Background
Gabriel Somjen is a partner at our Vancouver office where he practices in the area of Labour and Employment. Gabriel was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1975. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Juris Doctor in 1974.
Areas of Practice
· Gabriel practises in the area of labour and employment.
Rankings and Recognitions
· Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2012 (Labour and Employment Law)
· Martindale-Hubbell BV Peer Review Rating
Professional Experience
· Has experience in all areas of labour and employment law including:
- Labour board matters (provincial and federal);
- Employment Standards claims;
- Human Rights claims;
- Wrongful dismissal claims;
- Negotiating and drafting employment contracts;
- Preventive and proactive advice regarding workplace issues and conflicts; and
- Mitigation and resolution of workplace conflicts as well as harassment issues and
- Arbitration and mediation
Professional and Community Activities
· Gabriel has published articles and delivered lectures on various topics in labour relations, including mandatory retirement, picketing, collective bargaining, grievances and smoking by-laws and often presides as Chairman in labour arbitrations and mediations;
· Gabriel was a Vice-Chair of the Labour Relations Board of British Columbia from 1980 to 1983;
· Member, Arbitrator's Association of British Columbia;
· Member, Human Resources Management Association;
· Past chair; current treasurer of ADR Vancouver Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association;
· Listed arbitrator for the Collective Agreement Arbitration Bureau for British Columbia, The British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre and Member of the Civil Roster Mediate BC;
· Past chair: Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society;
· Past board member: Vancouver Youth Theatre;
· Past board member: Canuck Place Children's Hospice; and
· Past board member: Vancouver Art Gallery.