Background & Experience
William Clements (Will) represents unions before arbitration panels, the Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal, and the courts. Will also provides advice and representation for workers in workers’ compensation claims, and represents unions and individuals in civil litigation and judicial review applications of administrative tribunal decisions.
Will provides advice on the interpretation of collective agreements and the right to privacy in the workplace. He has acted on complex matters involving the duty to accommodate both mental and physical disabilities.
Will became an associate of the firm in March 2002. In January 2008 he became a partner. He is a graduate of McGill University and the University of Saskatchewan law school, and articled at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.
Will Clements provides legal services through Clements Law Corporation.
Representative Matters
- USW, Local 1-423 v. Weyerhaeuser – (2009), BCHRT 328. Will won severance pay and damages for injury to dignity when the Human Rights Tribunal ruled that Weyerhaeuser’s termination of a group of employees on long term disability was discriminatory.
- Plesner v. British Columbia (Hydro and Power Authority) – (2009), B.C.J. No. 856 (C.A.). Will was co-counsel for the appellant worker in a successful Charter challenge of the mental stress provision of the Workers’ Compensation Act, which helped to bring about revision to the Act and policies governing compensation for workers who suffer mental stress injuries in the workplace.
- Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd. v. British Columbia (Superintendent of Pensions Financial Institutions Commission) – (2005), 255 D.L.R. (4th) 70 (BCCA). Will acted for the respondent Union, ensuring that the interests of employees in the pension plan were protected, in an appeal by the employer who was seeking to use a letter of credit to cure a solvency deficiency in the pension plan fund.
Education
- University of Saskatchewan – LLB
- McGill University – B.Sc.
Associations
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
- Canadian Bar Association – Labour Law Section, B.C. Branch – (Past-chair)
- Access ProBono
Awards & Rankings
- Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (Honorary Lifetime Member)
Publications
- “Pre-Hearing Disclosure of Particulars” – Continuing Legal Education, Labour Law Conference – (June 2009)
- “Employer Investigations: Legal & Practical Issues” – Continuing Legal Education, Labour Arbitration Course – (June 2004)
- “Solicitor/Client Privilege & Legal Fee Arrangements in the Labour Relations Context” – Continuing Legal Education, Labour Law Update – (November 2003)