Watson Goepel is thrilled to announce that six of our lawyers have been recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2026 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in 2026 for their remarkable success and excellence in their area of expertise.
The answer is more important than most people realize. It can determine whether you are entitled to severance pay, legal protections, and compensation when your work ends.
Despite what a contract may say, Canadian courts are clear:
Your legal status depends on the reality of the relationship, not the label.
Workplace sexual harassment and misconduct in British Columbia is under renewed scrutiny following a systemic investigation launched by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC). For employers and employees alike, this raises important questions: What is considered workplace sexual misconduct? What are an employer’s legal obligations in B.C.? And how should organizations respond to complaints?
This article outlines what you need to know—and why this moment matters for workplaces across all sectors.
Watson Goepel was proud to be represented along with the European Enterprise Network in the EU–Canada CETA SME Roundtable , a key international trade event organized by the European Commission focused on helping European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand into the Canadian market. This timely discussion brought together business leaders, legal advisors, and professionals to share practical insights on doing business in Canada.
AI technology has seen explosive growth in the last few years. It has grown from a set of awkward but sometimes entertaining tools into a multi-billion-dollar industry that people are using in every facet of their lives, including AI tools for legal research, document drafting, and litigation strategy.
Cheerleading is a growing sport with thousands of participants across Canada, including many youth and competitive athletes in British Columbia. As the sport continues to expand, athletes are pushing the limits of their training and performances with increasingly complex stunts, lifts, and tumbling passes. With this growth, however, comes an increased risk of injury. This raises an important question: when a cheerleader is injured, who bears legal responsibility? Are youth athletes themselves to blame, or can their coaches and the programs they train with be found negligent under British Columbia law?
While every situation separation is different, understanding a few key legal principles early can help you avoid common mistakes and protect your rights. Below are five important legal facts to be aware of after separating in British Columbia.
Tony Des Lauriers is a Paralegal within the Personal Injury Group, assisting in all aspects of file and client management for the Personal Injury group.
We were honoured to take part in the launch of Porta Aperta, a new in‑person conversation series hosted at the Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West. This initiative is designed to help newcomers navigate key aspects of life in Canada through practical, community‑focused discussions.
For many separating couples in BC, the family home is the largest shared asset. Whether to keep or sell the family home can also be one of the most emotionally difficult issues to resolve after separation. One spouse may want to sell the home, divide the equity, move forward financially and purchase a new property, while the other may want to remain in their same neighbourhood, close to friends, family, and their child’s school. What happens if the parties cannot agree?
Watson Goepel LLP is proud to sponsor the Fifth Annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival, taking place March 12–April 1, 2026 in Vancouver—a vibrant celebration of Greek cinema and the global Greek diaspora.
