President

Bennett Jones LLP
3200 TELUS House, South Tower
10020 – 100th Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 0N3

Mr. Cranston was called to the Bar in 1979, and has practiced in Edmonton since that time. He is a graduate of the Commerce Faculty (Public Policy) and the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. He also completed the Harvard Law School Intensive Mediation Course.

Mr. Cranston is a partner and co-head of the commercial litigation group at Bennett Jones LLP. His practice focuses on civil litigation, professional liability and conduct matters, administrative and public law. He also acts as a mediator and arbitrator.

Mr. Cranston has been actively involved in the legal profession and community throughout his career. He has chaired a number of boards including the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, the University of Alberta Faculty of Law Alumni Association, the Child and Adolescent Services Association, the University Hospital Foundation and the CBA National Committee on Judges Salaries and Pensions. He has taught various courses through the Bar Admission program and the Legal Education Society of Alberta, including Ethics and the Legal Profession, and was a member of the Pro Bono Law Alberta Board. Mr. Cranston joined the Board in 2015.

President-Elect

Calgary Police Service
5111 – 47th Street NE
Calgary, Alberta T3J 3R2

Mr. Armstrong was born and raised in Edmonton and currently resides in Calgary. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Alberta in 1995. In 1998 he graduated with his Bachelor of Laws University of Calgary. Mr. Armstrong articled with the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Mr. Armstrong practiced with one of Calgary’s preeminent litigation boutique firms from 2000 – 2015 where his practice focused on employment litigation, administrative and privacy law, professional negligence defense work and commercial litigation.  During his time in private practice, Mr. Armstrong appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, numerous administrative tribunals and appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada.

In 2015 Mr. Armstrong joined the Calgary Police Service as in-house privacy counsel where he advises the organization on legal issues relating to access to information and privacy matters.  From 2010 – 2014, Mr. Armstrong taught civil procedure at the University of Calgary Law School where he was also an instructor and team lead for the Law School’s Trial Advocacy course. Mr. Armstrong also instructs students in the civil litigation portion of the Bar Admission course and has served as an Examiner for the Legal Education Society of Alberta. In June, 2017 Mr. Armstrong joined the Alberta Lawyers Insurance Exchange Advisory Board as a director. Mr. Armstrong joined the Board in 2015.

Huckvale LLP
410 6 Street South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 2C9

Mr. Anderson’s practice is based in Lethbridge, Alberta.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta and law degree from the University of Calgary.  He returned to his rural roots after law school and has been living in his home town of Magrath and practicing in the Lethbridge area.  His practice consists of agricultural transactions and finance, wills and estates, and family law disputes, including work as a mediator.

Mr. Anderson has served in many areas including the Chair of a non-profit serving individuals with developmental disabilities, Lethbridge Bar Association, Economic Development, and Scouts Canada. He has taught courses for the Lethbridge College (Business Law), Lethbridge Public Legal Education (Wills and Estates), and the Legal Education Society of Alberta (Family Law Issues). Mr. Anderson joined the Board in 2018.

Forensic Law
Suite 44, 21-10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6L 2E6

Mr. Chak received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta. He also received his LLM and Diploma in Justice Administration from Osgoode Hall Law School. He currently is on the National Council for the Canadian Bar Association as well as the National Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section.

Mr. Chak is a human rights advocate who represents many individuals and organizations who have faced human rights violations in the area of employment and public services.

Mr. Chak is an active member of the legal community (pro bono, public speaking, and mentoring young lawyers), the Arts community and his ethnic community.

Mr. Chak is an avid jurist and continues to improve his education within the law. He takes part in legal seminars, workshops and has spoken at several legal conferences. Mr. Chak joined the Board in 2015.

Cooper & Company
212, 9714 Main Street
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1T6

Ms. Flett was called to the bar in 2011 in Fort McMurray, where she continues to practice. Ms. Flett is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. She is a Partner at Cooper & Company, with a primary focus in family law. Ms. Flett has gained extensive board and governance knowledge over the years from her involvement in the legal profession and community, including the CBA Alberta Branch Executive Council, the CBA National subcommittee on judicial issues, the Law Society of Alberta Education and Credentials Committee, Pro Bono Law Alberta, the Northern Lights Health Foundation and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority. Ms. Flett joined the Board in 2018.

Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP
10150 100 St NW #600
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0P6

Mr. Hendsbee was born and raised in southern Ontario and received his Honors Bachelor of Arts (History) from the University of Western Ontario. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1993 and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1994 as well as the Northwest Territories Bar in 1997. Mr. Hendsbee is a partner at Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP, where he has practiced exclusively in plaintiff personal injury law for more than two decades.

Mr. Hendsbee has served as President of the Edmonton Bar Association and as President of the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association (ACTLA). He has volunteered his time to chair and speak at seminars for both the Legal Education Society of Alberta and ACTLA.

