Sandra is a litigation lawyer, practicing in the areas of insurance litigation, employment, regulatory, and aboriginal law. Sandra acts as an advocate for clients in the energy, mining, and resource sectors and acts as counsel for regulatory bodies in the North. She also represents a variety of individuals, corporations, municipalities, and governments, and is committed to providing creative, timely, and cost-effective solutions to her clients.

Prior to joining Lawson Lundell in 2011, Sandra clerked at the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. She then practised with a boutique litigation firm in Toronto, Ontario, working primarily in the areas of insurance, personal injury, and employment law.

Bar Admissions
Ontario (2008)
Northwest Territories (2011)
Nunavut (2012)

Education
University of Windsor (LL.B., 2007)
Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A. Hons., 2004)

Significant Accomplishments
Sandra’s experience includes:

Representing northern governments, corporations, municipalities, and aboriginal organizations with various commercial, employment and general litigation matters:

Has acted as co-counsel for a municipality in the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories in relation to a mining surface rights dispute;

Has successfully conducted wrongful dismissal trials and other employment related litigation;

Acted for both debtors and creditors in collection proceedings in court;

Acted for corporations defending regulatory charges under various pieces of legislation in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut;

Acted as co-counsel in an Inquiry under the Integrity Act in Nunavut;

Act as counsel in child protection cases in Nunavut; participate in court and trials regularly in the Nunavut Court of Justice;

Appeared at various administrative boards and tribunals including Labour Standards Board and the Labour Standards Appeal Board; Motor Vehicles Act Appeal Board; Human Rights Adjudication Panel, Employment Standards Board; and

Three years of practise in the area of insurance defence; including personal injury, product liability; occupiers’ liability, professional errors and omissions; and environmental contamination cases.

Providing general labour and employment advice to a wide variety of clients:

Conducting workplace investigations for various governmental bodies;

Acting for northern clients in negotiating collective agreements;

Drafting, reviewing, and interpreting employment agreements and collective agreements;

Assisting municipalities, hamlets, and aboriginal organizations with the drafting and interpretation of employment bylaws;

Providing advice on the discipline and termination of employees;

Providing advice on the duty to accommodate and other obligations under the Human Rights Act; and

Acting for corporations and individuals in the cases brought under the Human Rights Act in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; have successfully argued dismissal motions and appeals to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel.

Assisting clients in resolving disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution:

Participating in mediations for the resolution of civil disputes, child protection matters, or administrative disputes;

Regularly encourage clients to consider alternative dispute resolution as an alternative to courtroom litigation;

Has successfully participated in Judicial led mediations in the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories;

Has participated in various types of mediation and arbitration for commercial and employment disputes; and

Has received advanced training in Alternative Dispute Resolution in 2013.


Professional Associations
Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, Board Member (2013 - Present)

Administrative Law Section of the Northwest Territories Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, Chair (2015 - Present)

Canadian Bar Association, Northwest Territories Branch, President (2013-2014)

Advocates’ Society, Member

Seminars/ Presentation
“Human Rights and Privacy Law Update”, Lawson Lundell Labour & Employment Law Seminar (May 31, 2012), Speaker

Canadian Defence Lawyers 2012 Annual General Meeting; “The Conjuror Unmasked - Magic of a Spellbinding Defence: Toronto: 7 June 2012” , Young Lawyers’ Panel Discussion “Conquering the Generational Divide”

“Build Your Brand, Build Your Practice”, Ontario Bar Association Institute (February 2011), Chair

"Insurance Law: Everything You Need to Know", Ontario Bar Association (October 2010), Speaker

"Top Ten Mistakes Made by Young Lawyers in the Courtroom and How to Avoid Them", Ontario Bar Association (February 2010), Chair

"Tort Settlements: Success at Mediation", OBA Young Lawyers (January 2009), Speaker

Labour & Employment Bulletin (October 9, 2012), Co-Author

North of 60 Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.

The Business Law Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.