Lawrence E. "Laurie" Smith K.C.

Marlow Gereluk acts as lead counsel in syndicated and bilateral debt financings, project financings, asset-backed lending and offerings of bonds, debentures and convertible debt, both national and cross-border. He also advises clients in connection with distressed debt offerings and restructurings, and inter-creditor negotiations. Mr. Gereluk has extensive experience with derivatives, particularly with commodity, cross-currency and interest rate hedging transactions, credit default swaps and ...

Colleen Abel is a corporate and commercial lawyer in our Calgary office, with a practice that primarily focuses on energy and natural resources. In addition to her energy practice, Colleen also has broad experience in providing general advice and assistance to clients across a variety of industries, including financial, consumer goods and technology, and provides support to clients and our team in relation to M&A employment matters. She has extensive experience in interpreting, preparing ...

Beth Younggren is a member of Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP ’s civil litigation and dispute resolution team. She joined the firm in 2015 after articling with and then working as associate counsel at a large multi-national law firm in its civil litigation group. Beth maintains a diverse commercial litigation practice, and specializes in advising clients with respect to construction litigation, including builders’ liens, contractual disputes, especially in the oil and gas and real estate...

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 ...

Marika’s practice is focused on resolving complex business disputes, with a particular emphasis on the energy and electricity sectors. She advises oil and gas companies, power producers, construction and real estate development firms, insurers, service providers, and boards of directors on a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including director and officer liability issues. Her experience includes disputes involving breach of contract, fiduciary duty, negligence, fraud, and ot...

Jennifer Biernaskie is a litigation strategist who finds solutions. She skillfully analyzes a claim from all sides, considering both the present details and what will happen down the road. The end result is a forward-thinking strategy that shapes a successful future for her clients. Her strong track record for resolving claims is based on skill, creative agreements and common sense in commercial litigation, insurance defence, and administrative law. With particular proficiency in high-complex...

Alison is a skilled labour and employment lawyer. She advises employers in Alberta and Ontario in a wide range of industries across the public and private sectors, including oil & gas, banking, food and agriculture, aviation, and health care. Alison works closely with in-house counsel as well as human resources and labour relations professionals providing strategic advice on labour relations, arbitration, collective bargaining, human rights, employment policies and procedures, disability ...

Derek Allchurch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Derek, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Derek is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin Burt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Justin, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As one of our founders, Joe was appointed King’s Counsel in 1994 and a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta in 1995. He offers tax advice on a wide variety of matters, including resource tax, mergers and acquisitions and dispute resolution. An impactful leader, Joe guides our lawyers with active mentorship and mindful team building. Joe gives back to the community in a myriad of ways, both in an academic and volunteer capacity. He has taught at the University of A...