Firm Members
WHAT WE DO

Robb Tonn

Although Robb is the senior member of the Myers Weinberg LLP labour department in terms of both age and years of labour experience, Robb no longer maintains an active practice for health reasons. However, Robb remains counsel to the firm, offering advice and strategy when called upon. Robb can be made available through other members of the firm where it is felt that his particular input will be useful as a consultant on a short-term basis as his health permits.

Called to the Bar in 1982, Robb immediately concentrated his practice exclusively in the area of labour relations and employment law choosing to represent only unions and individual employees. Robb has never represented employers due to his fierce commitment to the labour movement. Until 2004, Robb maintained a heavy labour litigation schedule, before arbitration boards, labour boards (both provincial and federal) the civil service commission, the Workers Compensation Board, and the courts.

In the final decade of his active career Robb also pioneered constitutional work in judicial independence, concerning the relationships between governments and the courts, and the way in which judicial compensation is determined. These efforts led to Robb representing the provincial benches of several provinces as well as the national organization of provincial judges. This representation included several appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. One of these cases set a national precedent in 1997, radically changing the compensation system for the judiciary in Canada.

EDUCATION

  • Call to the Bar of Manitoba - 1982
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Manitoba - 1981
  • Bachelor of Arts, Honours, University of Manitoba, 1971

OF NOTE

  • Presenter, Mel Myers Labour Conference
  • Presenter, Centre For Labour Management - several years
  • Presenter, Bar Admission class for several years
  • Occasional guest lecturer to various university classes
  • Dean's List, University of Manitoba Law School - 1979, 1980, 1981
  • Winner Alexander Morris Prize for Highest Weighted Grade Point Average for full 3 year Law Program
  • Winner Law Society Prize for Highest Standing in Final Year of Law School
  • Winner of several prizes for highest standing in individual courses
  • Dean's List, Faculty of Arts - 1969, 1970, 1971

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Member, Manitoba Bar Association
  • Member, Canadian Bar Associations
  • Member, Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers (CALL)