Who we are
Our Firm
Based in Edmonton, Alberta, we support clients across Canada. As members of the Canadian Association of Workplace Investigators (CAWI), we conduct workplace investigations in accordance with recognized principles, ensuring a process that is fair, thorough, and impartial.
We bring broad experience across sectors, including governance boards, government and municipalities, school boards and post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, financial and professional services, healthcare, construction, retail, and technology. Our work spans unionized and non-unionized environments, as well as specialized sectors such as security and policing, arts and entertainment, sports organizations, and property management.
Our approach is shaped by both legal expertise and executive leadership experience. We have led HR and operational teams and understand the real-world implications of workplace decisions. We conduct rigorous, respectful investigations that prioritize both the integrity of the process and the preservation of workplace culture.
As lawyers, we know our findings must support informed decision-making and withstand legal scrutiny. At the same time, we focus on helping organizations move beyond individual incidents by identifying practical, preventative measures that strengthen workplace culture.
We are committed to true neutrality—both in practice and perception—because confidence in the process is essential. Our work is informed by extensive experience making and defending complex decisions in high-stakes environments. This perspective ensures that our investigations are practical, credible and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
Our Team
Kirsten Hayne
Managing Director
Kirsten Hayne, B.Ed., LL.B., is an experienced lawyer, workplace investigator and executive with more than two decades of leadership in law, human resources, corporate governance, and organizational culture. As Managing Director of Southbend Consulting + Counsel, she provides neutral, fair, and discreet workplace investigations that preserve integrity, rebuild trust, and support productive resolution.
A member of the Law Society of Alberta since 2005, Kirsten brings a rare blend of legal expertise and executive insight to every investigation. Her background includes serving as Vice President, People Services & General Counsel, at a large not-for-profit organization —a $170M dynamic organization employing over 2,000 people—where she oversaw legal affairs, HR, and governance through significant organizational transformation. She later joined a national construction firm as Director of Corporate Services, leading HR, Legal, Finance, IT, and Safety portfolios while developing systems that empowered transparent communication and accountability across all levels of the organization.
Earlier in her career, Kirsten practiced employment, labour, and education law at a private law firm, representing employers across Alberta and the North on complex workplace and human rights matters. Known for her pragmatic, people-centered approach, she combines legal precision with strong change management and communication skills to deliver balanced, defensible, and timely findings.
Kirsten is a respected advisor and speaker on workplace culture, leadership, and governance. She has served on several boards including Little Warriors (Past Chair) and the Edmonton Police Foundation, and continues to mentor professionals in human resources and legal leadership.
Through Southbend Consulting + Counsel, Kirsten partners with organizations to conduct thorough and impartial workplace investigations, and to design systems that prevent conflict, foster trust, and enhance workplace well-being.
Contact us
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