Statement

I am a civil litigator who was called to the Alberta bar in 2010, and the NWT bar in 2021. My practice areas include commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, contract disputes, corporate fraud, foreclosures and collections, and insurance coverage, subrogation and defence.

I am running for Bencher because I will bring an important perspective to the Law Society from a constituency that is currently underrepresented in our profession. I identify as a queer female, and am a visible member of the LGBTQIIS+ community. I do not speak for this whole community, but I do bring lived experience of being a queer lawyer in a profession that still has ways to go before it is truly inclusive of gender and sexual minorities. If elected as a Bencher, I would hope to be a model for current and aspiring queer lawyers.

As a youth and even as a younger adult, it was very meaningful for me when I could see people who “looked like me” in the spaces and places I aspired to join. In looking at the roster of current Benchers, I can honestly say that there is nobody in the present Bencher compliment who “looks like me”.

I am well prepared to serve the profession as a Bencher. The Law Society of Alberta faces a number of significant challenges, but my time as a hockey player and a coach has taught me how to work collaboratively on a team with various roles, to overcome significant challenges. I was a member of a Panda’s Hockey Team during the dynasty years, and I have coached University-level hockey for 15 years at both MacEwan and the University of Alberta. After officially retiring from coaching this past fall, I am ready to tackle new challenges.

I have spent many years on the executive for various sections of the CBA including insurance, and creditor’s rights, but now feels like the right time to give back to the legal profession in a more substantial way. My firm has a longstanding tradition of giving back to the community as well as its groundbreaking support for Iawyers from diverse backgrounds, including early women lawyers, lawyers with disabilities and queer lawyers.

Running for Bencher is an opportunity for me to fill a void in the true representation of our profession. I would appreciate your support in this endeavor.