Melissa Smith

Kevin Keyes is a Partner in the firm’s Calgary office. His practice focuses on real estate development, financing and leasing. Kevin has advised clients with respect to land assembly; annexation; purchase; subdivision; rezoning; development approvals; financing; leasing; management and sale of commercial and institutional projects, and public/private-sector initiatives. Regularly assists clients in making strategic business decisions, negotiating and preparing complex commercial agreeme...

Tim is peer ranked as one of the top labour and employment lawyers in Canada. For over 25 years, Tim has advocated for federally and provincially regulated employers on matters related to workplace law. He acts as lead counsel on significant labour, employment, and workplace human rights cases, including in matters that have been elevated to the Supreme Court of Canada. Tim sets a new standard for employer advocacy. His commitment to building trusting relationships through counseling employer...

Arif is a commercial litigator based in Calgary. He has appeared at all levels of court in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada. Arif has experience in international arbitration and before administrative boards, including the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. Arif has represented large multinational corporations, product manufacturers, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, national sports organizations, franchisees and franchisors, general contract...

Taryn Burnett is a partner in firm's Calgary office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation and privacy related matters. In her civil litigation practice, Taryn's practice focuses on professional and product liability. Taryn acts on product liability cases in various industries, including the automobile industry, where she has been the trusted adviser to a large industry client migrating their risk, providing creative solutions and delivering dedicated client service. In addition, she regul...

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...

Michael Morcom acts for lenders and borrowers in corporate finance and mid-market financing transactions. He is the Managing Partner of the Calgary office and a leader of the Firm’s Financial Services specialty group. Mike has extensive experience in secured transactions and opinion mandates (acting for lenders and borrowers), as well as commercial real estate matters. Michael brings a personable and collaborative approach to his practice to achieve accuracy, efficiency, and results for...

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.

Jeffrey Coles is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Intellectual Property Law. Jeffrey practices law in Calgary, Alberta Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey Coles since 2022. 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 Jeffrey Coles is held by other lawyers.

Gordon “Gord” Van Vliet is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate and Business practice groups with nearly 20 years of experience helping public and private developers build and manage many large properties throughout Alberta and British Columbia. He provides strategic counsel on a broad range of complex commercial real estate transactions and structures, including commercial and residential land development, sales and acquisitions, mergers, leasing and property management, co-...

Gavin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Zoology) from the University of Calgary. He then attended the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary, graduating in 2001. Upon graduation, Gavin clerked at the Court of Appeal and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Following his clerkship, Gavin completed his articles at the Calgary offices of a large national law firm, practicing in securities and regulatory matters. He was called to the Alberta Bar in 2002. Gavin joine...