Sony Ahluwalia 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.

Ryan Anderson’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.

Grace Brittain resides in Medicine Hat. She is a registered nurse (RN) of 42 years with an extensive background in health care management, education, and administrative justice. She has served for over 20 years on many boards, commissions, and tribunals dealing with health, professional conduct, social care and long-term disability. Ms. Brittain is currently a hearing chair with the Appeals Commission for Alberta Worker’s Compensation. She is also a hearing tribunal member for the College and Association of Registered Nurses. In addition to her RN designation, she has completed certificate programs in Health Administration and Forensics. Grace, together with her husband David, enjoy golf and their two dogs.

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.

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 is currently 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.

Donald Cranston is a former Bencher and past-President of the Law Society of Alberta. 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 retired as partner at Bennett Jones LLP. He is now a part-time mediator and arbitrator. He 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 (LESA), the Alberta Law Reform Institute, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, the University of Alberta Faculty of Law Alumni Association, the Child and Adolescent Services Association, the Canadian Bar Association National Committee on Judges Salaries and Pensions, the University Hospital Foundation, and the Alberta Hospital Edmonton. He has taught various courses for the bar admission program and LESA, including ethics and the legal profession, and was a member of the Pro Bono Law Alberta Board.

Lou 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.

Ms. Edmunds resides in St. Albert and is currently the Director of Employee and Labour Relations at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). In this role, she is the spokesperson for NAIT and responsible for the negotiation of both the academic and non-academic collective agreements. Determining labour relations strategy for both NAIT and grievance arbitration hearings are also part of her responsibilities. She has previously worked as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta. In that role, she acted as a labour relations advisor at arbitration hearings, and represented members’ interests in investigation and professional association hearings. She has also acted as a union nominee on three-person arbitration boards. Ms. Edmunds has completed the Foundation of Administrative Justice’s administrative law and decision writing courses and has taken several arbitration and mediation courses.

Ted 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.

Corie Flett 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.

Bill Hendsbee 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 more than two decades.

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.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Kene 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 moving on to his current role as legal counsel with Parkland Corporation.

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.

Mr. Jensen is one of the founding partners of JSS Barristers. His practice focuses exclusively on civil litigation, with an emphasis on corporate and commercial litigation including commercial class actions, oil and gas disputes, shareholder disputes, multiparty litigation and arbitrations. Mr. Jensen has represented governments, airlines, major and independent oil and gas firms, and individuals, and he does professional negligence defence work.

From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Jensen acted as senior legal officer and team leader at the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr. Jensen is a former Bencher and past-President of the Law Society of Alberta. In 2013, he became a fellow of the London based Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Cal 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.

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.

Alan is a professional Biologist, Agrologist and an Environmental Scientist practising in Alberta. He worked in the oil and gas industry for over 35 years prior to retirement. He previously has been a panel member with the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board for 10 years and in his role was on over 46 hearings and has written decision reports under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the Water Act, and the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act. Dr. Kennedy previously served as President of the Alberta Society of the Professional Biologists. He is also Past Chair, Advisory Committee, Mount Royal University, Institute for Environmental Sustainability.

Alan is currently a faculty member at the University of Calgary, Sustainable Energy Development MSc Program, in the School of Public Policy.

Ms. Kloberdanz is a Calgary-based registered arbitrator, parenting coordinator, family mediator and social worker. She is the sole proprietor of Kloberdanz & Associates Mediation where she provides family mediation, arbitration and parenting coordinator services. She sits as a mediator for the Alberta Dispute Resolution Services Roster and has for over 10 years. Ms. Kloberdanz sits as an arbitrator for the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan and as a Commissionaire for the Alberta Appeals Board. She is an active member with Alberta Family Mediation Society and in addition acts in the capacity of the Registrar. Past sittings include the Provincial Court Civil Mediation Roster, the Alberta Police Complaint Mediation Roster, Commissionaire for the Alberta Review Board and the Alberta Ministry of Human Services for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, and Income and Employment Supports.

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.

Jim 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. 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.

