August 5, 2008


Brian Smeenk and Karen Sargeant join Canada's largest Labour, Employment and Human Rights practice.

Toronto / August 5, 2008 – Fasken Martineau is pleased to welcome prominent labour and employment lawyers Brian Smeenk and Karen Sargeant, who join the firm as partners in the Labour, Employment and Human Rights practice group.

For more than 27 years, Mr. Smeenk's practice has focused on all facets of labour relations and employment law, for both private and public sector employers. He has extensive labour negotiations experience and has acted on numerous high-profile cases.

"I am delighted to be joining Canada's leading national Labour, Employment and Human Rights practice group," said Brian Smeenk. "This is an opportunity to work with some of the best legal minds and to work on some of the most interesting cases involving labour and employment law. The practice group's reputation is built on a solid track record of legal success on behalf of public and private sector clients. I look forward to contributing to the group's growth for the benefit of our clients."

Ms. Sargeant's employment and labour law practice also covers work with high-profile public and private employers. She brings a breadth of expertise in areas including employment contracts, wrongful dismissal, human rights, employment standards, workplace safety and insurance, union relations, labour arbitrations and pay equity. Ms. Sargeant has extensive experience representing employers before boards of arbitration and at various administrative tribunals. She is a popular speaker at seminars and conferences relating to labour, employment and human rights law.

For further information, please contact:

Ivan Ivanovitch
Director of Communications
phone: 1 416 865 4370
Email: