President

Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP
600 —10150 100 St. N.W.
Edmonton, Alta T5J 0P6

Bill Hendsbee, KC was born and raised in southern Ontario and received his Honours 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. Bill is a partner at Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP, where he has practised exclusively in plaintiff personal injury law for almost 30 years.

Bill 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.

Bill 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.

Bill joined the Board in 2018.

President-Elect

Alberta Securities Commission
600 — 250 5 St. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 0R4

Deanna Steblyk, KC 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, Deanna 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.

Deanna has always had a strong interest in public service, and has worked in a wide variety of volunteer capacities. She is a past Chair of the Legal Aid Alberta Board of Directors, past Chair of the Calgary Humane Society Board of Directors, 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 2004, she has served on several Law Society committees, including Conduct, Finance, Credentials and Education, and Lawyer Competence.

Deanna joined the Board in 2018.

Crown Prosecutor’s Office
6th Floor S.
10365 97 St.
Edmonton, Alta T5J 3W7

Sony Ahluwalia, KC was born and raised in Uganda and later in London, England, completing his LLB in Canada. For the last 12 years, he has worked as a Crown prosecutor with the provincial government and currently as an Assistant Chief Crown prosecutor with Alberta Justice in Edmonton. In addition to the in-house training, courses through the Law Society and training through Osgoode Professional, Sony completed his LLM at Osgoode in Criminal Law and Procedure.

Sony has mentored Criminology programme students from the University of Alberta and presented to volunteers at victim services and sexual assault centres dealing with sexual violence. Sony presents to high school classes on the issue of consent in sexual assault. He has worked with members of his faith community to serve at inner city shelters and served as an electoral officer at his Gurdwara.

Huckvale LLP
410 6 St. S.
Lethbridge, Alta T1J 2C9

Ryan Anderson, KC’s practice is based in Lethbridge. 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 practising in the Lethbridge area. His practice consists of agricultural transactions and finance, wills and estates, and family law disputes, including work as a mediator.

Ryan 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). Ryan joined the Board in 2018.

Glen Buick is a public representative Bencher. He was formerly the Canadian Ambassador to Chile, and later, Assistant Deputy Minister in Alberta Culture. He is a member of the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board, the Assessment Review Board of the City of Edmonton and the Tribunal Roster of Public Members under the Health Professions Act. He previously served as a member of the Law Society Board from 2014–2018.

Glen has also served on boards of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation, CKUA Radio and the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, and (as Ministerial representative) on the boards of Access Alberta and the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts.

He received the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Glen rejoined the Board in 2022.

Torys LLP
4600 Eight Avenue Place E.
525 8 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Ata T2P 1G1

Lou Cusano, KC is a 1986 graduate of the University of Calgary and was called to the Alberta bar in 1987. He is managing partner of the Calgary office of Torys LLP and received his King’s Counsel designation in 2020.

As regulatory and environmental counsel and a commercial litigator, Lou’s practice involves representing clients before administrative tribunals and the courts.

Lou is dedicated to the mentoring and coaching of young lawyers as they navigate their career paths. He has been an instructor in civil procedure, advocacy and trial preparation for the Law Society of Alberta Bar Admission course, a member of the Law Society of Alberta Civil Practice Advisory Committee and the Sub-Committee on Discovery Reform and lectured on behalf of the Legal Education Society of Alberta. Lou is a member of the Energy Bar Association (Canada) and sits on the Organizing Committee for the Energy Regulatory Forum.

Duncan Craig LLP
2800 Scotia Place
10060 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alta T5J 3V9

Ted Feehan, KC graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Major: Political Science) in 1985 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1988. He articled at Bennett Jones and was called to the Alberta bar in 1989. Ted continued to work at Bennett Jones until June 1998, when he joined Duncan and Craig LLP, where he is a partner. Over the past 31 years, he has practised in all areas of general and commercial litigation.

Ted has lectured at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension; Legal Education Society of Alberta; Law Society of Alberta Bar Admission Course (guest lecturer); Canadian Bar Association Mid-Winter Meetings; Canadian Bar Association Subsections; Canadian Defence Lawyers; University of Windsor Law School and to private industry.

Ted is a former member of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Board of Ethics, the St. Stephen’s College Ethics Review Board and the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild. He sits on the board of the Edmonton People in Need Housing Society and the Frank J Flaman Charity Board.

Muessle Flett Law LLP
201 — 112 Riverstone Ridge
Fort McMurray, Alta T9K 1S6

Corie Flett, KC was called to the bar in 2011 in Fort McMurray, where she continues to practise. Corie is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. She is a founding partner at Muessle Flett Law LLP, with a primary focus in family law.

Corie 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 Credentials and Education Committee, Pro Bono Law Alberta, the Northern Lights Health Foundation and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority.

Corie joined the Board in 2018.

Woodfibre LNG Limited
c/o Pacific Canbriam Energy
2100 — 215 2 St. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 4H4

Born and raised in Nigeria, Kene Ilochonwu, KC obtained his law degree from Abia State University in 1997 and licensure from the Nigerian Law School Abuja in 2000. He went on to obtain a Master of Laws degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde Glasgow, Scotland in 2004.

