Matthew Cooperwilliams
Qualifications
- Bar of British Columbia, 1988
- Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales, 2001
- LLB, University of Manitoba, 1987
- Adjunct Professor in Employment Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, 2010 – 2015
- Chair and Co-Chair, Employment Law Conference, The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, 2009 – 2020
- Founder and first Chair, Employment Law Section, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
Representative Cases
Negotiated
- Severance agreements for Founders, Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and General Counsel
- Employment contracts and compensation agreements for Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and CHROs
Defended
- Restrictive covenant injunction proceedings for insurance broker
- Founders of tech startup in wrongful dismissal and breach of confidentiality actions
- Wrongful dismissal claims against law firms
- Founder of online wholesale business against claim by advisor for equity in company
- Lawyer in professional disciplinary proceedings regarding sexual harassment
- Human rights claims in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia for telecommunications retailer
- Senior executives in sexual harassment and workplace harassment investigations
- Physician in professional disciplinary proceedings regarding sexual harassment
- Labour Relations Board judicial review proceedings for grocery retailer
Pursued
- Wrongful dismissal, bonus, equity, stock option and commissions claims for senior executives
- Ex-employee in restrictive covenant action for manufacturer
- Return of confidential information from ex-employee for auto parts retailer
- Garnishment of funds before judgment in wrongful dismissal action for CFO
Advised
- Lawyer about partnership issues arising from criminal charge
- Insurance brokerage about non-competition strategy and restrictive covenants
- Law firm about sexual harassment and workplace harassment issue
- Manufacturer about drug and alcohol policy
- Post-secondary institution about bullying and harassment issues
- Accountant about competition issues after leaving partnership
- Retailer about mass terminations across Canada
- Conducted numerous mediations as mediator
- Conducted numerous investigations as investigator
Rankings
- “Most Frequently Recommended”, Canadian Legal Expert Directory – Employment Law, Employer – 2013 to present
- “Global Leader”, Who’s Who Legal: Labour, Employment & Benefits – 2019 to present
- “National Leader”, Who’s Who Legal Canada: Management Labour & Employment – 2016 to present
- “Thought Leader”, Who’s Who Legal: Labour, Employment, & Benefits, Canada – 2024
- Ranked, Best Lawyers Global Business Edition – Labour and Employment Law – 2020 to present
- Ranked, Best Lawyers in Canada – Labour and Employment Law – 2016 to present
- “5-Star Employment Lawyer”, Canadian HR Reporter – 2022 to present
Recent Presentations
- “Topics in Employment Law 2025: British Columbia”, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers Annual Conference, September 2025
- “Employment Law for Corporate Counsel”, Guest Lecturer, Corporate Counsel Externship Program, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, 2018 to 2025
- Workplace law plenary update, BC Community Social Services Employers Association Annual Conference, 2021 to 2025
- “Employment Mediations”, Alternate Dispute Resolution BC Symposium 2024, May 2024
- “Key Employment Contract Considerations: Focus on Terminations”, Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver, February 2024
- “Mandatory Vaccination Policies”, Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver, February 2023
- “Topics in Employment Law 2022: British Columbia”, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers Annual Conference, September 2022
Publications
- “Study: Canada Ranks Third-Worst for Paid Vacations”, (quoted), BC Business, May 2013
- “The Backlash Against Unpaid Internships”, (quoted), Maclean’s Magazine, February 2011