Adjudication

Private Arbitrators or Adjudicators (decision makers) are often called upon to help resolve disputes outside of formal court systems. The advantages of using arbitration (or adjudicative processes) to resolve disputes include flexibility, speed, efficiency and confidentiality.

Karen is an experienced decision maker who has a reputation for being impartial, fair and open minded. Karen is also known for being approachable and for taking on difficult decisions.

As a Bencher with the Law Society of B.C., Karen has presided over Law Society hearings and conduct reviews. Karen brings a wealth of experience. To this end, she has presided over 150 hearings across Canada, written 100+ well-reasoned decisions (first instance and appeals). Karen’s clients have included the Northwest Territories Human Rights Adjudication Panel and the Workers’ Compensation Tribunal of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat.

Karen has also been an active member of two Federal Land Claim Arbitration Panels: the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claims Arbitration Panel and the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement Arbitration Panel.

Since February 2020, Karen has been a part time member of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, providing adjudication and mediation services, as well as training in trauma-informed dispute resolution processes. 

Memberships

  • Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals
  • BC Council of Administrative Tribunals
  • ADR Institute of Canada
  • Foundation of Administrative Justice
  • Center for Understanding in Conflict
  • National Association for Administrative Law Judges (U.S.)

Mediation

Mediation is a dynamic, structured, interactive process where a neutral third party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict. Mediation is a “party-centered” process in that it is focused primarily upon the needs, rights, and interests of the parties. The mediator uses a wide variety of techniques to guide the process in a constructive direction and to help the parties find their optimal solution. 

Karen is a trained mediator who is specializes in providing culturally sensitive and trauma-informed space for individuals and organization to resolve disputes.

Since 2009, Karen has supported tribunals. governments (Provincial, Municipal and Indigenous), post secondary institutions, unions, health authorities, social service agencies and non-profit organizations. In this context, Karen is often called upon to provide additional training in trauma-informed practice and  trauma-informed dispute resolution processes. 

Continuing Legal Education

Karen is passionate about continuing education in the field of Dispute Resolution and Administrative Law. Karen has completed Certificates in Arbitration and Mediator. She studied Administrative Law through Osgoode Hall Law School’s Master’s of Law program and completes yearly training in dispute resolution and tribunal management.

Dispute Resolution Courses and Training

Tea and Trust: Dispute Resolution in the Indigenous Context, CBABC Alternate Dispute Resolution Section CLE.

Cultural Competency in the Indigenous Context, CBABC Aboriginal Law Section and Business Law Section Joint CLE.

Annual Tribunal Adjudicator Refresher (Intercultural Competency), Law Society of British Columbia

Cultural Considerations in Mediation – Developing Skills to Resolve Disputes; Key Principles in Indigenous Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, ADR Institute of British Columbia.

Artificial Intelligence and Dispute Resolution, Law Society of British Columbia.

Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation in the Legal Profession, Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. (Young Lawyers Forum)  *Keynote Speaker

Communications for Women Benchers – Leadership Workshop, Law Society of British Columbia.

Creating Safe Space for Trauma Survivors in Litigation, U.B.C. Indigenous Legal Clinic and Amicus Curiae Society *Keynote Speaker

Tribunal Hearing Skills, Law Society of British Columbia.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia. (Women). *Keynote Speaker and Training Provider

Administrative Justice: Practice and Procedure for Decision Makers, Law Society of British Columbia. 

Indigenous Reconciliation and Intercultural Competency, Law Society of British Columbia.

Working Creatively with Conflict: Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training, The Center for Understanding in Conflict. 

Creating Trauma-Informed Space for Witness Testimony, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls.  *Speaker and Lead Trainer.

Trauma-Informed Forensic Interviewing Techniques, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. *Speaker and Lead Trainer.

Adjudicator National Meeting, Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. 

Adjudicator Regional Meeting, Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat.

Adjudicator Regional Meeting, Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. 

Statutory Interpretation, Law Society of Yukon. 

Hearing Skills Workshop, B.C. Council of Administrative Tribunals. 

Effective Hearings for Self-Represented People, Foundation of Administrative Justice. 

Adjudicator Training, Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. 

Theory & Practice of Alternate Dispute Resolution, Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development. 

Decision Making and Writing, Foundation of Administrative Justice. 

Conflict Management and Indigenous Legal Traditions (Part 2), Val Napolean – University of Alberta. 

Mediation: Theory & Skills, Level II, Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. 

Conflict Management and Indigenous Legal Traditions (Part 1), Val Napolean (University of Alberta Law). 

Theoretical Foundations of Dispute Resolution, Justice Institute of British Columbia. 

Settling Historical Grievances Through Negotiations, Banff Center. 

Mediation/Arbitration – Arbitration/Mediation: When and How to Use Them, Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society. 

Arbitration Level III, Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. 

Arbitration Level II, Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. 

Arbitration Level I, Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. 

Mediation: Theory & Skills, Level I, Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. 

Cultural Fluency for Arbitrators/Bridging Cultural Conflicts, Michelle LeBaron (UBC Law). 

Intercultural Dispute Resolution in Aboriginal Contexts, Gwich’in Arbitration Panel. 

Advanced Mediation Training, Social Justice Mediation Institute.

Working Creatively with Conflict: Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training, The Center for Understanding in Conflict.