Best Alberta Family Lawyers
Caroline Lee, KC is a senior family law practitioner specializing in family law and alternative dispute resolution including collaborative family law, mediation and arbitration. She joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP 1989 with an established background in all aspects of family law. Caroline became a partner in 1994 and was managing partner of the firm for six years. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2004. Caroline has been involved as a family law teacher and lecturer with the Legal Educ...
Krysta Ostwald earned her B.A. in 1993 and her LL.B. in 1996, both from the University of Victoria. She articled with Fraser Milner and was called to the Alberta Bar in 1997. Since then she has practiced exclusively in the area of family law. Krysta worked with the firms of Laurie Allen & Associates, Turnbull Boyes and Soby Boyden Lenz, before creating Widdowson Kachur Ostwald Menzies LLP with her partners. Krysta emphasizes resolving disputes without unnecessary conflict. She utilizes ma...
Dereck is a senior family law lawyer, having practiced exclusively in this area since being called to the Alberta Bar in 1995. Dereck holds a B.A. (Hons.) from McGill University followed by his L..L.B. from the University of Alberta. As a skilled litigator, he has appeared successfully at all levels of court in Alberta as well as in numerous arbitrations. Dereck also has extensive experience in negotiating settlements and drafting agreements. He applies a reasoned approach to his files and en...
Aaron Martens, KC is a family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer. He joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 1998 and is a partner in the firm. Aaron’s experience in family law matters includes being counsel on a wide variety of family and special chambers applications. He has represented clients in trials at Provincial Court and the King's Counsel, and has made appearances at the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Aaron also does adoption work. Aaron ...
Stacey has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since her call to the Bar in 2014, and between 2010 and 2014 she worked and/or volunteered with Family Justice Services (now Resolution Services) at the Calgary Courts Centre as a judicial clerk/intake worker assisting individuals with Family Law matters. Stacey believes that clients are best served through the use of alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation and arbitration, and as such will encourage people to consi...
Marcus is an award-winning family lawyer practicing in Alberta and British Columbia, honoured as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers and featured in Best Lawyers in Canada in 2024, 2025, and 2026. As the founder of both Crossroads Law and Coach My Case, he is recognized for disrupting the practice of law to provide a more client-centred legal experience while advocating for access to justice. Marcus is passionate about consensual dispute resolution. He believes that most fam...
Carey was told by many that ‘she should be a lawyer when she grew up’. So, she did just that. Carey was raised in Calgary, Alberta taking both her Bachelor of Arts Degree, and later her Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University of Calgary. After obtaining her Law Degree in 2010, Carey articled at a mid-size firm. Shortly thereafter Carey worked with Pam Bell as a young associate. It was there she discovered her love of family law. Carey’s love of family law is grounded in he...
Shayi Xu is a Calgary family lawyer and the head of the Family Law group at McLeod Law LLP . She has practiced exclusively in Family Law since 2009, assisting clients with family law litigation and a range of dispute resolution processes, including mediation and arbitration. Shayi works with individuals and families facing high-conflict and complex family law matters. She aims to help clients address their concerns in an effective, efficient, and practical manner. Her practice also includes p...
Traci Bannister is a Family Lawyer and Family Law Mediator and is a partner at the firm Boyes Tiefenbach Bannister Family Law Counsel LLP in Calgary, Alberta. Traci practiced as an Attorney and Family Law Mediator in South Africa for 20 years before moving to Calgary in 2012. Traci requalified as a Barrister/Solicitor in Canada and was called to the Alberta bar in June 2015. Traci is experienced in helping clients reach resolutions of disputes in all areas of family law, such as parenting dis...
Gordon Sterchi, KC articled with Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2001 and became a partner in 2010. He practices in the area of family law as both a litigator and a mediator, as well as counsel for landowners in surface rights matters in Alberta. Gord is currently a member of the Calgary Flames Ambassadors and serves on their Board of Directors. He is also on the executive of the Calgary Bar Association and serves as the Vice President. He previously served on the Board of Directors with The Dist...
Gary has been practicing as a lawyer for more than 20 years and is the managing partner of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP. Gary also has extensive training as a Mediator and has participated in numerous Mediation, Arbitration and Judicial Dispute Resolution hearings. In addition to the practice areas of Wills and Estates, Mediation and Family Law, Gary is also an experienced litigator. He has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta. Currently, Gary’s practice is focused primarily on Es...
With a focus on settlement and the best interests of the family, Alex helps his clients minimize conflict and avoid costly prolonged court battles. He is known for his bright and practical approach and for helping clients reach solutions that ultimately allow them to move forward with their lives. Alex has extensive training and experience in interest-based negotiation, mediation and arbitration. He offers creative solutions for clients in a way that best fits their needs whether that be thro...
Wanda has been practicing as a lawyer for more than 20 years and is a returning partner of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP. A family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator, Wanda Dawson has argued successfully at every level of Court in Alberta. She has extensive training and experience in many methods of litigation and conflict resolution, including collaborative law, lawyer-assisted mediation, arbitration, interest-based negotiation, and parenting coordination. Wanda&rsqu...
Kevin has practiced almost exclusively family law for over 25 years. His more recent litigation has been at the appellate level but his practice has shifted to representing a few private clients and acting as mediator (most often with counsel present) and arbitrator (often of longer, more complicated arbitrations). His articles/papers on family law issues have been published by the Lawyer's Weekly and he is a regular contributor to the continuing legal education of Alberta's family bar throug...
