Samfiru Tumarkin LLP vs Tz Law Vs Osuji & Smith vs Cashion Legal - 4 Best Employment Lawyer In Calgary For 2026 & 2027
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By PAGE Editor
TL;DR
TZ Law is the best for personalized employment law advice and severance negotiations, with a 5.0 rating from 42 TrustAnalytica reviews.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is suited for employees who want national-scale resources behind a Calgary matter.
Osuji & Smith Lawyers is suited for clients who want a multilingual full-service firm.
Cashion Legal is suited for flat-fee severance and constructive dismissal reviews.
We compared the four firms on Alberta focus, fee clarity, published reviews and office coverage.
TZ Law is the best for personalized employment law advice and severance negotiations. The boutique holds a 5.0 rating from 42 reviews on TrustAnalytica and offers contingency, hourly, flat fee and hybrid arrangements. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Osuji & Smith Lawyers and Cashion Legal each suit a different kind of reader.
Alberta employers can end employment without cause by giving notice or termination pay. The Alberta government sets that minimum at 1 to 8 weeks, while common-law severance can run much higher. A signed release can close the door on that difference, so a consultation before signing matters most.
How We Compared Calgary Employment Lawyers
Calgary employees tend to ask four questions before they hire a lawyer. We built our criteria around those questions.
Alberta employment focus: how much of the practice deals with termination, severance and workplace disputes.
Fee clarity: whether the firm explains its retainer options and consultation fees up front.
Published reviews: the rating and review count on independent platforms.
Office and language coverage: where the lawyers sit and which languages they speak.
Quick Comparison: 4 Calgary Employment Law Firms at a Glance
The table below compares four Calgary employment law firms based on their areas of expertise, client suitability, and office locations.
Four Calgary Employment Law Firms Compared
1. TZ Law - best for personalized employment law advice and severance negotiations
TZ Law reviews severance packages and exit agreements for employees across Alberta and British Columbia. The firm has recovered more than $3 million in severance for clients and has helped more than 300 employment law clients. Principal and managing lawyer Roger Zhang earned a J.D. from the University of Calgary in 2019 and is a Law Society of Alberta member who also practises in British Columbia.
TrustAnalytica lists TZ Law among its Calgary top 10 employment lawyers, with a 5.0 rating from 42 reviews. A client also described a severance consultation in a Google review:
"I’m incredibly grateful for Roger’s support. He approached my situation with genuine care and professionalism, listening without judgment and validating everything I was feeling.” - Dr. F.Aliyan, 5 star on Google
What Stands Out
Rated 5.0 from 42 reviews on TrustAnalytica
Contingency, hourly, flat fee and hybrid arrangements, explained at the consultation
Calgary and Vancouver offices covering Alberta and BC
Acts for employees, employers and start-ups
Points to Consider
The practice covers employment law only
Consultations are charged, and the fee is set when booking
Who It Suits: Employees weighing a severance offer or exit agreement before signing a release.
Contact:
Address: 638 11 Ave SW #200, Calgary, AB T2R 0E2
Phone: 587-210-5618
2. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP - best for employees wanting national-scale resources
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents non-unionized employees through offices in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. Lior Samfiru and Sivan Tumarkin founded the firm in 2007. It has more than 3,000 five-star Google reviews across its offices, and TrustAnalytica shows a 4.9 rating from 201 reviews for the Calgary office.
What Stands Out
Named among Canada's Best Law Firms by the Globe and Mail in 2024 and 2025
Contingency arrangements for eligible cases, so no legal fees are due unless compensation is recovered
Calgary team backed by a national firm with four offices
Points to Consider
The practice spans employment, disability and personal injury law
Calgary is one of four offices
Who It Suits: Employees who want a national firm's resources behind a Calgary employment matter.
Contact:
Address: 888 3 Street SW, 10th Floor, Calgary, AB T2P 5C5
Phone: 587-324-0440
3. Osuji & Smith Lawyers - best for clients wanting a multilingual full-service firm
Osuji & Smith Lawyers handles employment, family, real estate, immigration, business and estate matters from two Calgary offices. The firm traces its history to 1980, and CEO Dr. Charles Osuji leads it today. ThreeBestRated includes the firm in its top three Calgary employment lawyers with a 4.9 score.