Ms. Maj is a St. Albert-based lawyer and was called to the Alberta bar in 1994. She has been employed by the Federal Department of Justice since 2003, where she acts as senior counsel on litigation files involving various government departments. Ms. Maj handles matters before the Court of King’s Bench, Court of Appeal, Federal Court, administrative tribunals, and also acts as a mediator. She has also undertaken assignments as Team Leader and Deputy Director. Ms. Maj was previously a practitioner for 10 years with Davis LLP in Edmonton, regularly instructs at the bar course, and has served on the Law Society of Alberta’s Credentials and Education Committee.

Mr. Mannas is a Calgary-based Certified General Accountant (CGA) and Chartered Director (CDir). He is the President and Director of Golden Prairie Energy Ltd., a private oil and gas company. He currently sits as a Chair of the Discipline Roster Tribunal of the Certified General Accountants’ Association of Alberta (CGAAA) where he hears allegations of unprofessional conduct relating to decertification of members and student appeals. He was previously a member of the Member Services Advisory and Education Advisory Committees with CGAAA.

He is a Fellow of the Certified General Accountants of Canada (FCGA) and Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (FCPA).

Barbara McKinley is the owner of The Worker’s Advocate, where she has worked as an advocate and appeals representative for over 20 years. She has extensive experience interpreting and applying legislation and policy in order to participate in appeal hearings, prepare written arguments and facilitate communication between individuals, unions and the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB).

Barbara served two years as a member on the Alberta Federation of Labour Committee on WCB and Health and Safety, the Technical Working Group on Occupational Health and Safety Code, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Disability Appeals Panel, and as Chair for the Alberta Labour Coalition on Worker’s Compensation.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and French and a Bachelor of Music degree both from the University of Alberta.

Barbara was a public representative Bencher from 2018 to 2022.

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.

Martha Miller is an Edmonton-based human resources (HR) professional with extensive background in organizational systems and processes. Early in her career, Ms. Miller was a labour relations officer with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. Previous appointments include serving as Director, HR with the Alberta Cancer Board. As Director, Ms. Miller was involved extensively in collective bargaining and negotiated three collective agreements. Prior to her retirement in 2011, she was the Manager of HR at Alberta Health Services. She has been a member of Administrative Tribunals since 2013 and has completed certificates in Tribunal Administrative Justice as Tribunal Member and Administrator with the Foundation of Administrative Justice. She also served as the Director for the Foundation.

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.

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. Mr. Parmar was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2011. After working at law firms and with Alberta Justice, Mr. Parmar founded Parmar Law in 2016. He practises in various areas and is a mediator, holding mediation designations.

Mr. Parmar 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.

Mr. Parmar joined the Board in 2021.

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, the Court of King’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 from 2013 – 2015 and became a Board member again in 2017.

Ms. Petersen was born in Calgary, raised in Lethbridge and educated at the Universities of Lethbridge and Alberta where she graduated first with a Bachelor of Science followed by a Bachelor of Laws in 1987. She has supplemented her interest in alternative dispute resolution with many courses including the Harvard Law School Intensive Mediation Course.

Ms. Petersen articled with a small firm in Lethbridge then returned to Edmonton where she practiced with a large international firm, a mid-sized litigation boutique and, since 2017, has pursued a litigation practice with Kingsgate Legal focusing on professional liability and specialty liability claims.

Community service and involvement in the legal profession have been integral to Ms. Petersen’s career. She has contributed to the profession as a Bencher from 2017-2018, as a member of a number of Law Society committees, and as a speaker at the Legal Education Society of Alberta, CBA, and other professional seminars. She has also served on not for profit boards including Terra Centre, an organization that provides education, parenting, and housing supports for teen parents. Ms. Petersen re-joined the Board in 2019.

For the past 19 years, Sandra 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).

Stacy 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.

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.

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 significant adjudication background experience, including labour and human rights tribunals, and professional discipline proceedings. His litigation experience has seen him appear before all levels of court 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.

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.

Kathleen Ryan, KC, was born and raised in Edmonton. She received her Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in 1988 and her Bachelor of Laws in 1991, both from the University of Alberta. She was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1992.

She is a litigation partner at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Edmonton. She practices in a number of litigation fields including consumer and injury litigation, professional negligence, employment litigation, and commercial litigation. Since 2016, she has been recognized annually by Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation). She has twice been recognized by Lexpert as a Leading Practitioner in Canada (Personal Injury Litigation).

