Works at
McLeod Law LLP

25 Best Lawyers awards

McLeod Law LLP logo

Biography

Shelley E. Waite, TEP, is a Calgary lawyer with McLeod Law LLP whose practice focuses on Trusts and Estates. She assists clients with personal and family estate matters, including:

  • estate planning
  • trust planning
  • U.S. and cross-border planning
  • estate administration
  • estate dispute resolution
  • elder law
  • guardianship and trusteeship matters

Shelley helps clients navigate the legal and practical issues that may arise during the estate planning and administration process. She takes time to understand each client’s circumstances, explain available options, and develop practical solutions that address their individual concerns.

She also works collaboratively with clients’ other professional advisers to help coordinate estate planning and administration matters in Calgary and throughout Alberta.

Works at
McLeod Law LLP

25 Best Lawyers awards

McLeod Law LLP logo

Locations

Languages

  • English

Education

  • Portland State University, BA (Honours), graduated 1998
  • University of Calgary, LLB, graduated 2002

Bar Admissions

  • British Columbia, Law Society of British Columbia, 2025
  • Alberta, 2003

Affiliations

  • Glenlake Hockey League - Board member / House League Tournament coordinator (2014-2019)
  • Canadian Association of Gift Planners - Former Executive Member, Southern Alberta Round Table (2012)
  • Leave A Legacy Calgary - Former Executive Member (2004-2015)
  • Canadian Bar Association - Committee member, Southern Alberta, Wills & Trusts Law Section, Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (2010-2011)
  • Canadian Bar Association - Committee member, Southern Alberta, Wills & Succession Act (2011-2012)
  • Canadian Bar Association - Chair, Wills & Trusts Section - Southern Alberta (2010-2012)
  • Canadian Bar Association - Chair, Wills, Estates & Trusts Section - National (2016-2017)
  • Canadian Bar Association - End of Life Working Group (2016-2019)
  • Canadian Bar Association - Executive Committee, Wills, Estates & Trusts Section - National, 6-year term
  • Canadian Bar Association - Honorary member-at-large, Executive Committee, Wills, Estates & Trusts Section - National (2019-2020)
  • Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) - Chair, 2025 Refresher Conference: Will and Estates, Victoria BC (April 2025)
  • Society of Estates and Trusts Practitioners (STEP) - Keynote Speaker STEP Showcase Event (Sept 2025)
  • Society of Estates and Trusts Practitioners (STEP) - Trust and Estate Planner (TEP) designation (2012-present)
  • Alberta Surrogate Rule - Advisory Sub-Committee Member (2020- present)
  • Advance Care Planning (ACP) Alberta - Collaborative Research and Innovation Opportunities (ACP CRIO) Research Program (2014-present)
  • Advance Care Planning (ACP) Alberta - Advisory Committee Member (2021-present)
  • Surrogate Rules Advisory Committee - Committee Member, CBA Representative (2022 - present)
  • Estate Planning Counsel of Canada (EPCC) - Member (2023 - present)
  • Cambridge Forum - Committee Member (2024 and 2026)
  • Alberta Advance Care Planning, Collaborative Research and Innovation Opportunities (ACP CRIO) Research Program (2014-present) - Member
  • BC Law Society - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2027 for work in:
  • Trusts and Estates
Awards:
  • Volunteer of the Year, Glenlake Hockey Association

  • Appointed King’s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta (2024)

  • Clients highly recommend Shelley, giving her a rating of 5 out of 5 (“Platinum” rating) on Martindale-Hubbell.com.

  • Shelley is recognized by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading practitioner in Estate & Personal Tax Planning

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