of difference, especially when legal matters can feel overwhelming.
And we like that TGC isn’t afraid to go to bat for their clients. If a fair resolution can’t be reached at the negotiation table, they’re generally ready to take things to court, as per their clients.
We do have some small nitpicks, though. For example, while their central Vancouver location is convenient for some, it’s not worth the messy traffic jams all the time.
Pros
- Bats for their clients
- Understanding lawyers
Cons
- Inconvenient location
Customer Reviews
Communicative, pragmatic, easy to work with and solution-oriented
“I have been very impressed with and appreciative of the support from Fred Wynne on several matters over the past few years. He is knowledgable, communicative, pragmatic, easy to work with and solution-oriented. I highly recommend him for employment law matters without hesitation.
The administrative support at Tevlin Gleadle Curtis is also very easy to work with.”
– Sara Watt, Google Reviews
More than happy with the outcome and settlement
“My daughter was dismissed from her workplace. We contacted Tevlin, Gleadle, Curtis and were referred to Ratib Islam. Mr. Islam represented my daughter, with thoroughness, professionality and compassion. We were more than happy with the outcome and settlement. Thank you, it made my job as a parent a little easier.”
– Fred Tisdale, Google Reviews
4. Kent Employment Law
Address: 1285 W Broadway #600, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8, Canada
Contact Details: +16042667006
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Kent Employment Law is well-versed in all things employment law—from wrongful dismissal to workplace harassment.
We like how they help employers build strong HR policies and practices, which can ultimately prevent a lot of headaches down the road. This proactive approach is a big win in our books.
Past clients told us they’re excellent at helping people understand the complications that may enter things like compensation, pension, vacation pay, and more.
The user-friendliness of their website is also worth a mention, especially their lawyer profile section (they have YouTube videos showcasing each lawyer).
However, Kent Employment Law isn’t the cheapest option out there. They don’t even do free consultations and instead charge a flat fee of $325, which makes them one of the less appealing options on this list if you’re on a budget.
Pros
- Strong employer HR policies
- User friendly website
- Youtube lawyer videos
Cons
- $325 consultation flat fee
Customer Reviews
The outcome was exactly what I wanted
“I had need of a lawyer due to an employment situation and I was very fortunate to work with Kimberly at Kent. She was professional, understanding, and clearly walked me through the process. The outcome was exactly what I wanted. I would highly recommend using this firm if you have employment related legal needs.”
– Clarke Wood, Google Reviews
From beginning to end they were amazing
“I was referred to Kent Employment Law to review my severence package. From beginning to end they were amazing. They responded immediately and I was assigned to Jessie who was very thorough, professional and personable. I highly recommend them.”
– Christine See, Google Reviews
5. Taylor Janis Workplace Lawyers—Vancouver
Address: 134 Abbott St Suite 603A, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K4, Canada
Contact Details:+16044232646
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
First things first, the Taylor Janis website gets the job done, but it’s not exactly flashy. We think a more modern and user-friendly interface would make navigating their services a smoother experience.
Regardless, we like a law firm that doesn’t sugarcoat things. And Taylor Janis definitely doesn’t sugarcoat—they lay out all the options clearly, good and bad, so it’s easy to make informed decisions.
We especially like that their consultations don’t come with a hefty fee.
Plus, during a consultation with Conan Taylor, their principal partner, it was easy to see why many other clients choose him to specialize in their cases. His exclusive knowledge, kindness, and representation of workplace law really stood out to us.
Pros
- Doesn’t sugarcoat
- No hefty consultation fee
Cons
- Non user friendly website
Customer Reviews
Dedicated, knowledgeable, and result-oriented lawyer
“Overall, my experience with Evan Harvey was nothing short of excellent. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking a dedicated, knowledgeable, and result-oriented lawyer for their workplace settlement needs. Thank you, Evan, for your outstanding work and for ensuring that I received the settlement funds I deserved.”
– Emeka Ajah, Google Reviews
Demonstrated a profound understanding of employment law
“Alfonso demonstrated a profound understanding of employment law and coupled with a keen ability strategize effectively. His guidance throughout the process was not only insightful but also reassuring, making me feel confident in every decision made. His assistance Darya accommodated my needs and make sure I received the support and attention necessary to meet my deadline.”
– Perry Lam, Google Review
