Photo of Robert A. Sider

Robert A. Sider

Partner
  • Maria Cruz
  • Legal Assistant
  • P: 604.408.5339

Practices

Rob's practice focuses on management-side labour and employment law. He advises on labour and employment aspects of commercial transactions and day-to-day labour and employment issues. His work includes labour and employment litigation, arbitrations, human rights, employment standards (including director and officer liability issues), collective bargaining and workers compensation.

Recognition and Ranking

  • Chambers Global: recognized in the Employment & Labour (Canada) category
  • Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys: recognized as a Future Star for Labour and Employment in British Columbia
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: most frequently recommended as a Leading Practitioner for employment (management) law
  • Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: BV Peer Review rated

Professional Activities

  • Canadian Bar Association, Member
  • Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Employment Law Subsection, Member and past Chair (2004-05)
  • Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Labour Law Subsection, Member
  • Human Resource Management Association, Member
  • Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE), Member

Community Activities

  • Youth Basketball Coach
  • Men's League Director, Tennis BC

Bar Admissions

  • British Columbia (1991)
  • Alberta (1999)
  • Yukon (2010)

Education

  • Dickinson College; Victoria College, University of Toronto (B.A., 1987)
  • University of Toronto (LL.B., 1990)
  • Providing advice on significant downsizings, plant closures, and reorganizations
  • Negotiations of employment contracts, stock option plans, and change of control agreements with senior executives
  • Providing advice to Boards on compensation and director liability issues
  • Conducting investigations of harassment and defending employers in respect of harassment claims
  • Acting as chief spokesperson for the employer on both first collective agreements and renewals
  • Successfully negotiating collective agreements for a wide variety of employers in both British Columbia and Alberta, including employers in the forestry, construction, transportation, service, financial and food industries
  • Providing advice on share and asset deals in the forestry, mining, manufacturing, financial and service industries

  • "Creating a Psychologically Safe Workplace: Reducing stress and addressing mental illness", Human Rights and Accommodation Conference, Lancaster House,
    Vancouver, BC
    (April 17-18, 2013),
    Speaker
  • "Employment Law Update", Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar (May 31, 2012), Speaker
  • "Tackling Tough Duty to Accommodate Issues",
    BC Human Resources Association Conference, Vancouver, BC
    (April 26-27, 2012),
    Speaker
  • "Employment",
    Business Basics 2012, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia
    (February 16, 2012),
    Course Presenter
  • "Managing the Sick Employee",
    Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar
    (June 14, 2011),
    Speaker
  • "Background Checks in the Age of Facebook",
    BC Human Resources Association Conference
    (April 14-15, 2011),
    Speaker
  • "Written Employment Agreements - Getting It Right",
    Legal Symposium, BC Human Resources Association
    (February 10, 2011),
    Speaker
  • "Written Employment Agreements - Getting It Right",
    Legal Symposium, BC Human Resources Association
    (January 27, 2011),
    Speaker
  • "Employment Law",
    Business Basics 2010, The Practice of Law,
    Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia
    (September 23, 2010),
    Course Presenter
  • "Benefits, Pension and Tax Issues Arising from Employment Related Settlements",
    Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Employment Subsection
    (September 20, 2010),
    Speaker
  • "Hiring",
    Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar
    (June 2, 2010),
    Speaker
  • “Downsizing in a Downturn: Points to Consider when Reducing your Workforce”,
    Practical Tips for Tough Economic Times Seminar
    (May 20, 2009),
    Speaker
  • "Layoff, Bumping and Recall: Canvassing Options in Tough Economic Times",
    Lancaster House
    (March 5, 2009),
    Speaker
  • "Labour Relations Update",
    Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar
    (October 30, 2008),
    Speaker
  • "Employment Law Update",
    Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar
    (June 21, 2007),
    Speaker
  • "Pre-Employment Screening and the Hiring Process",
    Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar
    (June 21, 2006),
    Speaker