Litigation, Professional Negligence, Health, Employment and Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Education

University of Alberta, JD, 2012 University of Alberta, BSc (Psychology, Hons.), 2009, with distinction 

Bar Admissions

Alberta, 2013

Sarah J. Huot

Partner

T: 780.917.4253 / E: huots@bennettjones.com

Edmonton


Sarah Huot has a full-service employment law practice, as well as a civil litigation law practice in the areas of health law and estate litigation.

Employment Law

Sarah acts for provincially and federally regulated employers and is known for providing strategic and practical advice tailored to a client’s business and specific needs. Sarah routinely advises clients across Western Canada, and in several industries, on a variety of employment issues including termination practices and strategies, employment standards compliance, discipline, human rights matters including the employer’s duty to accommodate and disability management, workplace harassment allegations and investigations, and restrictive covenants. Sarah is also frequently engaged to advise on labour and employment issues that arise in corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions and restructurings.

Sarah represents employers in all types of employment-related disputes and litigation before the courts, including in wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal matters. Sarah has appeared in all levels of court in Alberta. She has defended employers against complaints made under the Canada Labour Code and to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Alberta Employment Standards Board, and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.

Sarah has extensive experience with the drafting of employment contracts and workplace policies, which she approaches with practicality and the mitigation of risk in mind. She also assists clients with drafting and enforcing non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements.

Health Law and Estate Litigation

Sarah also represents physicians in civil litigation involving malpractice actions. Sarah also assists physicians with fatality inquiries and proceedings involving privacy, hospital and professional discipline issues. Sarah’s practice also involves assisting individuals and families with various estate litigation issues including disputes relating to wills and family maintenance and support claims. In addition to her practice, Sarah was formerly a member of the executive for the Canadian Bar Association's Wills, Estates and Trusts Section (North).

Select Experience

  • Heidelberg Materials North America in its binding purchase agreement to acquire the Edmonton, Alberta, assets of BURNCO, a successful fifth-generation family-owned construction materials company
  • TriWest in its indirect investment through its affiliates of a majority equity interest in Alta West Mortgage Capital
  • Resource Modeling Solutions Ltd., an Alberta-based mining software company, in its share sale to a strategic buyer
  • Norwesco Canada Ltd. in its $8.75-million acquisition of  Xactics International Inc. 
  • Enerbuilt Technologies Inc., in the sale of all of its assets and business to Flameless Solutions Inc., a related entity to WesternOne Inc., a reporting issuer, for consideration of cash and securities of WesternOne Inc., and related pre-closing reorganization of Enerbuilt Technologies Inc.

Recent Recognitions

  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
    Repeatedly Recommended, Medical Negligence
     

