CALGARY EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS - Key Persons

Paula joined Calgary Employment Lawyers in 1999, and has successfully advised and represented over a thousand employees since that time. As senior counsel in the office, Paula primarily represents executive, management, professional, senior and long-term employees in all areas of employment law. She has extensive experience related to wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, workplace harassment, employment agreements, non-competition agreements, bonus and stock option disputes, post-employment obligations, professional standards, and employee insurance and disability claims. Paula relishes the challenge of using the wealth of legal knowledge and experience she has gained over the years to assist her clients, who often find themselves at a significant disadvantage against their employers or former employers. Paula has developed excellent advocacy skills through hours spent in the courtroom. She has represented clients at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Provincial Court, the Court of Queen's Bench, and the Court of Appeal. Additionally, she has appeared before, and represented employees at numerous tribunals including the Labour Relations Board, Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal, Employment Insurance Appeal Panel, and the Alberta Workers' Compensation Board. Paula has developed a reputation as a committed and tenacious advocate for her clients, and as a knowledgeable and industry leading employment law lawyer. Past clients and other lawyers regularly refer new clients to her, and lawyers and the media consult her about employment law issues. Prior to joining Calgary Employment Lawyers, Paula articled with Calgary Legal Guidance, an organization committed to providing legal advice and representation to disadvantaged Calgarians who would otherwise be unable to have access to the justice system. Paula obtained her B.A., with a double minor in Political Science and History, from the University of Ottawa, and received her law degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Paula is married and has two children. When she is not working or driving the kids to their activities, Paula likes to spend her time travelling, playing hockey, hiking, mountain biking and skiing with her family. Education LL.B. University of Saskatchewan B.A. University of Ottawa Professional Affiliations Called to the Alberta Bar

Job Titles:

• Founder

Bob Sawers is the founder, senior litigator and Managing Counsel of Sawers Barristers and Solicitors (CalgaryEmploymentLawyers.ca) and has been representing employees for over 20 years. Bob is Senior Trial Counsel in the firm and represents executives, management, key and senior employees and longer term employees in all aspects of employment and labour law including Wrongful dismissal, non-competition agreements, conflict of interest litigation, insurance and disability claims injunctions, applications and appeals to all employment boards and tribunals. Prior to founding Sawers Barristers and Solicitors (CalgaryEmploymentLawyers.ca), Bob gained extensive trial (litigation) experience while employed with: the Special Prosecutions office of the Ontario Attorney General, Provincial Offence Prosecutions office of the Ontario Attorney General, the Federal Department of Justice - Criminal, as a Criminal Prosecutor of organized crime narcotic offences, and the Alberta Attorney General office as a Criminal Prosecutor. During this period Bob was lead counsel in hundreds of trials, both jury and non-jury, thereby obtaining invaluable court room litigation experience. Bob has a reputation as a tenacious advocate for his clients and uses his extensive trial skills and experience to vigorously represent employees with respect to all aspects of their employment rights. Bob received his B. A. in Economics, with a minor concentration in Psychology, from the University of Western Ontario. Bob received his law degree from the prestigious McGill University. Bob is currently a member in good standing with the Alberta Bar, however he has also been called to the Bar in Ontario, British Columbia, and with special calls in the Northwest Territories. Bob is married and has four children and spends most of his free time with his family in the outdoors, hiking, skiing and sailing. Bob coaches a variety of sports and is an avid sailor. Bob has also sat on the boards of several non-profit agencies Education LL.B. McGill University - 1988 B.A. University of Western Ontario - 1985 Professional Affiliations Called to the BC Bar - 2005 Called to the Alberta Bar - 1995 Called to the Ontario Bar - 1989 Canadian Bar Association - Member

Stewart LaPrairie has been with Calgary Employment Lawyers since 2011. During his law school, Stewart worked at the firm in the summer and thereafter successfully completed his articles with us. Since joining the firm, Stewart has advised and represented employees with their employment law and workplace issues. Stewart has been often lauded by members of the judiciary for his court room advocacy skills and he has a well earned reputation as an excellent litigator and a no-nonsense lawyer, prepared and able to take matters to trial if and when required. Stewart advises and represents both management and non-management employees. He provides advice and representation to both short term and long term employees on issues including but not limited to: Wrongful Dismissals, terminations, severance packages, Constructive Dismissals and Human Rights. Stewart has extensive experience appearing before the Alberta Provincial Court and Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, as well as in courts in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.