Join us and 250+ attendees for the 2025 Halifax Law Conference and get the important legal updates you need to stay compliant. Featuring Brad Proctor, Partner at McInnes Cooper as this year's emcee, we'll have a variety of lawyers and topical employment law issues to help you stay informed and on track.

Agenda

Emcee & Speaker

Brad Proctor, Partner, McInnes Cooper

Brad practices management labour and employment law, specializing in occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, human rights and workplace accommodations, labour relations, wrongful dismissal, and workplace privacy. He advises clients on proactive strategies, including employment contracts, workplace policies, and management training on performance management, accommodations, harassment prevention, and health and safety. Brad regularly represents clients before labour arbitrators, human rights tribunals, Labour Boards, Workers’ Compensation Tribunals, and courts across Atlantic Canada. A dedicated professional, he has served as a Director for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Safety Services Nova Scotia. Recognized as a 5-star safety lawyer by Canadian Occupational Safety, Brad is a leader in occupational health and safety law.

Topic: Ready for Your Close-up? Employees’ Secret Recordings & Employers’ Worker Surveillance

Speakers

Rebecca Saturley, K.C., Managing Partner, Stewart McKelvey

Rebecca helps clients navigate complex regulatory challenges in occupational health and safety, human rights, and employment standards by developing tailored legal strategies. She works with national companies, owner-managed businesses, and non-profits, providing expertise in restrictive covenants, executive employment agreements, and injunction applications. Rebecca has successfully represented clients in wrongful dismissal claims, settlement disputes, and union-related litigation, including securing and defending injunctions. Her deep understanding of both legal and business issues allows her to deliver practical solutions that protect her clients' interests. 

Topic: Managing Human Rights Complaints in 2025 - What is New and Practical Tips for Success

Caroline Spindler, Partner, Mathews Dinsdale

Caroline is a Partner in the Halifax office, specializing in workplace law. She advises and represents employers on discipline and discharge, wrongful dismissal, grievance arbitration, collective bargaining, human rights, and workers’ compensation. She also assists with employment contracts, policies, and dispute resolution before administrative tribunals. With a background in kinesiology, Caroline has a strong understanding of workplace accommodation. A recipient of multiple academic awards, she studied Public International Law and European Union Law in Sweden and was recognized for excellence in labour, employment, and trial practice.

Topic: Atlantic Canada OHS Update

Geoffrey Breen, Partner, Cox & Palmer

Geoff helps businesses navigate employment, labour, and commercial disputes, from compliance and HR issues to litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. A Dalhousie Schulich School of Law graduate, he was called to the Ontario bar in 2011 and practiced in Toronto before joining Cox & Palmer in 2016. He has appeared before courts and tribunals in Nova Scotia and Ontario and has completed advanced training in trial advocacy and mining law through Osgoode Hall Law School.

Topic: ‘New’ Nova Scotia WCB policies on Gradual Psychological Injury

Ian Brown, Partner, Boyne Clarke

Ian is a Partner and member of the Business Law Team, focusing on Labour and Employment Law, and serves on the firm’s executive committee. Called to the bar in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, he has appeared before all levels of court in Nova Scotia and the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench, as well as various administrative tribunals, including the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal, Labour Board, and Human Rights Commission. Ian advises clients on all aspects of workplace law, from hiring to termination, including employment agreements, human rights, and employee management. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar, camping, practicing karate, and spending time with family. He is conversant in Japanese and a member of both the Japanese Society of Halifax and the Metro Karate Training Centre.

Topic: The Line between Proper Management and Harassment

Kelly VanBuskirk K.C., PhD, C. Arb.

Dr. Kelly VanBuskirk, K.C., has expanded his legal expertise through research, teaching, and collaboration with esteemed lawyers in Canada and the USA. As an arbitrator, he has gained valuable insights into judicial and tribunal decision-making, complementing his extensive experience in workplace training, having educated over 10,000 employees across Canada, the USA, and the UK. In academia, he teaches a range of legal and business courses at the University of New Brunswick's Law School, Faculty of Business, and Faculty of Arts, as well as International Human Rights Law at St. Thomas University. Beyond his professional work, he is a devoted husband to Cynthia, father, and grandfather, with a passion for boxing, music, and walking his dogs, Phineas and Vivian.

Topic: Guest Arbitrator: View from the Decision Maker

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