Duncan Marsden

Associé

Calgary

Duncan practises in labour and employment law. He provides advice to clients on dismissal procedures, dispute resolution, managing downsizing and other cost-saving exercises, employment litigation and corporate due diligence.

He advises on all aspects of employment-related documentation, as well as workers’ compensation, discrimination law, termination tax issues and the interpretation of employment contracts and policies.

He frequently provides training on employment law updates, including to civil court provincial judges.

Before joining BLG in 2007, he practised for several years in London, England, in the employment law department of the world’s largest law firm.

Duncan is fluent in English and French, and speaks some German. He is an avid runner, breaking a world record for the fastest linked marathon as a charitable fundraising initiative.

Duncan is a member of BLG’s National Board. He was appointed to the King's Counsel in 2024.

Duncan fournit des services juridiques par l’intermédiaire d’une société professionnelle.

Testimonials

Experience

  • ADT Security Services Canada, Inc v Fluent Home Ltd., 2019 ONSC 2804. A
  • ADT Security Services Canada Inc. v. Fluent Home Ltd., 2018 ONSC 3092.
  • Garland Canada Inc v Shusheski, 2017 ABQB. 
  • Ahmed v. Alberta Health Services, 2015 ABQB 825.
  • Sanders v. A-G of Canada, Federal Court T-1082-14, March 17, 2015. 
  • Mallot v. A-G of Canada, Federal Court T-1864, Nov 13, 2014. 
  • Workers’ Compensation Board Appeals Commission, Decision Number 2015-0383.
  • Workers' Compensation Board Appeals Commission, Decision Number 2015-0297.
  • Human Rights Tribunal of Alberta decision: Balsara v. Zellers Inc., 2013 AHRC 7.
  • Worker’s Compensation Board Appeals Commission, Decision Number 2009-730: concerned the deductibility of premiums. 
  • Sanders v. A-G of Canada, Federal Court T-1082-14, March 17, 2015.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Part-time Commissioner, Alberta Human Rights Commission, Current, August 2018
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association, Calgary South, Labour & Employment
  • Member, Law Society of Alberta
  • Member, Law Society of England and Wales

Community Involvement

  • Duty counsel for pro bono Court shifts, Provincial Court and Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta
  • Volunteer lawyer, Volunteer Lawyers Service

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2022) of Best Lawyers in Canada® (Labour and Employment Law).
  • Recognized in the 2025 and 2024 editions of Chambers Canada - Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Employment & Labour - Alberta) and in the 2020 edition (Employment & Labour (Recognised Practitioner))
  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2019) edition of Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys (Litigation Star: Labour and Employment)
  • Recognized in the 2019 edition of Canadian Legal Lexpert ® Directory (Workplace Human Rights)
  • Recognized in the 2016 and 2015 editions of Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys as a "Future Star: Alberta"
  • 2014 Canadian National Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award winner

Bar Admission & Education

  • Alberta, 2009
  • Angleterre et pays de Galles, 2000
  • College of Law, Université York, 1997
  • LLB (with French), University of Leicester, 1996
  • Diplôme d'études juridiques françaises, Université Robert Schumann,Strasbourg, 1995