Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Our Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation Group provides comprehensive advice and representation in all areas of employment, pensions and executive compensation matters. We routinely resolve employment issues linked to the most multifaceted, domestic and cross-border transactions in Canada and globally.
Our lawyers act on some of Canada’s largest transactions and c-suite employment disputes and provide expert counsel to employees and employers in the midst of complex transactions and restructurings.
Working with colleagues in complementary areas of law, such as securities, corporate and commercial, tax and intellectual property, our sophisticated team understands the business implications of pragmatic advice. We take care to understand our clients’ circumstances and deliver workable and bespoke solutions. Our public, private, non-profit and charitable sector clients benefit from our foresight and solution-driven approach.
Our practice extends beyond day-to-day employment advisory on statutory and regulatory employment matters. We advise employers on their legal obligations in the context of individual and collective terminations and layoffs, including preparing severance and departure arrangements, and provide employee compensation and benefits advice related to start-ups and business expansions, mergers and acquisitions, divestments, restructurings, insolvencies, and other business transactions.
Boards of directors and their human resources & compensation committees, and other human resource professionals turn to us to advise on employment law compliance and human resources management, including all aspects of employment standards and human rights matters. We advise on duties related to executive compensation, and prepare tailored executive compensation agreements, including change of control and retention arrangements, and incentive compensation arrangements. Our pensions experts advise on plan administration and windup, pension solvency funding, plan governance and compliance, as well as tax issues in pension and other retirement plans.
Our lawyers guide clients through workplace dispute resolution processes involving wrongful dismissal claims, human rights, discrimination and harassment complaints and legal issues surrounding departing employees, employee misconduct and fraud. We regularly appear before all levels of court, at arbitration hearings and at administrative tribunals, including provincial and federal labour boards, human rights boards of inquiry, and the workplace safety and insurance appeals tribunal.
Explore People in Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Meet our teamFeatured Work
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Mining
Coeur Mining, Inc. to acquire SilverCrest Metals Inc. at an implied equity value of approximately US$1.7 billion
Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel to Coeur Mining, Inc. in connection with entering into a definitive agreement with SilverCrest Metals Inc., whereby pursuant to a plan of arrangement Coeur will… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Apotex Inc. acquires Searchlight Pharma Inc.
Goodmans LLP advised Apotex Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Searchlight Pharma Inc… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Chord Energy and Enerplus combine in $11 billion transaction
Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel for Chord Energy Corporation in connection with its acquisition of Enerplus Corporation for US$3.7 billion in stock and cash, creating a leading producer in the… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Screaming Eagle merges with Lionsgate Studios
Goodmans LLP acted for Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp. in connection with its merger with the Studio Business of Lionsgate Entertainment Corp., comprised of its Television Studio and Motion Picture… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
FASHIONPHILE acquires Two Authenticators Business
Goodmans LLP acted for FASHIONPHILE, LLC in connection with its purchase of the assets of Two Authenticators Inc… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Minute Media acquires STN Video
Goodmans LLP acted for Minute Media, a leading global technology and sports content company, in relation to its acquisition of STN Video, a North American industry leader in sports content…
Insights
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Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Ontario's Working for Workers Five Act; It May be Time to Review Your Employment Policies
Make it a Priority to Review and Update Your Employment Agreements, Policies and HandbooksEmployment law has been evolving rapidly over the past few years making it critical for employers to review… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Key Court Rulings Shaping the Enforceability of Employment Agreements
Employment law has been evolving rapidly over the past few years making it critical for employers to keep up to date with new case law. We suggest that employers make it a priority to review and… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Consideration of Government of Canada’s proposal to remove 30% rule for pension funds, Lexpert
In a recent article for Lexpert.ca, author Brian Sweigman explores how the context has changed both for Canadian pension funds, as global investment leaders seeking to maximize returns for… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Understanding Cyber Risks for Pension Plan Administrators, ACPM
Brian Sweigman published an article in The Observer, ACPM. Excerpt from "Understanding Cyber Risks for Pension Plan Administrators": As pension plans are increasingly relying on technology… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Pensions & Retirement Plans 2023 - Canada Chapter
Brian Sweigman authored the Canada Chapter of Lexology's Pensions & Retirement Plans 2023 Guide. The Pensions & Retirement Plans Guide offers a side-by-side comparison of local insights… -
Employment, Pensions and Executive Compensation
Bill C-228: The Pension Protection Act – It’s Time to Prepare
Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, or the Pension Protection Act (PPA) in short…
Awards & Recognition
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Best Law Firms - Canada Recognized, Employee Benefits Law 2025
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Best Law Firms - Canada Recognized, Labour and Employment Law 2025
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Canadian Law Awards M&A Deal of the Year, Rogers Communications Inc.'s acquires Shaw Communications Inc. 2024
News & Events
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Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Recognized in the Inaugural Edition of Best Law Firms - Canada 2025
Goodmans is delighted to share we are featured in the inaugural edition of Best Law Firms - Canada 2025, recognizing us as one of the country’s exceptional law firms across 40 industries and practices… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 Continues to Recognize Goodmans
We are proud to announce Goodmans LLP has once again been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.91 Goodmans lawyers have been recognized as top-tier in their… -
- 03:30 PM Technology
Brian Sweigman at EVOLVE: Benefits and Workforce Strategies Summit
Join Brian Sweigman on May 10, 2023 at 2:45 PM for The Greatest Cybersecurity Threats You Don’t Know You’re Facing session at EVOLVE: Benefits and Workforce Strategies Summit at…