Kris M. Saxberg

Kris. M Saxberg is one of the firm's founding partners and has been a leader in the legal community for over two decades. Before co-founding Cochrane Sinclair, he served as managing partner at D’Arcy & Deacon LLP, the firm from which the founding partners originated. Called to the Bar in 1999, Kris’s background includes a dynamic career in broadcasting with CKND-TV and CBC-TV and experience as a musician.

Kris specializes in labour and employment law, class actions, and complex civil litigation. As lead or co-lead counsel, he has played a pivotal role in some of the most significant cases in Manitoba’s history. Among his many accomplishments, Kris led a 14-week pension trial, resulting in a $140 million judgment in favour of his clients against MTS (now Bell MTS). The Supreme Court of Canada later upheld the decision and awarded full indemnity costs, a landmark victory.

A trusted advocate for Indigenous communities, Kris has represented Indigenous organizations, Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies, advocacy groups, and political organizations. Notably, he argued the Kapyong Barracks case at the Federal Court of Appeal and negotiated the Comprehensive Settlement Agreement for Peguis First Nation. His involvement in the Monin Inquiry, the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry, and the Centra Gas regulatory case demonstrates his longstanding commitment to justice for Indigenous peoples.

Most recently, Kris, alongside Shawn Scarcello, successfully challenged provincial legislation that wrongfully claimed Children’s Special Allowances (CSA) from children in CFS care. Their efforts led to the largest settlement in Manitoba history—a $530 million settlement that will return over $500 million in benefits and interest to the children the funds were intended for.

In addition to his litigation practice, Kris is proud to serve as the long-time labour lawyer for TEAM-IFPTE Local 161, representing professional employees at Bell MTS.

A seasoned trial lawyer, Kris has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, and courts at all levels in Manitoba. His extensive experience extends to regulatory and administrative tribunals, including the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Public Utilities Board, and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.

Education

• Canadian Gas Association Regulatory Course, 2001
• University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Laws, 1998
• The Manitoba Legislative Internship, 1995
• University of Manitoba, Premaster, 1994
• University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts with distinction, 1993

Leadership, Membership and Achievements

• Law Society of Manitoba
• Manitoba Bar Association
• Canadian Bar Association
• Former Director and Legal Counsel, Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Experience Program
• Member, SOCAN

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