Michelle S. Jones,

Michelle’s practice focuses on compliance, primarily in the area of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). She advises clients on their regulatory obligations and represents them in related administrative and litigation proceedings. Additionally, Michelle works closely with project proponents, advising them on Indigenous law issues and representing them before regulatory bodies and courts.

Michelle works closely with employers to equip them with the policies, procedures and training tools that will help limit their exposure to OH&S issues. She collaborates with her clients to craft holistic prevention plans that will address their unique needs and concerns. Some of the work she typically does in this area includes:

• understanding regulatory requirements to ensure compliance;
• developing and implementing compliant policies and procedures;
• audit policies and procedures;
• undertaking workplace investigations into injuries or bullying and harassment complaints;
• responding to regulatory orders and infractions;
• responding to critical incidents, fatalities and serious injuries;
• supporting investigation processes;
• representing clients who are charged or fined; and
• advising clients on due diligence.

Additionally, Michelle advises employers Workers Compensation obligations. In particular, she has expertise in Workers Compensation claims and assessments, prohibited action complaints and cost transfer claims.

Having successfully defended clients against workers’ claims and WorkSafeBC administrative penalties, Michelle has extensive experience appearing before the Workers Compensation Board, the Review Division, the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal and the BC Supreme Court. She has also appeared before a number of regulatory tribunals, including: the Canada Energy Regulator (formerly National Energy Board) and BC’s Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal and has represented clients before trial and appellate level courts in British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Michelle also practices in the area of Indigenous law, where she counsels government, Crown corporations and private sector clients on a variety of Indigenous law issues including the extent of the duty to consult and, if necessary, accommodate potentially affected Indigenous interests. In so doing, Michelle assists clients in identifying potentially affected Indigenous groups, assessing the requisite level of consultation, developing and implementing adequate consultation processes, and where appropriate, negotiating impact and benefit agreements. Michelle has successfully defended the adequacy of consultation processes before regulatory tribunals and courts, on judicial review and appeal.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Michelle worked on Parliament Hill and for the federal public service. She has firsthand knowledge of the workings of governments and advises clients on policy matters. Michelle also clerked for the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division in Ottawa.

• Canadian Bar Association, Member of Aboriginal, Administrative and Environmental Sections
• Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE), Member
• Vancouver Bar Association, Member
• Kamloops Bar Association, Member
• Access Justice Pro Bono, Regular Volunteer for Courthouse Clinic
• Provided pro bono services in connection with public interest litigation (e.g. to the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association in Victoria (City of) v. Adams before the BC Court of Appeal)

Michelle and her husband are the proud parents of a son and daughter. Michelle was born in Kamloops, BC and her ties to the interior community remain strong. When she isn’t on the slopes in the winter, you can often find her enjoying the beauty of BC’s Interior at her cabin on Shuswap Lake. Her other interests include federal politics and current events, travelling and languages.