Mr. Hendsbee is active in his community, serving as a Board Member of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta and he chaired a golf tournament in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation for 10 years. He has also been involved in the sports community, serving as Commissioner of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference since 2006; while also having served as the President of the Alberta Climbing Association and as a Board Member of both Climbing Canada and the Paralympic Sports Association. Mr. Hendsbee joined the Board in 2018.

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
2400, 525 – 8 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 1G1

Mr. Johnson was born and raised in Calgary and attended the University of Alberta where he graduated with his Bachelor of Laws. He is currently counsel with Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLP where he has been for over 40 years. Mr. Johnson has chaired and served on the Board of Directors of Vertigo Theatre and has also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way, the Springbank Community Planning Association and the Doorway (Moving People off the Street). Mr. Johnson has been named in the Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Natural Resources Law annually since 2008, in the area of Project Finance Law annually since 2012 and in the area of Banking & Finance Law annually since 2013. He has chaired the South Alberta Real Estate Subsection of the CBA and was Chair, South Alberta, for the Joint Legislative Review Committee of Law Society of Alberta and Canadian Bar Association, Mr. Johnson also taught law at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, has instructed in the Bar Admission Course and currently instructs in the Professional Responsibility section of CPLED. Mr. Johnson joined the Board in 2013.

Long Family Law Group
201, 9333 47 Street
Edmonton, AB T6B 2R7

Ms. Long was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, the granddaughter of Alberta homesteaders. She served in the Canadian Forces for over a decade until attending the University of Alberta and graduating with a law degree in 1985. She was admitted to the Bar of the Law Society of Alberta the following year. Ms. Long has worked in the family law area for 29 years, founding a family law firm in 2004 which has evolved to a small firm partnership. She provides services primarily in collaborative family law and family mediation, as well as acting as an Arbitrator of family law disputes. She continues to be an active mentor to junior lawyers.

Ms. Long is a Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer, a Registered Family Mediator and an Arbitrator, having completed the Certificate program in Arbitration through the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. She has served on the Boards of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society and the Alberta Family Mediation Society, has Chaired the ADR section of the Northern Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and has over four decades serving in a volunteer capacity with many other organizations. Most recently she has served as Co-Chair of the Association of Collaborative Professionals (Edmonton). Ms. Long joined the Board in 2018.

Dartnell Lutz
607, 888 4 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0V2

Mr. Lutz was born and raised in Calgary.  He received his Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University and his law degree from the University of Wales.  Mr. Lutz works at Dartnell Lutz, where he practices criminal law and represents individuals in front of disciplinary boards.  He is a Past President of the Calgary Bar Association and has lectured at the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology as a member of the Calgary Bar Association, Criminal Trial Lawyers Association and Criminal Defence Lawyers Association. Mr. Lutz joined the Board in 2018.

Warren Sinclair LLP
600, 4911 51 Street
Red Deer, AB T4N 6V4

Mr. Melnyk was born and raised in Edmonton where he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985. After completing his law degree in 1990 at the University of Alberta, Mr. Melnyk began practicing law in Red Deer, and has been an active member of the bar since 1991. He is currently a partner with the law firm of Warren Sinclair LLP.

In 2017, Mr. Melnyk was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch).  In 2010, he was awarded the Prism Award for outstanding commitment to pro bono legal services in central Alberta. He is a current member of the Family Law Rules Advisory Committee. In addition, Mr. Melnyk has been a chair and presenter at Legal Education Society of Alberta conferences dealing with family law.

Mr. Melnyk has also been an active member of the community where he has been the Run Director for the CIBC Run for the Cure, Canadian Cancer Society since 2016. He is also a past board member with the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Red Deer and an ongoing volunteer with the Festival of Trees (fundraiser for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation). Mr. Melnyk joined the Board in 2018.

MLT Aikins LLP
#2200, 10235 – 101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3G1

Mr. Pavlic was born and raised in Edmonton and received both his Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta. He practises at MLT Aikins LLP in Edmonton with a focus on Labour and Employment Law and has made numerous appearances before the Court of Appeal, Court of Queen’s Bench, administrative tribunals and arbitrators. Mr. Pavlic is a frequent speaker and presenter of papers on Labour and Employment topics at several provincial, national and international conferences.  He is a Board Member of the Legal Education Society of Alberta and has actively participated in numerous legal and community organizations. He is also a past President of the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch. Mr. Pavlic previously served on the Board 2013 – 2015 and became a Board Member again in 2017.

Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP
Suite 800 Lancaster Building
304-8 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 1C2

Ms. Petriuk was born and raised in Calgary. She received her BA from Queen’s University in 1991, her LLB from the University of Calgary in 1996 and her LLM from the University of Cambridge in 2001. Ms. Petriuk is a partner at JSS Barristers, a civil litigation boutique, where she was the Managing Partner from 2015 to 2017.  Her practice focuses exclusively in civil litigation, with an emphasis on professional negligence defence work and commercial litigation.  Ms. Petriuk is active in her community and has been a member of the board of directors of the Calgary Arts Development Authority since 2014.  She has presented at numerous seminars in Calgary and Edmonton on diverse civil litigation topics including e-trials, e-discovery, drafting pleadings and the Rules of Court. Ms. Petriuk joined the Board in 2018.

Mr. Philp joined the Board in 2018 after a career that included an administrative and labour law practice. As part of his administrative law practice, he provided counsel to First Nation and Metis communities. Mr. Philp has a significant adjudication background experience, including labour and human rights tribunals, and professional discipline proceedings.  His litigation experience has seen him appear before all level of courts including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. Philp was a Judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta for nearly 10 years and most recently served as the Chief Commissioner of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. He is a frequent lecturer at the University of Alberta Law School and is very active as a mentor to law students and young lawyers.

DLA Piper LLP
1201 Scotia Tower 2
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4E5

Ms. Ryan was born and raised in Edmonton. She attended the University of Alberta where she received her Bachelor of Laws in 1991. She was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1992. Kathleen is a litigation partner at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Edmonton.  Ms. Ryan practices primarily in consumer and injury litigation, professional negligence, employment litigation, and commercial litigation. Kathleen has been recognized twice by Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation)  and she has twice been recognized by Lexpert as a Leading Practitioner in Canada (Personal Injury Litigation). Ms. Ryan was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 for 2013. Ms. Ryan was elected to the Board in the 2011, 2014 and 2017 Board Elections. She is a board member of the St. Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild (and a past President) and the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association (and a past President). She is the current President of the Edmonton Ringette Club.  Ms. Ryan co-chaired the Creating Safe Space Anti-Bullying Breakfast from 2010 through 2013. Ms. Ryan has been a presenter at numerous legal seminars and a guest lecturer at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in Professional Responsibility (Ethics in Negotiations). She has frequently taught or evaluated the CPLED course in Negotiations between 2001 and 2017.

Dentons Canada LLP
2900 Manulife Place
10180-101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3V5

Ms. Scott was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She studied economics in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta from 1978-1981 and obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1984. She is a partner in the Edmonton office of Dentons Canada LLP and practices in the areas of commercial law, real estate and lending.. Darlene has been an instructor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and Faculty of Extension, at Legal Education Society of Alberta Bar Admission Courses and as a panelist and chair at numerous Legal Education Society of Alberta conferences. From 2009 – 2014, she has acted as a director and Secretary of Little Warriors, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of childhood sexual abuse. She is currently the Law Society’s designate on the board of the Alberta Law Foundation and serves as Vice-Chair of Conduct and Chair of the Real Estate Practice Advisory Committee. Ms. Scott became a Board Member in 2014. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Law Society since 2015.

Alberta Securities Commission
#600, 250 5 Street
Calgary, AB T2P 0R4

Ms. Steblyk was called to the Alberta Bar in 1999, and she has practised law in Calgary ever since. She received her law degree from the University of Alberta in 1998 (With Distinction), after completion of her undergraduate degree in English (First Class Honours) at the University of Calgary.

After 10 years in private practice as a civil litigator, Ms. Steblyk accepted a position as litigation counsel for the Alberta Securities Commission, where she prosecuted breaches of the Alberta Securities Act before the Commission and the Provincial Court of Alberta (Criminal Division). In 2017 she moved to the Office of the Vice-Chairs of the Alberta Securities Commission, where she assists Commission adjudicators with legal research, preparation of oral and written decisions, and policy matters.

Ms. Steblyk has always had a strong interest in public service, and has worked in a wide variety of volunteer capacities. She is the Chair of the Legal Aid Alberta Board of Directors, a director and Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Humane Society, Past President of the Association of Women Lawyers, Past Chair of the CBA Alberta’s Civil Litigation subsection (south), and a regular guest instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Since 2003, she has served on several Law Society committees, including Conduct, Finance, Credentials and Education, and the 100th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee.

Ms. Steblyk joined the Board in 2018.

Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey
300 Transalta Place
10150 – 100th Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 0P6

Mr. Teskey was born and raised in Edmonton and received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta. Mr. Teskey practices exclusively in the area of criminal defence law and has significant experience defending against regulatory and professional discipline allegations.

Outside the practice of law, Mr. Teskey serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy, support and housing for Albertans suffering from schizophrenia.

Mr. Teskey joined the Board in 2015.

Justice and Solicitor General (AB), Dept. of
Constitutional Law, 4th Flr., Bowker Bldg.
9833-109 St.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S8

Ms. Unsworth was born and raised in Edmonton where she received her Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta.

