Jessica Bowering

Jessica’s extensive experience working in-house for unions and serving as a senior manager in a complex public-sector organization gives her practical insight into workplace dynamics and the challenges that arise in managing people effectively. In addition to her legal expertise, she uses this practical understanding to support employees, employers, and unions in resolving workplace issues. Her experience managing diverse interests while maintaining constructive long-term relationships informs all aspects of her practice.

Investigator

Jessica has conducted workplace investigations since 2019 and previously was a partner at a workplace investigation firm before joining Hawkins Lang & Price. She has experience in many different sectors, including complex and sensitive investigations. Her work includes topics such as bullying, harassment, violence, discrimination, financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality breaches, and many other misconduct matters. Jessica provides clear, practical, thoughtful, and accurate investigation reports and recommendations.

Federally Regulated Employers Investigator (National Registry)

Jessica is an experienced investigator for federally regulated organizations under the Canada Labour Code and been a member of the Government of Canada’s Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations Registry of Investigators since 2021. She has conducted numerous investigations in the federal sector, including for First Nations governments, financial institutions, and transportation companies, and others.

Mediator

Jessica’s mediation work is informed by past senior roles in government and unionized environments, where she frequently helped leaders and stakeholders resolve complex workplace issues. One example includes leading the Consultation Team on Persons with Developmental Disabilities Safety Standards, where she facilitated diverse viewpoints, and supported the implementation of new approaches to safety standards. She has conducted numerous mediation and workplace resolutions processes to help organizations effectively address workplace conflict.

Arbitrator

Jessica has been selected by parties to assist in resolving various disputes and complex workplace issues, including a joint strategic review of a large public-sector workplace post-strike and making recommendations for addressing workplace concerns in multiple public and private organizations. She brings the same practical, thoughtful, and creative approach to her arbitration work that defines her overall practice.

Workplace Assessor

Jessica regularly conducts workplace scans and assessment to assist organizations in proactively identifying and resolving issues. As examples, she has conducted assessments involving conflicts among teams and governance bodies, allegations of systemic discrimination in specific processes, and overall concerns about workplace culture.

Trainer

Jessica provides training on employment-related issues, including workplace bullying and harassment, sexual harassment, and conducting investigations.

Governance Support

Jessica provides a range of tailored advice and support to assist with effective governance process, including policy review or development, process assessments, and other advice and recommendations.

Jessica served as deputy minister and assistant deputy minister in the Policy Coordination Office of Executive Council in Alberta, where she oversaw work on the government’s most complex legal and policy issues. She supported departments across the public service in obtaining Cabinet decisions on hundreds of policies, regulations, and pieces of legislation.

Before that, Jessica practised labour and employment law for over a decade at a union-side firm, and in-house for two major health care unions. Her practice included arbitrations, labour board cases, human rights cases, jurisdictional disputes, and pension and benefits litigation. She began her legal career clerking at the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

• Called to the Bar in British Columbia (2004)

• Called to the Bar in Alberta (2004)

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Dalhousie University - Graduated first in class (Gold Medalist) (2002)

• Presenter of “Frontline Security: Role in Workplace Investigations,” UBC Security Forum (2025)

• Presenter at the Governing in Public Interest Conference (2022)

• Co-Chair at the Lancaster House Workplace Investigations Workshop (2020)

• Co-Author of “Investigations as an Evolving Area,” BarTalk (2020)

• Presenter at the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Alberta Law Conferences (2020)