Richard N. Billington, K.C. is the founder of Billington Barristers and has practiced law as trial, appellate and regulatory counsel since 1984. In addition to his experience before all levels of Court in Alberta, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, he has also appeared before the Courts of other provinces and territories. Rick is also an experienced in mediation and arbitration.

The foundation of Rick’s practice is his experience before the Court in all manners of civil dispute. More particularly, Rick has extensive experience in protecting employer interests against employees or former employees who breach fiduciary duties or confidentiality obligations, in corporate/commercial litigation and corporate insolvency and restructuring. He serves employers from a wide range of industries in wrongful dismissal actions. His clients include energy companies, oil field service providers, investors, corporate boards, inventors, accounting firms, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and financial institutions. In addition to wrongful dismissal matters, he is experienced in dealing with professional partnerships where departing partners allege breach of duties of good faith.

Rick is regularly called on to address industry and professional groups on employer protections against misappropriation or oppression claims and remedies to fight fraud. Rick is sought out by clients and other law firms for his experience in obtaining and defending against extraordinary remedies including injunctions and emergency orders. His work is often precedent setting, and over 80 of his cases have been reported in the law reports. He is frequently retained as co-counsel by other firms to augment their team with his experience.

Rick has dealt with situations where key employees may also be shareholders or directors of corporations. When disagreements arise, those employees may commence litigation claiming relief against oppressive conduct and claiming wrongful dismissal. Rick’s experience includes acting for the businesses facing such claims and in developing strategies to quickly and successfully counter these allegations.

Rick is a committed supporter of oral advocacy training, including at the Faculties of Law and Management at the University of Calgary. He is a donor of the Baker/Billington cup for oral advocacy at the UCalgary Law School. He is active in his community including in charitable and educational organizations. The Province of Alberta appointed Richard N. Billington as Queen's Counsel in 2005.