For over 31 years, until the end of 2006, in addition to his general practice, Lawrie Cherniack acted as a lawyer for employees and unions. He left his entire advocacy practice to focus on conflict resolution, believing that his skills, experience, and training, would be best used in bringing people together rather than in perpetuating the conflicts that divide them.
- Served as an arbitrator in labour, construction, and aboriginal law, was vice-chair of the Manitoba Labour Board and of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, chaired the City of Winnipeg Act Review Committee and the Manitoba Qualifications Recognition Initiative Committee, and has successfully mediated complex issues.
- Created and taught courses on arbitration, negotiation, strategy-development, and advocacy across Canada.
- Served as a City Councillor, a teacher, a community organizer, and a radio and television commentator on current affairs. Served on the boards of over twenty community organizations; and acted as a lawyer for numerous non-profit organizations and administrative tribunals.
- Extensive training in group work and Certificate in Mediation Practice from Mediation Services.
- Awarded Chartered Arbitrator and Chartered Mediator status by the ADR Institute of Canada.
- Appointed as Adjudicator for Indian Residential Schools Appeal Claims.