Chris E. Leenheer

Chris is a partner in our Vancouver office and brings three decades of experience advising employers in all aspects of labour and employment law.

Chris has appeared as counsel in hundreds of reported decisions, which include arbitrations, labour relations boards, human rights tribunals, and the courts, in both federal and provincial jurisdictions.

Chris provides strategic advice, and assists employers in navigating collective agreements and day to day operations, including the purchase and sale of business and reorganizations. He also acts as spokesperson in collective bargaining. He has keen knowledge of the federal sector, including marine industry, port industries, grain handling, and transportation and delivery. Provincially, Chris regularly provides advice to employers in ship building and maintenance , emergency services, food and beverage, forestry and insurance.

Chris has extensive experience in advising clients during labour disputes and has been lead counsel in several important decisions respecting the rights of both federal and provincial employers to continue operating during labour disputes.

Chris is a leading employer side counsel in drafting drug and alcohol policies for safety sensitive industries, and has acted as counsel in numerous arbitration cases that have helped define employer rights in dealing with substance use and the impacts on the workplace.