Statement

I am running for Bencher because I believe in professional self-regulation that is efficient, effective, and focused on the Law Society’s core mandate of protecting the public interest. I have a proven track record of service to the legal community. In my various roles, I have built a reputation for integrity, collegiality, and sound judgment. I believe those attributes would serve me well in the role of Bencher.

I am a Professor of Law at the University of Alberta as well as a practicing lawyer with Miller Thomson LLP. My areas of specialization include property law, constitutional law, Aboriginal law, natural resources law, and judicial remedies. I have authored or co-authored three books and close to two dozen academic articles on these and other legal topics. In my practice, I have advised governments, First Nations, and businesses on constitutional, regulatory, and civil issues. I have also argued two cases before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Prior to joining the University of Alberta in 2015, I was a graduate student at Harvard Law School, where I completed LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees. I previously served as a law clerk for the Hon. Justice Frans Slatter of the Alberta Court of Appeal and for the Hon. Justice Rosalie Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada.

In recent years, I have taken on a number of leadership roles in the legal community, including:

• President of the Edmonton Bar Association (January 2023 to present; board member since 2018): The Edmonton Bar Association is a non-profit society whose stated objects are to consider, discuss and take action in respect of all matters pertaining to the practice of law, the legal profession, and the administration of justice in the City of Edmonton. The EBA board oversees a significant endowment fund which is used to promote legal education and access to justice, as well as fellowship and public service within the Edmonton legal community.
• Member of the Alberta Judicial Council (April 2020 to present): The Judicial Council consists of the Chief Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Court of King’s Bench, and the Court of Justice, along with the President of the Law Society and two public members. The Council interviews candidates and makes recommendations for judicial appointments, receives and makes determinations on conduct complaints against judges, and makes determinations on issues pertaining to the administration of the courts.
• Board Member, Centre for Constitutional Studies (July 2021 to present)