What Stands Out
A team that speaks more than 32 languages, including Mandarin, Punjabi, Arabic and Spanish
Employment lawyers who act for both employers and employees
Main office at Osuji & Smith Place on Edmonton Trail NE, plus a second Calgary office in Kensington
Additional presence in Vancouver, Toronto and Dubai
Points to Consider
Employment sits alongside seven other practice areas
Employment clients should confirm which Calgary office will handle the matter
Who It Suits: Clients who want employment, business and family advice under one roof, in their own language.
Contact:
Address: 1109 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3K3
Phone: 403-283-8018
4. Cashion Legal - best for flat-fee severance and constructive dismissal reviews
Cashion Legal practises employment law only and acts for employees, small businesses and entrepreneurs in Alberta. The firm charges a flat fee of $375 plus GST for severance package reviews and constructive dismissal reviews. Other case evaluations are generally billed by the hour.
TrustAnalytica shows Cashion Legal with a 4.9 rating from 229 reviews, and one reviewer commented on billing:
"I was surprised by the number of charges for basic communications, including short emails, follow-up messages, and simple requests for updates. It seemed that nearly every interaction resulted in additional charges. ... In my experience, even brief communications resulted in charges, and the overall value did not justify the cost." Dunya, TrustAnalytica review (2026)
What Stands Out
An employment-only practice for employees, small businesses and entrepreneurs
A flat evaluation fee for severance package and constructive dismissal reviews
A severance calculator in its online Knowledge Centre
Points to Consider
Case evaluations are charged
A limited number of cases proceed on a contingency basis
Who It Suits: Employees who prefer a fixed evaluation fee for a severance or constructive dismissal review.
Contact:
Address: Suite 216, 4954 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1
Phone: 587-329-2334
Alberta Notice Rules in Plain Terms
The Alberta government sets minimum employer notice by length of service. The Alberta government schedule runs from 1 week after 90 days of service to 8 weeks in 10 years. Employers may give working notice, termination pay or a combination of both.
Severance goes beyond that minimum and comes from the contract or the common law. Courts assess common-law notice using the Bardal factors. ABlawg lists them as the character of employment, length of service, age and availability of similar work.
An employee who believes minimum standards were breached can file an employment standards complaint within 6 months of the last day of work.
Which Firm Suits Which Reader
No single firm fits every Calgary employee. This guide maps four common situations to the firm that suits each one.
If you want personalized advice and severance negotiation support: TZ Law focuses on severance and exit agreements.
If you want a national firm behind your claim: Samfiru Tumarkin LLP adds the resources of four offices.
If you want advice in your own language: Osuji & Smith Lawyers works in more than 32 languages.
If you prefer a fixed evaluation fee: Cashion Legal charges a flat $375 plus GST for severance reviews.
If you run a start-up and need flexible employment counsel: TZ Law offers retainer options for founders.
Making Your Choice
TZ Law is the best for personalized employment law advice and severance negotiations. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP suits clients who want national-scale resources. Osuji & Smith Lawyers suits those who want a multilingual full-service firm. Cashion Legal suits those who prefer a flat-fee evaluation.
Choosing among these four firms starts with the documents on your desk. Bring the offer, the employment contract and the release to a consultation before you sign anything. We recommend TZ Law as the first call for a severance review in Calgary.
Your Questions Answered
How much does an employment lawyer cost in Calgary?
Calgary employment lawyers use flat fee, hourly, hybrid and contingency arrangements. Many charge for the first consultation, and the fee is set at booking. Cashion Legal, for example, charges a flat $375 plus GST for severance package reviews. Ask for the retainer terms in writing before you commit.
How long do I have to sue my employer after being terminated?
Alberta's Limitations Act sets a general two-year limitation period that starts when the claim is discovered. A separate 6-month window applies to employment standards complaints after the last day of work. A missed deadline can end a claim, so employees should speak to a lawyer promptly.
How is severance pay calculated in Alberta?
Alberta employment standards set a minimum of 1 to 8 weeks of notice or termination pay by length of service. Common-law severance depends on the Bardal factors of age, length of service, character of employment and availability of similar employment. The termination clause in the contract also matters.
What fee arrangements does TZ Law offer?
TZ Law works on contingency, hourly, flat fee and hybrid retainers. The lawyers assess each matter and explain the suitable option at the consultation. The consultation is charged, and the fee is discussed when booking. Bring the contract, the termination letter and the offer to that meeting.
Can TZ Law review a severance offer in Calgary before I sign a release?
Yes, TZ Law reviews severance packages and releases for employees in Calgary and across Alberta and BC. The lawyers assess the termination clause, apply the Bardal factors and advise on whether the offer is fair. We suggest booking before the signing deadline, because a signed release can limit further claims.
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