Vancouver Employment Lawyer
Your Rights at Work Deserve Experienced Representation.
PortaLaw is a Vancouver employment law firm focused exclusively on non-unionized workplace matters. Louis Claman represents employees across British Columbia, provincially and federally regulated, with clarity, compassion, and practical legal strategy.
Initial consultation $400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
Louis Claman
Employment Lawyer, PortaLaw
Louis represents workers across technology, hospitality, entertainment, marketing, and sales, from non-management employees to executives and contractors. He approaches every case with curiosity, care, and a steady hand through what can be an overwhelming process.
Louis focuses exclusively on the employee side of employment law. Whether you're facing a dismissal, questioning a severance offer, or navigating a difficult workplace, this is his practice.
Areas of Practice
If you were terminated without cause, forced out, or subjected to bullying and harassment that made your position untenable, you may have a claim. Louis assesses your situation and advocates for the compensation you're entitled to.
Wrongful and Constructive Dismissal
An initial severance offer often reflects only the statutory minimum. Louis reviews your package against both the Employment Standards Act and common law reasonable notice to determine whether a better outcome is achievable. Louis will also advise if you have any other legal claims around discrimination, occupational safety, or others.
Severance Review and Negotiation
Before you sign, Louis reviews employment agreements, compensation structures, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, and contractor agreements so you understand exactly what you're agreeing to.
Employment Contract Review
Full-Cycle Representation
Louis supports employees from the moment they receive a job offer through to post-employment disputes and court or tribunal proceedings.
Employment agreements set the terms for everything that follows. Louis reviews and negotiates offer letters, advises on compensation structures, and addresses discrimination concerns before you sign.
Stage 01: Hiring
Employment agreement review
Discrimination in recruitment
Compensation structure advice
Contractor vs. employee status
Workplace issues don't wait until termination. Louis advises on medical accommodations, leave entitlements, harassment and discrimination matters, and enforces your contractual rights through advocacy and dispute resolution.
Stage 02: During Employment
Workplace accommodations
Bullying and harassment
Leave entitlements
Human rights complaints
Whether you were let go, forced out, or resigned under pressure, Louis negotiates severance packages, advises on wrongful termination claims, and represents workers in litigation and tribunal proceedings.
Stage 03: End of Employment
Severance negotiation
Constructive dismissal
Wrongful dismissal claims
Litigation and tribunals
Initial consultation $400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
Who We Represent
Louis represents workers, not employers. Every client he takes on has offered their honest labour in exchange for fair treatment. His job is to make sure they receive it.
Non-management and management-level employees
Executives navigating complex severance or dismissal
Independent contractors questioning their classification
Workers facing harassment, discrimination, or a toxic workplace
Employees who have received a severance offer they're unsure about
Anyone who has been terminated and wants to understand their rights
Employees under both provincial and federal jurisdiction
We support employees across provincially and federally regulated workplaces in BC
Technology
Sales
Hospitality
Nonprofits
Entertainment
Retail
Marketing
Media
Finance
Healthcare
Why PortaLaw
PortaLaw was built around a single focus: employment and human rights law in British Columbia. That focus is intentional, and it shows in the quality of representation clients receive.
Employment law is all we do.
Focused Expertise
Employment law is the firm's entire practice, which means Louis brings deep, current knowledge to every file.
Transparent Pricing
Louis's initial consultation is $400 + tax. No ambiguity, no unexpected costs. PortaLaw has built its reputation on pricing that clients can understand before they walk in the door.
Vancouver-Based, BC-Wide
Louis practices from PortaLaw's Vancouver office and represents employees across British Columbia, both provincially and federally regulated, wherever the work takes place.
Frequently Asked Questions
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An employment lawyer advises you on your rights under BC employment law and common law, reviews documents like employment agreements and severance packages, and advocates on your behalf, whether through negotiation or formal proceedings. Louis's role is to help you understand your situation clearly and pursue the best outcome possible.
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If you were terminated without just cause and not provided with appropriate notice or pay in lieu of notice, or if your employer created working conditions that effectively forced you to resign, you may have a claim. The specifics depend on your employment contract, length of service, role, and other circumstances. A consultation with Louis will give you a clear picture.
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Often, yes. Employers frequently offer severance based only on the statutory minimum under the Employment Standards Act. Common law reasonable notice, which applies to most non-unionized employees without a valid limiting contract clause, is often higher. Louis can assess whether your offer reflects your full entitlement before you sign any release.
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No. Employees are generally entitled to a reasonable period of time to review a severance offer and obtain legal advice before signing. Signing too quickly, and without legal review, can limit your ability to pursue additional claims. Louis can review your package and advise you on your options.
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Constructive dismissal occurs when an employer makes a significant unilateral change to the terms of your employment, such as reducing your pay, changing your role, or creating a hostile work environment, that effectively forces you to resign. In these cases, the law may treat the situation as if you were terminated, and you may be entitled to severance and other remedies.
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Louis's initial consultation is $400 + tax, available to employees only. The consultation is an opportunity to discuss your situation, understand your legal options, and determine whether and how PortaLaw can help. You can book directly through the PortaLaw contact page.
Book an initial consultation with Louis Claman. He'll listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next.
Ready to understand your rights?
Initial consultation $400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.