Navigating conflict. Building capacity.
Leading change.
Improving workplace & organizational culture through accountability, fairness, and respect
Southern Law is your neutral resource for addressing organizational issues and conflicts. We use creative, customized tools grounded in fairness and respect to help you build and maintain an exceptional organization.
Areas of Practice
Southern Law’s lawyers guide workplaces and organizations experiencing conflict, or wanting to proactively avoid it, to find the solutions that enhance their commitment to building a positive culture. We offer this guidance from a position of neutrality, confidentiality, fairness, and respect.
Organizational Growth through a Rebuild
In response to a resolving conflict, the long-term solution lies in a thoughtful ‘Rebuild’. A Rebuild can combine any of our services to help organizations heal divisions, restore trust, improve policies and procedures, and move forward with positive momentum. A Rebuild is an opportunity to translate problems resolved into learnings for broader organizational growth and positive cultural change. Training, post-mortem review, mediations, assessments, and ‘what did we learn today’ analysis, conducted in a manner that respects privacy and allows for learnings beyond the immediate complaint or concern, support sustainable organizational transformation.
All Types of Conflict, All Sectors, All Employee Levels
We understand that simple disputes can create as much turmoil as complex ones. That said, we truly shine when helping you navigate legal issues critical to your organization’s success. We have worked with hundreds of organizations from across Canada and across all sectors, including government, industry, and not for profit, to support positive organizational cultures. We have worked with a full range of complainants and respondents – from senior to entry level employees, from those working out in the field to those in headquarters, elected officials, athletes and coaches, and students.
Navigating legal issues critical to your organization’s success.
Community & News
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Derek Thompson
In April, we welcome Derek Thompson as Senior Advisor, Indigenous Engagement. Derek - Čaabať Bookwilla is from the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht First Nation) and he is a seated and recognized Čaabať (Hereditary Chief) within his extended family and community, and he has lineage in Cowichan Tribes (Coast Salish), Kitimaat (Haisla), and Bella Bella (Heiltsuk). He was elected as a councillor for the Ditidaht First Nation in 2023 and holds the governance portfolios for health, treaty negotiations, strategic planning, and education. Read more about Derek.
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Jessica Derynck
In April, we welcomed Jessica Derynck. Jessica is a well-respected member of the labour bar by both employer-side and union-side counsel. With her experience as a decision maker, and representing unions and individuals as counsel before that, she is able to consider various parties' perspectives to understand concerns and effectively resolve workplace issues. Read more about Jessica.
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Bill Duvall
In April, we welcomed Bill Duvall. Bill has over 20 years of experience having practiced at a large national law firm providing employment and labour relations advice. Bill also has significant experience working in the municipal and post secondary sectors as a lawyer and an operational manager. In these roles, Bill has led and/or advised and prepared reports on difficult and complex workplace issues and investigations including significant WorkSafeBC incident investigations and related matters. Read more about Bill.
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Dayna Forsyth
In April, we welcomed Dayna Forsyth. Called to the bar in 1997, Dayna brings over 25 years of experience advising clients on corporate governance, institutional venture capital, lending, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. Her practice is grounded in a deep understanding of complex financial and governance structures, which she now applies to her work as a neutral in investigations and assessments involving corporate and commercial matters. Read more about Dayna.