Recent Insights, News & Events

  • Heidelberg Materials Acquires Assets of BURNCO in Edmonton
    Client Work / July 31, 2025
    Heidelberg Materials North America announced that it has entered into a binding purchase agreement to acquire the assets of BURNCO Rock Products Ltd in Edmonton, Alberta. BURNCO is a successful fifth-generation family-owned construction materials company with locations in Canada and the United States. 
  • Bennett Jones Spring 2025 Employment Update
    Event / April 10, 2025
    In the Bennett Jones Spring 2025 Employment Update, our team of lawyers provided an in-depth review of the most recent changes in employment legislation and case law. This symposium was an essential opportunity for professionals to stay ahead of key developments and ensure compliance in today’s dynamic workplace environment.
  • Legal Precedent on Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreements—A Case Study
    Blog / December 10, 2024
    Employee restrictive covenants are often a contentious issue, especially when employees leave to form (or join) competing firms. A recent Alberta Court of King’s Bench decision, People Corporation v Quinn et al. (2024 ABKB 711), offers valuable insights into how courts balance the enforceability of restrictive covenants, employee rights, and employer interests. This case revolves around allegations of breach of restrictive covenants and the legal intricacies involved in assessing their validity.
  • Bennett Jones Welcomes 10 New Partners
    Announcements / March 08, 2023
    Bennett Jones is pleased to announce that 10 lawyers have been admitted to the partnership. These remarkable individuals and leaders at the firm serve clients from our offices across Canada in our key industry groups and practice areas.
  • Employment and Labour Laws: Protecting Your Business
    Speaking Engagements / November 23, 2022
    Sarah Huot and Tayler Meagher presented to The Leduc, Nisku & Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber members and guests on Employment and Labour Laws: Protecting Your Business. The webinar covered employment-related issues and risks that are relevant to businesses of all sizes, including an overview of an employer's key obligations with respect to its employees, common areas of concern and tips to protect your business.
  • Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Considerations for Startups
    Speaking Engagements / October 17, 2022
    Annie Tran, Ahmed Elmallah, Amy Verhoeff and Sarah Huot hosted a Q&A seminar entitled Incorporating, Investing & IP: Ask a Lawyer Anything! as part of Edmonton Startup Week. The group fielded burning legal questions from new and early-stage businesses on a range of topics.
  • Bennett Jones Nominated in 2021 Chambers Law Awards
    Announcements / July 12, 2021
    Bennett Jones is nominated in the following four categories in the 2021 Chambers Law Awards: Healthcare Law Firm of the Year, Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, Corporate Lawyer of the Year, Real Estate Lawyer of the Year.
  • Wills Drafting: When to Challenge
    Articles / December 03, 2019
    Barbara Stratton Q.C., Sarah Huot and Hong Feng authored "Wills Drafting: When to Challenge" for the Trust and Estates Law & Tax Journal, December 2019, No. 212.  
  • Bennett Jones Employment Seminar
    Speaking Engagements / December 07, 2017
    Michael Sestito, Laura Inglis, Sarah J. Huot, James J. Heelan, Matthew Riskin, and Barbara Stratton present at the Bennett Jones Employment Seminar on Changes to Alberta's Labour and Employment Law.
  • Staying the Course: Courts Will Not Hear Stayed Actions
    Blog / November 20, 2017
    In Ayoungman v Ayoungman, 2017 ABCA 333, the Court of Appeal of Alberta considered a dismissed application of the appellant, who claimed that the chambers judge did not give him a fair chance to argue [...]
  • Lawyers' Opinions Matter When a Will Is Prepared
    Blog / June 08, 2017
    When a Will is challenged on the basis of allegations of undue influence, incapacity, or suspicious circumstances, the court will look at various factors to decide if the Will should be followed or declared [...]
  • Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
    Speaking Engagements / May 10, 2017
    Jennifer Miller and Sarah Huot present on "Medical Marijuana – A Workplace Safety Hazard?".
  • Cannabis and the Construction Site
    Articles / April 06, 2017
    Sarah Huot was interviewed by Glenn Cook in the article Cannabis and the Construction Site published by Alberta Toolbox. 
  • Alberta Construction Safety Association - NCSO Conference
    Speaking Engagements / March 09, 2017
    Jennifer Miller and Sarah Huot present "Medical Marijuana – A Workplace Safety Hazard?".
  • A Deceased Can't Always Will What They Want
    Blog / February 22, 2017
    There is a common misconception that the testator is free to leave their estate to anyone they choose. While this is largely true, certain family members who were left out or feel they were inadequately [...]
  • Be Sure to Mind your Manners in Estate Litigation
    Blog / February 08, 2017
    Miss Manners may just be worth listening to for those involved in wills and estate litigation. In fact, not doing so may be to your detriment given that poor conduct can cost you with the courts. The [...]
  • Bennett Jones Edmonton Employment Seminar 2016
    Speaking Engagements / November 03, 2016
    Jennifer Miller and Sarah Huot present "Medical Marijuana – A Workplace Safety Hazard?"
  • Combined Anesthesia, ICU, and CV Surgery Rounds
    Speaking Engagements / December 13, 2014
    Sarah J. Becker presents "The Legal Implications of Physician Fatigue" at the Combined Anesthesia, ICU, and CV Surgery Rounds, University of Alberta Hospital.
  • Inappropriate E-mail Use by Employees can Constitute Cause for Dismissal (Labour Notes)
    Articles / February 03, 2014
    Increased usage and reliance on the Internet creates new challenges for both employees and an employer's human resources department. In certain circumstances, employees can be fired for engaging in inappropriate Internet use at work. The case law reveals certain trends which can be used as guidance when navigating the issues surrounding Internet use in the workplace. Published in the February 3, 2014, edition (Number 1491) of Labour Notes by Wolters Kluwer CCH.
  • Inappropriate E-mail Use by Employees can Constitute Cause for Dismissal (Ultimate HR Manual)
    Articles / January 06, 2014
    Increased usage and reliance on the Internet creates new challenges for both employees and an employer's human resources department. In certain circumstances, employees can be fired for engaging in inappropriate Internet use at work. The case law reveals certain trends which can be used as guidance when navigating the issues surrounding Internet use in the workplace. Published in the January 2014 edition (Number 79) of Ultimate HR Manual - Western Edition by Wolters Kluwer CCH.
  • Does Demoting An Employee Equal Constructive Dismissal?
    Articles / August 26, 2013
    Blog post by James J. Heelan, Q.C. and Sarah Becker reproduced in Labour Notes, Number 1481, Wolters Kluwer CCH.
  • LESA Seminar – Calgary
    Speaking Engagements / March 12, 2013
    For the Legal Education Society of Alberta, Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C. presents "The Road to Court is Paved with Good Intentions… How to Draft with Intention" (co-authored by Sarah Becker, Heather Goetz and Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C).
  • LESA Seminar – Edmonton
    Speaking Engagements / March 05, 2013
    For the Legal Education Society of Alberta, Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C. presents "The Road to Court is Paved with Good Intentions… How to Draft with Intention" (co-authored by Sarah Becker, Heather Goetz and Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C).
  • The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners – 2012
    Speaking Engagements / October 18, 2012
    Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C. presents a paper co-authored by Heather Goetz, Sarah Becker and Barbara J. Stratton, Q.C.