Kathleen received her King’s Counsel (KC) designation in 2012. She was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and served on the Law Society of Alberta Board for nine years. Ms. Ryan was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 for 2013, was a WILL award recipient (Women in Law Leadership – broader roles) in 2017, and received the ACTLA President’s Award in 2019. Ms. Ryan has been a director of the Alberta Law Reform Institute since 2019, She is a board member of the St. Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild (and a past President) and the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association, ex officio (and a past President). She was the President of the Edmonton Ringette Club from 2013 to 2017. Ms. Ryan co-chaired the Creating Safe Spaces Anti-Bullying breakfast from 2010 through 2013. Ms. Ryan has been a presenter at numerous legal seminars and was guest lecturer at the University of Alberta in Professional Responsibility (Ethics in Negotiations). She has frequently taught or evaluated the CPLED course in Negotiations from 2001 through 2018. Ms. Ryan is the Chair of the Law Society of Alberta Equity Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Lawyer Competence Advisory Committee. She also continues her service to the Law Society as a Non-Bencher Adjudicator.

Darlene 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 senior partner in the Edmonton office of Dentons Canada LLP and practises in the areas of commercial law, real estate and lending. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in corporate law, real estate and financial services.

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 has been a panelist and chair at numerous Legal Education Society of Alberta conferences. From 2009–2014, she acted as a Director and Secretary of Little Warriors, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of childhood sexual abuse.

Darlene served as the Chair of the Alberta Law Foundation and as Chair of the Law Society’s Conduct, Credentials and Education, and Real Estate Practice Advisory Committees. Darlene served on the Nominating Committee in 2017 and has served on the Executive Committee of the Law Society since 2015.

Darlene has chaired Policy, Audit & Finance and she is currently serving as President. She currently serves on the board of KV Mortgage Fund Inc. and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta.

Darlene joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2014.

Ron 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.

Deanna 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, 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 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.

Deanna joined the Board in 2018.

Margaret 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. 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.

Moira 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.

Grant 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.

Ken 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.

Ken 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. Ken 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.

Ken joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2018.

Louise Wasylenko 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.

Ms. Workun is an Edmonton-based lawyer and was called to the Alberta bar in 1996. She has extensive experience both in-house and in private practice primarily in the area of technology law and commercial transactions related to technology. She has served as a member of the Professional Responsibility Committee, the Credentials and Education Committee, and the Corporate Commercial Advisory Committee of the Law Society of Alberta.

Ms. Workun is active in the community and additional board memberships have included the Community Services Advisory Board and Family and Community Support Services Committee for the City of Edmonton, where she served as Chair on the Family and Community Support Services Committee for three years. Ms. Workun was also appointed to the Board of Directors for Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) where she served as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.

Mr. Young was born and raised in Calgary and attended the University of Calgary where he received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor. Subsequently, he attended Osgoode Hall Law School at York University where he obtained his Master of Laws. Mr. Young currently works as a family lawyer at Sugimoto & Company. Tony Young is a former Bencher and past-President of the Law Society of Alberta, past Chair of Alberta Law Foundation and has served in many capacities at the Canadian Bar Association including the editorial committee of Law Matters, South Section Coordinator, Chair of each of the Civil Litigation Section, the Technology Section and the Young Lawyers Section.

He continues to serve as Co-Convenor of the Reforming Family Justice System Initiative, President of Aspire (the University of Calgary Family Law Incubator), and Director of the Alberta Law Libraries. Mr. Young has contributed to the profession through organizations such as the University of Calgary, the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education and the Legal Education Society of Alberta.

Ike is a Calgary-based executive with a background in finance, governance and advocacy initiatives. His previous experience has been focused on real estate and tax issues, in his roles as a director with a North American transportation icon and an international consulting firm. He has served extensively on quasi-judicial boards; he currently sits on the Alberta Municipal Government Board where he chairs hearings and authors decisions on behalf of the panels and as a member of the Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. Previous appointments include serving as a Hearing Chair for the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation (WCB) and on the Alberta Public Health Appeal Board.

Ike has also served as President to the Canadian Property Tax Association and National (US) Rail Property Tax Association, and is in the process of completing the Foundation of Administrative Justice Certificate Program.