Kene relocated to Canada and completed his composite articles at DLA Piper Canada and Imperial Oil. He then joined Blake, Cassels and Graydon as an Associate in 2017, before becoming legal counsel with Parkland Corporation. He is now Senior Legal Counsel at Woodfibre LNG.

Kene served on the Law Society of Alberta’s Bencher Election Task Force and he volunteers at the Civil Claims Duty Counsel Project with Pro Bono Law Alberta. He serves as a mentor to law students through the Canadian Bar Association mentor program, and to internationally trained lawyers in Calgary through Global Lawyers of Canada. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Global Lawyers of Canada, Calgary Black Chambers and Our Saviour Anglican Church.

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
2400 — 525 8 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 1G1

Cal Johnson, KC 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.

Cal 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).

He 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.

Cal 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.

Cal joined the Board in 2013.

Levonne Louie is a public representative Bencher. She holds a Bachelor of Science (1977), a Bachelor of Commerce (1979), and a Master of Business Administration (1982), all from the University of Calgary. A graduate of the Directors Education Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Levonne was granted the ICD.D designation in 2011.

Levonne retired from the oil and gas industry with almost 40 years of experience in the energy sector. She brings considerable leadership experience to her roles on the boards on which she serves.

Levonne has been serving as a Public Member on the Council of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (“CPSA”) since 2017. Her roles include chairing the Governance Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee and the Strategic Planning Working Group. She also serves on numerous other Council committees. She enjoys applying her skillset and her external perspective to help the CPSA protect the public interest and guide the medical profession.

Her past board experience spans a number of diverse boards including the Calgary Convention Centre Authority, Alberta Theatre Projects, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen, and numerous community sports organizations.

Levonne was appointed to the Board in 2022.

Dartnell Lutz
607 — 888 4 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 0V2

Jim Lutz, KC 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. Jim works at Dartnell Lutz, where he practises 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.

Jim joined the Board in 2018.

Warren Sinclair LLP
600 — 4911 51 St.
Red Deer, Alta T4N 6V4

Bud Melnyk, KC 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, Bud began practising 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, Bud 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, Bud has been a chair and presenter at Legal Education Society of Alberta conferences dealing with family law.

Bud 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).

Bud joined the Board in 2018.

Sharilyn C. Nagina, KC, was called to the Alberta bar in 2003. She received a Master of Laws (Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law) from the University of Calgary, a Juris Doctor from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts (English and Psychology) from the University of Alberta. She also has a Certificate in Interpersonal Conflict Resolution from the predecessor to the ADR Institute of Alberta.

Sharilyn is a retired commercial litigator and practised for over 20 years, most recently with DLA Piper (Canada) LLP. Sharilyn is currently the Chair of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act Appeal Tribunal, a Director of Women in Law Leadership, and an active volunteer with other non-profit organizations.

Sharilyn has advised or served on boards of directors and committees of non-profit organizations. Sharilyn’s committee experience includes governance, nominations, executive recruitment, capital campaign and stakeholder engagement. She has served as Board Chair, Corporate Secretary and Committee Chair.

Sharilyn is the past Chair of Vivo for Healthier Generations Society, past Vice-Chair of the Calgary Crime Stoppers Association, past Chair of the CBA Young Lawyers Subsection (South) and a past director of the Association of Women Lawyers.

Sharilyn joined the Board in 2023.

Mary Ellen Neilson was Executive Director at the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured until her retirement in 2020. Prior to this, Mary Ellen had a successful 30-year career in financial services, where she held senior executive positions for Western Canada operations. She has served on and chaired various boards, committees and organizations. Mary Ellen is currently a Director on the Board of ATB Financial and chairs the Risk Committee. Most recently, she was on the Board of Governors for the University of Calgary and chaired the Finance and Property Committee.

Mary Ellen has her BCom from the University of Calgary, her MBA from York University, her CPA, CMA from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta, and her ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Parmar Law
300 — 404 6 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 0R9

Sanjiv Parmar was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He received his Bachelor of Arts (minor in Management and Society) in 2005, Bachelor of Commerce in 2007, and Juris Doctor in 2010 from the University of Calgary. Sanjiv was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2011. After working at law firms and with Alberta Justice, Sanjiv founded Parmar Law in 2016. He practises in various areas and is a mediator, holding mediation designations.

Sanjiv is active in the community and volunteers with numerous community and legal organizations, as well as with post-secondary institutions. He speaks on various topics, including domestic violence, family law, child welfare, mediations, protection orders, networking, stress management, diversity, anti-racism, harassment and access to justice.

Sanjiv joined the Board in 2021.

Alberta Law Reform Institute
402 Law Centre
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alta T6G 2H5

For the past 19 years, Sandra Petersson, KC has worked at the Alberta Law Reform Institute – first as legal counsel, then research manager and now Executive Director. Sandra is passionate about developing policy solutions so that the law keeps pace with societal change. Before moving to law reform, she was a tenured academic in New Zealand where she taught statutory interpretation, legislative drafting, torts and jurisprudence. Since returning to Canada, Sandra has facilitated professional law reform training for lawyers across Canada and delivered dedicated seminars to lawyers from South Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago. Sandra holds an MBA and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors Not for Profit program.