She is the Director of Constitutional Law with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. As a legal advisor to the Government of Alberta for the past 30 years, her practice covers a wide range of constitutional and human rights questions from division of powers issues to Charter rights and constitutional conventions. Ms. Unsworth is an experienced litigator who has represented the Attorney General of Alberta at all levels of Alberta Courts and has appeared numerous times before the Supreme Court of Canada, most recently as lead counsel for Alberta on the Senate Reference.

Ms. Unsworth has served on the Executive of the Civil Litigation and Constitutional Law sections of the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch) and continues to speak at CBA sections. In addition, she is actively involved with the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, assisting in the mooting program and speaking on an ad hoc basis.

Ms. Unsworth has received numerous awards for work on team projects within Alberta, on intergovernmental projects, like the incorporation of Banff, and has been recognized for her dedication to the future of the profession through her work as mentor and coach. Ms. Unsworth joined the Board in 2016.

Gowling WLG
#1600, 421 7 Avenue
Calgary, AB T2P 4K9

Mr. Warren was called to the Bar in 1986. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Calgary. He also completed the Harvard Mediation Workshop in 2000.

Mr. Warren is a Partner at Gowling WLG, where he practises in the area of commercial dispute resolution with a focus on shareholder disputes, professional liability defence, executive employment law and mediation. He is recognized by Best Lawyers and Lexpert in Corporate Commercial Litigation and by Best Lawyers in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mr. Warren served as the managing partner of Gowling WLG’s Calgary office for nine years, stepping down in 2016. He has practised with one firm for his entire career.

He is an active member of his community and profession. He served on the Board of the Calgary Urban Project Society from 2010 – 2017, served on numerous Law Society of Alberta committees continuously since 1993 and has regularly lectured in the CPLED program.

Mr. Warren joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2018.

Liberty Law
300, 10110 – 107 Street
Edmonton, AB TFJ 1J4

Mr. Whitling is a criminal appellate lawyer who has practiced law in Edmonton since 2000. Upon his graduation from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1997, he was awarded the Horace Harvey Gold Medal in Law, and then obtained his LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School in 1998. In 1999-2000, Mr. Whitling served as a law clerk to the Hon. Mr. Justice John Major of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. Whitling has appeared before the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, as well as the Federal Court of Appeal, and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on more than 10 occasions. He has been awarded several awards and honours, including the National Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award (2008), The Harradence Prize, and the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence (2011). Mr. Whitling joined the Board in 2018.

Mr. Buick was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He received his B.A. from Queen’s University, in Ontario. He served in a variety of roles with the federal and provincial governments, including as Canada’s Ambassador to Chile (1978-82), Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta  Culture, and Executive Director, Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

At present, Mr. Buick is also a member of the Public Members Roster of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta. Glen has served on several Boards, including the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards, the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, and CKUA Radio. Mr. Buick is a recipient of an Alberta Centennial Medal, and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Mr. Buick was appointed to the Board in 2014.

Mr. Dunster was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and attended the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Arts. He was a senior executive with the provincial government for nearly thirty years, including working in the departments of Attorney General, Solicitor General and Justice. Following his retirement in 2005, Mr. Dunster served on the Edmonton Police Commission, the Board of the Canadian Association of Police Boards and the Board of the Edmonton Council for Safe Communities. Mr. Dunster was appointed to the Board in 2014.

Ms. Umar was born and raised in Lebanon and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Social Science. She then went on to receive her Master of Arts in Political Science at the American University of Beirut. Ms. Umar has worked for both the not for profit and the public sector, including the United Nations as a field researcher, the Calgary Police Services as a Consultant/Facilitator and the Department of Canadian Heritage as a Program Officer. She is very involved in her community and is on the board of countless affiliations including but not limited to: the Calgary Immigrant Access Fund, U of C Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and Calgary Regional Immigrant Employment Council. Ms. Umar’s community service contributions have been recognized with the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for community service, the Canada 125 Anniversary Award for community work, the Alberta Centennial Award, and the Haider Dhanani Achievement Award for outstanding service in developing programs that serve newcomers and their community. Ms. Umar was appointed to the Board in 2010 and 2014.

Ms. Wasylenko received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 1980, and her Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 1989. Ms. Wasylenko has extensive experience working in legal and regulatory environments, both professionally and as a board member, advising and educating on the need for commitment to professional standards and codes of conduct, adjudication and strategies for remediation.

She has played senior management roles at Bennett Jones, KPMG, and several major health care organizations and municipalities, responsible for the analysis and management of financial processes, risk management and compliance activities. Ms. Wasylenko is semi-retired and contributes her financial expertise to several non-profit organizations. Ms. Wasylenko was appointed to the Board in 2015.