Jarret M. Janis., J.D., Employment Counsel, Workplace Investigator
Jarret is an experienced labour and employment lawyer and litigator. He founded an award-winning employment law boutique firm in Alberta in 2014 focused on employee rights, before transitioning his practice to assist smaller to medium size organizations manage risk in employment, human rights, and disaiblity matters. Jarret has successfully represented both employees and employers throughout Western Canada, through effective negotiation and through the formal court process where necessary. He has advised on and litigated a range of workplace-related matters, including: wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, sensitive workplace investigations, human rights/discrimination, harassment & bullying, Occupational Health and Safety, and shareholder disputes in the employment law context. He has advised on countless workplace investigation matters involving the most sensitive and complex complaints, from serious sexual violence complaints to harassment and bullying, discrimination, and fraud. He has extensive experience acting for employers throughout Alberta and British Columbia and regularly advises on and litigates employment law matters. He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Law Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association, and has attended the University of Alberta, Western Law and the School of Industrial & Labour Relations at Cornell University in New York.
Deborah E. Prowse, K.C., Senior Counsel, Former Chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission
Deborah E. Prowse is a strategic leader with over 35 years of progressive experience in law and social work. Having conducted over 500 mediations related to family and workplace conflicts over the course of her career, she currently helps clients recognize, assess and resolve conflict in the workplace. During her time as a consultant and lawyer, Deborah concentrated on respectful workplace practices, human rights and conflict management. Her areas of practice included: mediation, investigation, management of change, crisis situations, policy design and training. She also served as Panel Chair for the Alberta Human Rights Commission and was a Sitting Justice of the Peace in the Provincial Court of Alberta, Traffic Division. In addition, Deborah has contributed to working groups in Alberta, developing the provincial guidelines for Disruptive Behaviour in Healthcare, the provincial Patient Safety Framework and was appointed to both Ministers’ Advisory Committees on Health reform that laid the foundation for the new Alberta Health Act. In July 2014, Deborah was appointed as the first permanent Alberta Health Advocate. Her responsibilities included implementing the provincial Health Charter, the first of its kind in Canada. She was also the Interim Senior’s Advocate and Interim Mental Health Patient Advocate for Alberta. Deborah’s experience in law, social work and health care has earned her the reputation of a fair and tolerant leader with the ability to thrive in both private and public sectors with diverse groups, from all backgrounds. Deborah’s list of career achievements includes receiving the Award of Meritorious Service from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, the Queen’s Counsel designation and the Calgary Health Region’s PeopleFirst award. She is called upon to speak at conferences and seminars on a range of topics and her insights and humor make her a sound storyteller. Deborah holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, a Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Laws from the University College Cardiff.