Sandra’s professional experience includes service on: the Legal Education Society of Alberta, Board of Directors (2014–20); Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch Council (2012–19); CBA Alberta Governance Review Task Force (2017–18); Federation of Law Reform Agencies of Canada, President (2014–17); Uniform Law Conference of Canada, Alberta delegate (2007–present); Uniform Interpretation Act Working Committee (2011–14); and the Uniform Wills Act Working Committee (2010–13).

Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP
Suite 800 Lancaster Building
304 8 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 1C2

Stacy Petriuk, KC 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.

Stacy 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.

She is active in her community and was a member of the board of directors of the Calgary Arts Development Authority from 2014 to 2020. 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.

Stacy joined the Board in 2018.

Erin Runnalls was born in Calgary and lived in five countries on four different continents before returning to Calgary to start her legal career. Erin received her Honours Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from King’s University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Toronto. Erin was called to the Alberta bar in 2008 following her Clerkship at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench in Edmonton. In 2021, Erin was also called to the Northwest Territories bar.

Erin is a civil litigation Partner at Gowling WLG, where her practice consists of commercial litigation, health law, professional negligence, insurance, international arbitration, class actions, defamation and constitutional and media law. Erin was recently named one of Lexpert’s Leading Lawyers under 40.

Erin leads the Calgary pro bono programs for Gowling WLG, and received a Distinguished Service Award for her pro bono work from the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association in 2013 as well as a Pro Bono Service Award from Pro Bono Law Alberta in 2016. Erin also chairs Gowling WLG’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in Calgary. Since 2016, Erin has been an Advisory Board Member for the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, Public Interest Law Clinic. In addition, Erin is active in her community and has acted as chair on numerous not-for-profit society boards.

Since 2015, Erin has served on several Law Society of Alberta committees, including Credentials and Education, Practice Review and Conduct.

Erin joined the Board in 2023.

Witten LLP
2500 — 10303 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alta T5J 3N6

Ronald Sorokin received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (1987) and LLB (1991) from the University of Alberta. He articled and has spent his entire career with Witten LLP (formerly Witten Binder). He became a partner in 1998 and was managing partner from 2010-2020. His practice focuses on commercial real estate and commercial transactions, and he has been repeatedly recognized by both Lexpert and Best Lawyer.

Ron participates as Civil Duty counsel. He has been a panelist at several Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) courses and has chaired a number of seminars including a seminar for Advanced Commercial Real Estate at the Banff Refresher Course on Real Estate. He has been an active member of the CBA, as a current member and past chair of the Commercial Property section, as a member of the CBA Engagement Task Force, and as a past member of the Creditor Rights and Business sections.

For several years, Ron has been a weekly driver volunteer for Meals on Wheels; an active member and contributor to the YMCA; an active participant and leader contributor to the United Way; a volunteer at the Food Bank; and a supporter and participator in Habitat for Humanity builds. Throughout his professional career, he has and continues to serve as pro bono counsel and as a board member for several not-for-profit organizations and charitable foundations.

Justice and Solicitor General,
Department. of Constitutional Law,
4th Floor, Bowker Building
9833 109 St.
Edmonton, Alta T5K 2E8

Margaret Unsworth, KC 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. Margaret 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.

Margaret 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.

Margaret 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.

Margaret joined the Board in 2016.

Public Prosecution Service of Canada
700 Epcor Tower
10423 101 St.
Edmonton, AB T5H 0E7

Moira Váně received her law degree at the University of Alberta and began her career working as a prosecutor for the provincial government in rural Alberta in 2003. For the last eight years, she has worked with the federal prosecution service in Edmonton.

Moira is a founder of the New Parents’ Peer Support group with ASSIST and has volunteered with ASSIST since 2012.

Moira is excited to see that equity, diversity and inclusion are key pillars of the Law Society’s Strategic Plan.

Moira joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2021.

Lawson Lundell LLP
1100 — 225 6 Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alta T2P 1N2

Grant Vogeli, KC obtained his law degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1982 and practised in Regina until 1988. Since moving to Calgary in 1988, Grant has practised exclusively as a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer and received his King’s Counsel designation in 2013. Grant has a strong commitment to serving the legal profession. He has taught the bar course and presented at several Legal Education Society of Alberta seminars. He also does an extensive amount of pro bono work every year.

Grant spends many hours each year mentoring young lawyers and also has a strong commitment to the community. He has served on and chaired many charitable and non-profit boards including the Multiple Sclerosis Society in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, the Celtic Soccer Club and Glenmore Christian Academy. He has also been extensively involved in law firm management.

Louise Wasylenko, CPA, CMA is a public representative Bencher. She received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 1980, and her Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 1989.

Louise 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. Louise is semi-retired and contributes her financial expertise to several non-profit organizations.

Louise was appointed to the Board in 2015.