Lori Brienza*
Partner Calgary, T: 403.538.5047 F: 403.538.5049 lbrienza@mathewsdinsdale.com
Brittany Wall Assistant 403.538.5041 x359 bwall@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of Alberta
University of Toronto, B.A. (Hons.)
University of Windsor, LL.B.
Association of Women Lawyers
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
Canadian Bar Association
Lean in Canada – Calgary Chapter
The Advocates’ Society
Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society
Lori works with clients in a variety of sectors to achieve practical workplace solutions and manage risk. In doing so, she provides advice to employers on all aspects of the workplace relationship including recruitment, hiring, discipline, dismissals, disability management, health and safety, workers’ compensation, grievances and other labour relations matters.
Lori strives to achieve efficient and cost-effective solutions through alternative dispute resolution. Where matters cannot otherwise resolve, Lori is a zealous advocate for clients before the Courts, arbitrators and administrative tribunals. She has regularly acted for clients seeking injunctive relief in the Alberta courts.
Lori also regularly assists clients on business immigration matters, including obtaining labour market impact assessments, work permits, Canadian permanent resident status and citizenship.
Lori is a frequent speaker at industry and client events. She is a dedicated volunteer of the Canadian Bar Association and Past Chair of the Labour & Employment Section (Alberta South) and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (Alberta South). She has been a mentor and volunteer advisor with Student Legal Assistance, University of Calgary for several years. Lori also previously served as an appointed Public Member on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC).
* Denotes practicing through a law corporation.
Industry recognition
Best Lawyers® in CanadaLabour and Employment Law
The Legal 500 CanadaLabour and Employment Law – Key Lawyer
Presentations
OH&S Contract Risks
Lori Brienza presented as a member of an interactive panel hosted by Women in Occupational Health & Safety Society (WOHSS) in Calgary, Alberta (webinar).
Bill 30 – An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans: The Change Face of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Laws
Lori Brienza and Wilson Chan presented to Merit Contractors Association in Calgary, Alberta (webinar).
Bill 30 – An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans: The Change Face of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Laws
Lori Brienza along with Michael Vos presented to Merit Contractors Association in Calgary, Alberta (webinar).
Top 5 Employment Issues
Lori Brienza presented at a seminar hosted by Strategix and Patterson Dental in Calgary, Alberta.
Changes to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code
Lori Brienza along with Michael Vos presented to Merit Contractors Association in Calgary, Alberta.
A Review of Alberta’s Workplace Laws
Lori Brienza along with Michael Vos presented to Merit Contractors Association in Calgary, Alberta.
Business Models and the Labour Code within Alberta’s New Labour Framework
Lori Brienza along with Michael Vos presented to Merit Contractors Association in Calgary, Alberta.
Top 5 Employment Issues
Lori Brienza presented at a seminar hosted by Sage Investment Advisors and Patterson Dental in Calgary, Alberta.
Temporary Foreign Worker Update: Hiring, Firing and Complying
Lori Brienza presented to the Canadian Bar Association Labour & Employment Law (Alberta South) in Calgary, Alberta.
Marijuana & Workplace Safety
Lori Brienza presented to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta.
Marijuana & Workplace Safety
Lori Brienza along with Loretta Bouwmeester presented to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta in Calgary, Alberta.
News
Mathews Dinsdale has been recognized in the 2026 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. This distinction highlights the strength of our labour and employment practice and the continued dedication of our team across Canada.
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2026 recognizes 33 Mathews Dinsdale lawyers as leaders in labour, employment, business immigration, workers' compensation, construction, corporate litigation, and health & safety law.
Mathews Dinsdale recognized by The Legal500 Canada 2023 as a leading firm in Labour and Employment, highlighting our national reach. Testimonial - "It is the only workplace law firm with offices from coast-to-coast, so being a national organization ourselves this is extremely important to us. It was Canada’s first law firm to devote its practice to employment law."
