Kelly Nicholson

Kelly Nicholson combines deep knowledge of labour and employment law with hands-on experience conducting investigations, making him a valuable asset to employers.

As a member of our Calgary Labour + Employment Group and the firm’s Privacy Officer, Kelly advises private and public-sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. His experience includes recruitment, discipline and termination, wrongful dismissal claims, privacy matters, human rights complaints, disability and insurance issues, interpretation and enforcement of non-competition and confidentiality agreements, contract negotiation, policy development, benefit and incentive plan management, executive compensation, collective agreement interpretation and arbitration, and alcohol and drug testing. Kelly also regularly advises police services and other law-enforcement agencies throughout the province on various matters including policy development and implementation, public complaints, internal investigations, police discipline and termination, collective agreement negotiation, and grievance arbitrations.

Beyond his advisory role, Kelly has successfully led investigations into a wide array of workplace issues including bullying, discrimination and harassment. His ability to navigate complex legal landscapes is enhanced by his completion of formal training in the conduct of workplace investigations offered by the Workplace Institute, which equips him with advanced techniques for handling sensitive investigations effectively and empathetically. This training, combined with his comprehensive legal background, allows Kelly to offer nuanced guidance that respects both the procedural and human aspects of workplace investigations.

Kelly has represented clients before a wide range of adjudicative bodies in Canada, including labour and employment arbitration panels, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Alberta Labour Relations Board, the Board of Reference, the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board, and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Kelly is a veteran speaker at legal conferences and seminars, and he makes frequent presentations to clients, lawyers, and the public on privacy, policing, education, and employment law matters. He also regularly contributes articles to a variety of publications in the areas of privacy, employment, education law, and human resources.