Vancouver Employment Lawyer
Your Rights at Work Deserve Experienced Representation.
PortaLaw is a Vancouver employment law firm focused on non-unionized workplace matters. Louis Claman + Paula Krawus represent employees across British Columbia, provincially and federally regulated, with clarity, compassion, and practical legal strategy.
Initial consultation starting at $400 + tax. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
Louis Claman
Employment Lawyer, PortaLaw
Louis represents workers a cross a wide range of industries including trades, service and hospitality, healthcare and education, public sector, nonprofit, and high tech, 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.
Paula Krawus
Employment Lawyer, PortaLaw
Phone: 604 332 6126
Email: paula@portalaw.ca
Address: 300, 19 East 5th Ave, Vancouver BC
Paula supports professionals starting or ending their employment, and provides coaching for managing difficult workplace dynamics. She represents individuals across a variety of industries in negotiating better severance packages, and getting compensation for bad faith conduct or harassment (including sexual harassment). She also helps employees understand and negotiate their employment contracts.
Areas of Practice
PortaLaw focuses on the employee side of employment law. Whether you're facing a dismissal, questioning a severance offer, or navigating a difficult workplace situation, this is what we do.
If you were terminated without cause, forced out, or subjected to bullying and harassment that made your position untenable, you may have a claim. We assess your situation and advocate for the compensation you're entitled to.
Wrongful and Constructive Dismissal
An initial severance offer often reflects only the statutory minimum. We review your package against both the Employment Standards Act and common law reasonable notice to determine whether a better outcome is achievable. We will also advise if you have any other legal claims around discrimination, occupational safety, or other legal matters.
Severance Review and Negotiation
Before you sign, we review 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
If you've experienced harassment, discrimination, or a hostile work environment, you have options. We help you understand what happened, what you're entitled to, and how to move forward whether that's through an internal process, a human rights complaint, or court.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
Who Should I Book With?
Book a consultation with Louis if you're navigating a workplace issue and want clear, compassionate guidance from someone who takes the time to understand your situation.
Book a consultation with Paula if you're navigating a workplace transition, dealing with harassment, or want experienced guidance negotiating severance or employment agreements.
Initial consultation starting at $400 + tax. Employees only. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
Full-Cycle Representation
We support 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. We review and negotiate offer letters, advise on compensation structures, and address 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. We advise on medical accommodations, leave entitlements, harassment and discrimination matters, and enforce 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, We negotiate 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
Who We Represent
We represent workers. Every client our lawyers take on have offered their honest labour in exchange for fair treatment. Our 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 we bring deep, current knowledge to every file.
Transparent Pricing
Our initial consultation starts at $400 + tax. No ambiguity, no unexpected costs. PortaLaw has built its reputation on pricing that clients can understand.
Vancouver-Based, BC-Wide
We practice in the PortaLaw Vancouver office and represent 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. Paula who specializes in managing difficult workplace dynamics starts at $650 per initial consultation.
Book an initial consultation with PortaLaw. We'll listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next.
Ready to understand your rights?
If you’re unsure of who to book with fill out this form and we will contact you
Initial consultation starting at $400 + tax. Provincially and federally regulated workplaces.