Employee Benefits Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Vancouver.
Murray Campbell
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Murray’s practice is focused exclusively on pension and benefits law. He advises clients on the governance, restructuring, and modernization of pension and benefit plans and their supporting legal frameworks. With over 30 years’ experience, he has advised numerous clients with respect to the reorganization and modernization of their pension and benefit plans, as well as their governing documents.
Murray played a central role in the introduction of joint trusteeship to pension plans in the British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba public sectors, and currently acts for more than 20 boards of trustees (or similar governing bodies) of public sector pension and benefit plans.
Murray’s clients include boards of trustees and other sponsors of public and private sector pension and benefit plans across British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. While his practice is solicitor-based, he regularly provides strategic direction and technical support in pension and benefit litigation.
Overview
Vancouver, British Columbia
- English
- Alberta, 1985
- British Columbia, 1990
- Canadian Bar Insurance Association - Board of Directors
- Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute - Member
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans - Member
- International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA) - Member
Vancouver, British Columbia
- English
- Alberta, 1985
- British Columbia, 1990
- Canadian Bar Insurance Association - Board of Directors
- Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute - Member
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans - Member
- International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA) - Member
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2026)
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2024)
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2021)
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2018)
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2013)
- Employee Benefits Law, Vancouver, Canada (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2026 for work in:
- Employee Benefits Law
Awards:
- Chambers Canada: Pensions & Benefits
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Pensions and Employee Benefits (Employer)
- The Legal 500 Canada: Labour & Employment
- Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada 2018: Labour & Employment
- Lexpert Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada 2005: Pensions and Employee Benefits law
- Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: AV Peer Review rated
News & Media
Additional Information
- Experience
Pension and Benefit Litigation Experience
Involved in disputes over or involving:
- Reduction in post-retirement benefits
- Trustee deadlock resolution
- Integration of registered pensions plans with Canada Pension Plan
- Conversion of defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution pension plans
- Collection of Exit Levies from employers leaving health and welfare trusts
- Enhanced early retirement entitlement
- Entitlement to pre-retirement death benefit
- Recovery of benefit overpayments, including recovery on account of recovery from third party
- Disability benefit denial
- Trustee advice and direction
- Surplus ownershipContribution holidays
Pension and Benefits Practice (Non-Litigious)
- Advises over 30 boards of trustees of multi-employer pension or benefit plans
- Helped introduce Saskatchewan's first target benefit pension plan
- Chaired Union Management Task Force constituted to determine future pension arrangements for a large public sector employer – implemented unanimous report accepted by all parties
- Conducted review of governance structure of staff pension plan of significant public sector employer, including extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders, and implementation of recommendations
- Helped introduce joint trusteeship to several public sector pension plans in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba
- Advises trustees and other plan sponsors on fiduciary liability
- Prepares plan texts and other documentation for post-retirement benefit plans
- Drafts and amends plan texts and trust agreements for RPPs, health and welfare plans, DPSPs, EPSPs, group RRSPs, RCAs and IPPs
- Prepares complete restatements of plan texts
- Drafts and implements supplemental pension arrangements
- Drafts and implements letters of credit trust arrangements to secure supplemental pension arrangements or comply with new solvency rules
- Helped establish new defined benefit multi-employer pension planAdvises on compliance with CAPSA CAP guidelines for participant directed defined contribution plans
- Implements PIPA compliant privacy policies for boards of trustees of pension and benefit plans
- Prepares opinions on, and liaises with regulators and fundholders regarding, surplus ownership,contribution holidays and payment of administrative expenses
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