Loretta Bouwmeester and Lori Brienza quoted in Talent Canada in an article titled New Legal Landscape Benefits Alberta Employers which discusses Bill 32 - August 18, 2020
Insights
Alberta’s Bill 11 and Employer-Sponsored Benefits
Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2) The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), more commonly referred to as Bill 11, was introduced by the Government of Alberta in late October 2025. Bill 11 will affect employer-sponsored benefit plans in three key areas: 1) Age-based termination of benefits; 2) Drugs and supplemental health benefits; … Continued
Read moreAlberta Increases Length of Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave
Changes Taking Place Currently, under the Alberta Employment Standards Code (the “Code”), an eligible employee can take up to 16 weeks of long-term illness and injury leave per calendar year. Starting on January 1, 2026, eligible employees will be able to take up to 27 weeks of leave per calendar year. This change aligns with … Continued
Read moreAlberta Enters Stage 2 of Reopening: What this Means for Employers & Workplaces
Mandatory work from home order is lifted but remote work is still recommended where possible. Employers must maintain health and safety measures to reasonably address the continuing COVID-19 hazard.
Read morePaid & Job-Protected Leave for Alberta Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations
Effective April 21, 2021, Alberta employers must give employees job-protected leave to receive COVID-19 vaccinations without any loss of pay or benefits.
Read moreNew Stringent Action Taken to Curb Rising Spread of COVID-19 in Alberta
Employers should be aware of new extensive restrictive measures, and carefully consider how their business operations may be further adapted to comply with the new restrictions after what has proven to be a very challenging year for AB employers.
Read moreNew Entry Requirements for Travellers to Canada Including Citizens and Permanent Residents
All travellers will be required to provide contact and quarantine information before and after entering Canada through ArriveCAN.
Read moreOHS Legislative Change in Alberta is Coming Around Again – Very Likely September 2021
Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act will likely pass third reading in the legislature by December and result in very significant, and far-reaching, changes to the current Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Read moreAlberta Releases New Mandatory and Voluntary Targeted Public Health Measures in Response to the Rise in COVID-19 Cases
Employers should carefully review the requirements to determine whether the targeted measures apply to their workplace.
Read moreAlberta Government Seeks Public Feedback for Review of Occupational Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation in the Province
A review of the feedback process employers are encouraged to participate in, as well as issues employers have faced under the current OH&S and Workers’ Compensation legislation.
Read moreAlberta Passes New Workplace Laws – Updated July 30/20
Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020 received Royal Assent on July 29, 2020, and is now officially law, resulting in significant changes to the legislation affecting Alberta’s workplaces.
Read moreMandatory Mask Use Indoor Calgary Public Spaces and Alberta Schools to Re-open in the Fall
A review of the implications for employers, and what workplace accommodations may become necessary as a result.
Read moreEmployment and Labour Relations Climate Overhauled Again in Alberta
Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020, was introduced to Alberta’s legislative assembly in an effort to support Alberta’s economic recovery. The proposed changes aims to cut “red tape” for businesses providing employers greater operational and financial flexibility.
Read moreAlberta Introduces Bill 24 to Respond to COVID-19 as State of Emergency is Lifted
Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, 2020, seeks to amend 15 different pieces of provincial legislation, including employment and labour legislation in Alberta.
Read moreA Year of Change: Western Canadian Construction Industry 2019-2020
The construction sector continues to offer many opportunities for current and future growth across the energy, renewables, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.
Read moreClosures Affecting Courts and Workplace Tribunals in Alberta – Updated May 13/20
Alberta Courts and Tribunals announce cancellation of hearings and other related adjustments to their operations.
Read moreAlberta Orders Non-Essential Businesses to Close & Further Restricts Group Gatherings – Updated April 16/20
AB government defined a list of essential services and ordered many businesses to close in response to the new limit of 15 people in group gatherings.
Read moreAlberta Announces Temporary Changes to Employment Standards Rules Amid Covid-19 Crisis – Updated April 13/20
The temporary rules, which take effect immediately, are aimed at providing job protection for workers and flexibility for employers.
Read moreEvents
Articles and papers
October 24, 2014Lori Brienza and Erin Crosley co-authored Putting Canadians First, The Lawyers Weekly, October 24, 2014
Webinars
Our complimentary webinars address the practical and legal issues for Canadian employers.
View our Webinars