Matthew Cooperwilliams

Contact

(604) 336-9094
matthew@cooperwilliamslaw.com

 

Qualifications

  • Bar of British Columbia, 1988
  • Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales, 2001
  • LLB, University of Manitoba, 1987
  • Adjunct Professor in Employment Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, 2010 – 2015
  • Chair and Co-Chair, Employment Law Conference, The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, 2009 – 2020
  • Founder and first Chair, Employment Law Section, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch

Representative Cases

Negotiated
  • Severance agreements for Founders, Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and General Counsel
  • Employment contracts and compensation agreements for Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and CHROs
Defended
  • Restrictive covenant injunction proceedings for insurance broker
  • Founders of tech startup in wrongful dismissal and breach of confidentiality actions
  • Wrongful dismissal claims against law firms
  • Founder of online wholesale business against claim by advisor for equity in company
  • Lawyer in professional disciplinary proceedings regarding sexual harassment 
  • Human rights claims in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia for telecommunications retailer 
  • Senior executives in sexual harassment and workplace harassment investigations
  • Physician in professional disciplinary proceedings regarding sexual harassment
  • Labour Relations Board judicial review proceedings for grocery retailer
Pursued
  • Wrongful dismissal, bonus, equity, stock option and commissions claims for senior executives
  • Ex-employee in restrictive covenant action for manufacturer
  • Return of confidential information from ex-employee for auto parts retailer
  • Garnishment of funds before judgment in wrongful dismissal action for CFO
Advised
  • Lawyer about partnership issues arising from criminal charge
  • Insurance brokerage about non-competition strategy and restrictive covenants
  • Law firm about sexual harassment and workplace harassment issue
  • Manufacturer about drug and alcohol policy
  • Post-secondary institution about bullying and harassment issues
  • Accountant about competition issues after leaving partnership
  • Retailer about mass terminations across Canada
  • Conducted numerous mediations as mediator
  • Conducted numerous investigations as investigator

Rankings

  • “Most Frequently Recommended”, Canadian Legal Expert Directory – Employment Law, Employer  – 2013 to present
  • “Global Leader”, Who’s Who Legal: Labour, Employment & Benefits – 2019 to present
  • “National Leader”, Who’s Who Legal Canada – Management Labour & Employment – 2016 to present
  • Ranked, Best Lawyers Global Business Edition – Labour and Employment Law – 2020 to present
  • Ranked, Best Lawyers in Canada – Labour and Employment Law – 2016 to present
  • “5-Star Employment Lawyer”, Canadian HR Reporter – 2022 to present

Recent Presentations

  • “Key Employment Contract Considerations: Focus on Terminations”, Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver, February 2024
  • “Employment Law for Corporate Counsel”, Guest Lecturer, Corporate Counsel Externship Program, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, 2018 to 2024
  • “Workplace Law 2023”, BC Community Social Services Employers Association Annual Conference, October 2023
  • “Mandatory Vaccination Policies”, Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver, February 2023
  • “Labour and Employment Law Year in Review 2022: Sex, Lies and Audiotape”, BC Community Social Services Employers Association Annual Conference, October 2022
  • “Topics in Employment Law 2022: British Columbia”, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers Annual Conference, September 2022
  • “Masks, Jabs, and CERB…Oh My!  A Legal Year in Review”, BC Community Social Services Employers Association Annual Conference, October 2021
  • Co-Chair, Employment Law Continuing Legal Education Conference, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, 2012 to 2020
  • “Employment Law Issues During COVID-19”, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, April, 2020
  • “COVID-19: Employment Law Issues”, Narrative Financial Services Inc., March 2020
  • “How Not to Terminate an Employee: Perspectives on Acumen Law v. Ojanen”, Canadian Bar Association – BC Branch, Employment Law Subsection, February 2020
  • “Employment Law in Review: 2019”, BC Community Social Services Employers Association Annual Conference, October 2019
  • “Is This Really Happening? A Cross-Canada Review of the Top Issues and Trends in Employment Law”, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers Annual Conference, September 2019

Publications

  • “Study: Canada Ranks Third-Worst for Paid Vacations”, (quoted), BC Business, May 2013
  • “The Backlash Against Unpaid Internships”, (quoted), Maclean’s Magazine, February 2011