Maxwell Brunette

In his role at Gowling WLG, Max Brunette leads the Employment & Labour Law Department across the Vancouver and Calgary offices, where he specializes in serving employers from various economic sectors. His expertise covers defending against wrongful dismissal claims, resolving labour relations issues, contesting employment standards violations, handling human rights complaints, and conducting workplace investigations.

Brunette is adept in negotiating collective bargaining agreements for unionized workers, including those governed by federal labour standards. His advice spans the creation, interpretation, and application of employment and consultancy contracts, termination arrangements, and the development of workplace policies and safety protocols. His insight is particularly sought after for matters concerning non-competition and non-solicitation clauses and the enforcement of employees' post-employment obligations due to their fiduciary duties.

With a broad spectrum of experience in unbiased workplace investigations, Brunette addresses complaints ranging from harassment and discrimination to conflicts of interest and policy violations. He collaborates with clients both before and after a complaint is lodged to identify and address ongoing and initial organizational concerns, showcasing a deep understanding of the complexities and sensitivities involved in each case. Furthermore, his practice extends to immigration law, where he advises corporate clients on hiring foreign talent.

Brunette's legal acumen has not gone unnoticed, earning him accolades in Chambers Canada, Lexpert, Legal 500 Canada, and Acritas. His contributions to labour relations, dispute resolution, collective bargaining, and litigation over employment contracts and workplace issues underscore his reputation. Beyond litigation, he excels in advising on employment, labour, health and safety, and privacy compliance, including the drafting of employment policies and executive contracts.

Educated at the University of Saskatchewan with an LLB, distinguished by his performance, and holding a BA from the University of British Columbia, Brunette was called to the bar in Alberta in 2002 and in British Columbia in 2016. His career is marked by a commitment to resolving complex employment and labour issues, underpinned by a strategic approach to legal challenges and corporate transactions in the field.