Our Team
Kelly VanBuskirk, K.C., PhD, C. Arb.
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I am dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for my clients, having partnered on many successful and precedent-setting cases. Continuous improvement drives my practice.
I’ve expanded my legal knowledge through research, teaching, and learning from esteemed lawyers in Canada and the USA. As an arbitrator, I’ve gained unique insights into judicial and tribunal decision-making. Additionally, I’ve provided workplace training to over 10,000 employees across Canada, the USA, and the UK, deepening my understanding of workplace dynamics.
Outside of my legal practice, I am a devoted husband to Cynthia, father to two wonderful sons and a fantastic daughter-in-law, and a proud grandfather. In addition to walking Phineas the Bull Terrier and Vivian the Bulldog, I am active in sports, including boxing, and play the trombone in two bands.
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LLB (Dean’s List), UNB Law
LLM in Employment Law (with distinction), University of Huddersfield, UK
PhD in Employment Law, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Certificate in Employment Law Mediation, Cornell University
Certificate in Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University
Diploma in University Teaching, UNB
Bachelor of Arts, University of Prince Edward Island (Dean’s List)
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King’s Counsel
Chartered Arbitrator
E. Neil McKelvey Award for Pro Bono Service
Certified Workplace Investigator
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UNB Law School: Employment Law, Trial Practice, Strategic Negotiations, Administrative Law
UNB Faculty of Business: Employment Law, Labour Law, Strategic Negotiations, Commercial Law, Introduction to Human Resource Management, Employee Performance, Business and Society
UNB Faculty of Arts: The Sociology of Work
St. Thomas University Department of Human Rights: International Human Rights Law
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UNB Faculty of Business Teaching Excellence Award
Commendation, Stan Marsh Best Paper Prize, Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Golden Key Society Life Member
Vance Toner Leadership Award, Hockey New Brunswick
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, National Award of Excellence
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My legal practice has honed my understanding of client issues, with research published in a book and various journals, including:
Why Employees Sue: Rethinking Approaches to the Resolution of Employment Conflicts (Toronto: Thompson Reuters)
Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education
Scribes Journal of Legal Writing
Canadian HR Reporter
Law Teacher
The Canadian Labour & Employment Law Journal
International Review of Human Rights Law
The Canadian Arbitration and Mediation Journal
The Canadian Bar Review
Sarah Brooke, LLB, FILEX
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I’ve worked in the law for more than two decades, first in the United Kingdom and for the last 14 years here in Canada. In the U.K., I am a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and enjoyed a successful conveyancing practice with two firms. For the last decade, I’ve worked in labour, employment, and human rights and have a deep passion for helping employers, employees, and unions solve complex workplace problems. To that end, I have continued to study and learn to enhance my abilities. During the past 10 years, I have:
Obtained certified workplace investigator status and have gained experience in many complex investigations
Earned an LLB from the University of London
Studied toward a Qualified Mediator (Q. Med.) with the ADR Institute of Canada.
Outside of work, I am a stained-glass artist, enjoy property projects with my husband Russ, and spend quality time with our dog Winston.
Daniel Wilband, BCL/LLB, M.A.
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For the past nine years I’ve I specialized in resolving workplace conflicts for employers, unions, and employees. My background as a philosophy instructor at King’s College in Halifax enriched my legal studies at McGill Law School, where I earned several academic awards.
I clerked at the Ontario Court of Appeal, gaining invaluable insights into judicial decision-making. I then honed my skills at a top labour law firm in Toronto before returning to Atlantic Canada. Here, I worked at leading labour firms and a general practice firm, and taught Labour Law at Dalhousie Law School. I am also a certified workplace investigator.
Beyond law, I am a dedicated husband, father of two, church member, amateur musician, and philosophy enthusiast.
Isaac Corey, B.Th., J.D.
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With experience in the Canadian Armed Forces and private industry, I observed the importance of the law in organizing and managing relationships. I became a lawyer to apply the law in resolving complex interpersonal conflicts.
At UNB Law School, I discovered a passion for workplace litigation, earning top honors in Labour & Employment Law, Trial Practice, and winning the Canadian Championship in Negotiations.
Beyond my legal career, I am a devoted husband to Naomi, father of two, active church member, weightlifter, boxer, woodsman, and musician. My life is truly fulfilling.
Jennifer Waldschütz
Director of Client Experiences and Service
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I am excited to serve as the Director of Client Experiences and Service at VanBuskirk Law, where I focus on creating meaningful, responsive, and personalized client interactions. While my role here is new and evolving, my goal is clear: to demonstrate how much we value the trust our clients place in us through attentive service and proactive solutions.
With a background that spans human resources, international student recruitment, and project management, I've always gravitated toward roles that allow me to connect with people and solve complex problems. I hold a degree in Psychology from Mount Allison University, and my professional journey has taken me from the City of Saint John Corporation, where I worked as the Population Growth Officer and later the Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager, to my latest position here at VanBuskirk Law.
Beyond my professional life, I am deeply engaged in our community. I currently serve as a Governor of Rothesay Netherwood School, where I’m an alumna; as a Vestry member of Trinity Church; and as a Board Member of the Union Club. These roles, alongside my work, allow me to apply my passion for building relationships and fostering inclusive environments.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and diverse group of friends. My most cherished hobby is travelling abroad extensively. I’m energized by opportunities to continue learning and growing. I’m excited to bring my experience, dedication, and love for people to VanBuskirk Law, and I look forward to connecting with our clients to ensure they feel supported every step of the way.
The symbolism that directs what we do at VanBuskirk Law
Not everything we do is by design, but we are trying to be intentional about our approach to our work. As examples:
Our office reminds us of our values and our purpose. We have a small, modest office. It’s not intended to be flashy, because that isn’t our style. We want to remember that we are servants to the justice system, our clients, and our community.
Our office décor is influenced by Mid-Century Modern design for these reasons:
Mid-Century Modern is a design style that puts function over form. Our goal is to make our legal work functional, as well, and the MCM style reminds us of that.
The Mid-Century Modern design emerged in the late 1940s and continued until about 1970. That was a period of family and community values and an emergent commitment to human equality. We subscribe to those values.
The bulldog. Occasionally, you will see a bulldog icon on our materials. It’s not a promotional item but, instead, a reminder of what we want to be. There have been 3 VanBuskirk bulldogs – Dick, Betsy, and now Vivian. Each one of them have embodied the characteristics of the bulldog breed, which are: honest and authentic behaviour (the bulldog does what it thinks is best, even if that requires some stubbornness); courage (the bulldog will take on anyone, anytime); and humility (the bulldog knows that it isn’t the prettiest dog, or the fastest, or the biggest. But it is the most determined, and that accounts for a lot).
Our wall art. Our wall art depicts scenes from our community, which serve as a reminder of the people and companies that we hope to help.
Our coffee: We drink Catapult coffee. By doing that, we support Outflow Ministry. Outflow works to improve the lives of the people in Saint John who live in poverty. We appreciate our place in our community, and we want to help improve the places of others.
