Jean Torrens

Partner

(she/her)

Calgary

Image for Jean Torrens

Education & Qualifications

  • Alberta Bar (2007)
  • Saskatchewan Bar (1995)
  • LLB with great distinction (Saskatchewan, 1994)
  • BA with great distinction (Saskatchewan, 1990)

Jean acts as a strategic partner with human resources and business leaders to manage complex legal situations involving employees and unions. She has extensive experience acting for management in conducting collective bargaining, advising on discipline and terminations, navigating challenging human rights and harassment situations, and defending employers facing litigation. She offers guidance to employers regarding the use of medical and recreational cannabis by employees, and supports employers responding to urgent OH&S situations.

  • Represented companies in several sectors, including mining, construction, industrial, retail, oil and gas, transportation, and food services in wrongful dismissal trials and appeals
  • Represented several medium- to large-sized businesses in grievance arbitrations and human rights complaints
  • Conducted collective bargaining on behalf of employers in energy, mining, food services, technology, research and development, mining and non-profit sectors
  • Represented mining company in OH&S hearing and appeals
  • Member, Executive Board, MLT Aikins
  • Member, Labour & Employment (South) Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Past Chair, Labour & Employment (South) Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Former Director, Human Resources Association of Calgary
  • Past Member, Legal Affairs Committee, Human Resources Association of Calgary
  • Member, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
  • Presenter, “Back to Business During COVID-19 – Western Canada Legislative Updates and Other Important Considerations,” MLT Aikins Webinar (July 2020)
  • Presenter, “Return to Work in the Wake of COVID-19: Tracing Apps, Privacy and Labour and Employment Considerations,” MLT Aikins Webinar (May 2020)
  • Presenter, “Who, What, Where, When and Why? A Guide to Workplace Investigations,” Alberta Law Conference, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (February 2019)
  • Presenter, “Facing the Challenges of Cannabis in the Workplace,” HR Council Meeting, Conference Board of Canada (November 2018)
  • Presenter, “#MeToo: Preventing and Investigating Workplace Sexual Harassment,” Calgary Exchange Group (November 2018)
  • Presenter, “#MeToo: Preventing and Investigating Workplace Sexual Harassment,” Employment Law Update, MLT Aikins (October 2018)
  • Presenter, “Accommodating Mental Health Conditions: Options and Pitfalls,” Western Cities HR Conference (October 2018)
  • Presenter, “Beyond #MeToo: Practical Steps for Leaders,” Beyond the Hashtag Seminar, Chartered Professional in Human Resources (Manitoba, June 2018)
  • Presenter, “Update on Accommodating Family Status,” Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development (April 2018)
  • Presenter, “Update on Accommodating Mental Disabilities,” Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development (April 2018)
  • Presenter, “Update on Accommodating Substance Addiction,” Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development (April 2018)
  • Presenter, “Update on Accommodation Remedies,” Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development (April 2018)
  • Presenter, “Accommodation Update,” Alberta Labour Law Review (2017)
  • “Weed in the Workplace,” Medical and Recreational Marijuana Workshop, MLT Aikins (2018)
  • “Changes to Alberta’s Labour Relations Code,” Employment Law Update, MLT Aikins (2017)
  • “Marijuana in the Workplace,” Medical and Recreational Marijuana Workshop, MLT Aikins (2017)
  • “Offer Letters, Policies and Severance Packages,” Employment and Labour Law Update, MLT Aikins (November 2016)
  • “Top 10 Employment Law Developments General Counsel Should Know,” Alberta General Counsel Association (October 2015)
  • “Accommodation Remedies,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2015)
  • “Discipline and the Disabled Employee,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2015)
  • “Medical Questions,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2015)
  • “Post-Discharge Evidence,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2015)
  • “Managing Difficult Accommodation Issues in the Workplace,” SMHRT Presentation (May 2015)
  • “OHS Investigations and the Law,” OHS Investigations and the Law Workshop, MLT Aikins (May 2015)
  • “Weathering the Storm,” Workplace Restructuring, Calgary Exchange Group (April 2015)
  • “Severance Trends and Best Practices,” Annual Legal Conference, HRIA (March 2015)
  • “Discipline in the Age of Exploding Technology,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2014)
  • “Human Rights Remedies: From the Traditional to the Creative,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2014)
  • “Work vs. Personal Time,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2014)
  • “A Fresh Look at Workplace Bullying: New Takeaways from Arbitrators,” Centre for Labour-Management Development (2014)
  • “Social Media in the Workplace,” HRIA Wood Buffalo/Fort McMurray Chapter  (October 2014)
  • “Attendance Management,” HRIA Wood Buffalo/Fort McMurray Chapter  (October 2014)
  • “Duty to Accommodate,” HRIA Wood Buffalo/Fort McMurray Chapter  (October 2014)
  • “Managing Difficult Accommodations,” Managing Difficult Accommodation Workshops, MLT Aikins (Regina and Saskatoon, September 2014)
  • “Workplace Investigations,” Workplace Investigations Workshops, MLT Aikins (Calgary and Edmonton, May 2014; Regina and Saskatoon, November 2013; Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon, 2012)
  • “Accommodating Mental Disabilities,” Accommodating Mental Disabilities Workshops, MLT Aikins (Saskatoon, May 2014; Calgary and Edmonton, January 2014; Regina and Saskatoon, November 2013)
  • “The Most Important Developments in 2013: And What They mean for You in 2014,”  Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference (2014)
  • “Occupational Health and Safety Update,” Annual Legal Conference, HRIA (March 2014)
  • Recognized as a Leading Canadian Lawyer, Employment and Labour Law, Chambers Canada (2021-present)
  • Recognized as a Top Lawyer, Labour and Employment Law, Best Lawyers (2014-present)
  • A Leading Practitioner, Employment Law (employer) and Workplace Human Rights (employer), Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Named a Leading Practitioner, Workplace Human Rights (Employer), Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Named CV Peer Review Rated, Lexis-Nexis/Martindale-Hubbell