Rebecca Saturley, K.C.

Chief People & Culture Officer and Partner

• Queen’s Marque
  600-1741 Lower Water Street
  Halifax, N.S.
  B3J 0J2
• +1.902.420.3333
• +1.902.456.0039
• +1.902.420.1417
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Language(s) spoken: English

Bar Admission(s): Nova Scotia, 1997

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Legal Assistant(s): Alicia Mullane

Rebecca is a partner in the firm’s Labour and Employment Group. She has extensive experience advising employers on all labour, human rights and employment matters, particularly in unionized environments. Her work has included strategic advice and advocacy related to certification applications, collective bargaining, occupational health and safety (including drug and alcohol policies) and employment contracts and policies. Rebecca regularly acts for employers at grievance and interest arbitration and all steps of the human rights process, including responding to complaints, mediation, investigations and board of inquiry.  She also conducts workplace investigations.

Rebecca is also the Chief People & Culture Officer at Stewart McKelvey, where she leads the Firm’s people strategy and works closely with senior leadership to strengthen culture, engagement, and alignment with the Firm’s values and business objectives. Her role extends beyond traditional HR, focusing on building an inclusive, high-performing workplace that supports long-term growth and a strong employee experience.

Rebecca brings a practical, business-minded approach to both her leadership role and her legal practice, recognizing that people decisions are inseparable from organizational performance and risk management. She is particularly engaged in initiatives related to culture and values, talent development and retention, employee well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an emphasis on aligning people strategy with the Firm’s broader goals.

Rebecca’s experience includes:

• Acted for employer in arbitration involving discipline of employee for violation of drug and alcohol policy.  Arbitrator upheld termination.
• Acted for employer in judicial review of decision of NS Human Rights Commission to refer a complaint to Board of Inquiry.  The NS Supreme Court allowed the application.
• Acted for an employer in a policy grievance involving the interpretation of an overtime provision in the Collective Agreement and subsequent judicial review. (2024 NSSC 369 (CanLII))
• Acted for an employer opposed a judicial review application.  Application was dismissed.  (2023 NSSC 40)
• Acted for an employer in a grievance alleging the employer acting unfairly in the tenure process.  Grievance was dismissed.  (2022 CanLII 51208)
• Acts as Chief Negotiator and provide advice to employers for Collective Bargaining