Best Lawyers in Alberta, Canada for Family Law

Jessica A. MacDonald is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jessica A. practices law in Calgary, Alberta Best Lawyers has recognized Jessica A. MacDonald since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jessica A. MacDonald is held by other lawyers.

Micah graduated with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2011. He has been practicing exclusively in the area of family law for over a decade. Earlier in Micah’s legal career, his family law practice focused on high-conflict cases involving child custody, family violence, and urgent financial matters. He joined the partnership at Soby Boyden Lenz LLP in 2021 and has had an active mediation practice since 2022. Micah’s experience with high conflict fam...

Peter Hryniuk is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Peter practices law in Calgary, Alberta Best Lawyers has recognized Peter Hryniuk since 2012. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Peter Hryniuk is held by other lawyers.

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...

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...

Wendy E. Best has a well-established family law practice and has earned ongoing recognition as a leading family law practitioner since being called to the bar in 1980. She joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 1982 and became partner in 1986. Wendy was appointed King's Counsel in 1994. She acts primarily for high net worth individuals and families. While she settles most matters, Wendy’s practice includes litigation. She was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawye...

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...

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...

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...

Scot D.E. Menzies is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Scot D.E. practices law in Calgary, Alberta Best Lawyers has recognized Scot D.E. Menzies since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Scot D.E. Menzies is held by other lawyers.

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...

Mat Wirove is an accredited mediator and reputable family lawyer, recognized for his proficiency in court. With a prior background in civil litigation, Mat's versatile legal experience equips him to tackle a broad spectrum of family law matters with skill and efficiency. A Transparent, Client-Centred Approach Mat adopts a policy of openness and honesty with his clients, keeping them thoroughly informed about their case as it progresses. He understands the unique complexities of every situatio...

Andrew Koeman is a family law and divorce lawyer. Andrew graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Laws (Juris Doctor) in 2009. He completed his articles with Alberta Justice and continued to work there for two years as a Crown Prosecutor in the Specialized Prosecutions Branch, focusing on complex economic crimes, before he decided to practice family law exclusively. While Andrew has experience in all areas of family law, he developed a practice with a specific focus on comp...

Enrique has over 18 years of experience helping clients navigate family law disputes with clarity and confidence. Before becoming a lawyer, he was a high school teacher—an experience that still shapes his approach to his legal practice today. Whether guiding clients through the legal process or advocating in court, Enrique brings the heart of a teacher to everything he does. Clients meeting with Enrique can always expect a bit of “homework.” He believes strongly that clients...

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...

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...