June, 2013 LESA Volunteer Appreciation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
January 1–June 30, 2013 R Volunteer Appreciation Legal Education LEGAL EDUCATION SOCIETY OF ALBERTA Society of Alberta When did you decide you wanted to be a lawyer? Tell us a bit about your practice area. Who knows? Maybe it was Perry Mason, but I wanted to be a lawyer from a very early age. I did not know what it meant to be a lawyer, but I thought I wanted to be one – and I’m very happy with the choice. I do enjoy the practice of law. I was the first one in my family to become a lawyer. However, now I have a niece, her husband, and two nephews who are lawyers. Wealth Management – Wills, Estates, and Estate Litigation, is a fascinating area. I never know from meeting to meeting, Dennis Pelkie QC phone call to phone call, the issue or fact scenario what I will be told. At times I am retained by people who have suffered Borden Ladner Gervais LLP an emotional tragedy, often the loss or incapacity of a loved one. The adage that fact can be stranger than fiction FEATURE VOLUNTEER frequently applies to my practice. I can safely say that I Dennis Pelkie QC was called to the Bar in 1977 and has rarely have a routine or mundane day. Each client brings a practised law in Edmonton and Calgary. Dennis was a challenge to my law practice. A bonus is that I have clients sessional instructor of Wills at the University of Calgary for whom I have advised for many years. They and their families three semesters, taught the Wills bar admission course for have become friends. many years and is a frequent presenter at LESA seminars. Currently, he is at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and focuses on You have been a consistent and loyal supporter of LESA Wealth Management – Wills, Estates, and Estate Litigation. since the early 1980s. What motivates you to volunteer? In 2004, Dennis was appointed Queen’s Counsel. Initially my motivation came from various mentors who encouraged me to be involved in all aspects of the legal Tell us about yourself. profession and my community. The firms where I have I was born and raised in Edmonton and am one of practiced have been very supportive of my work with LESA, eleven children. Our parents stressed the importance of recognizing, as I do, the importance of continuing legal education. They also encouraged us to become involved education. Working with the true professionals at LESA has in our community whether at school, church, politics, or made the whole experience fun and rewarding. service groups. Not only did I learn the necessity of team I enjoy working with my colleagues who are motivated and work to get family projects done, I also realized that you willing to share their knowledge. Over the years I have could learn from observing and listening to others. That developed binding friendships. Whenever I have been called being said, I did learn that at times I needed to stand up for on to give a presentation, it has afforded me the opportunity myself. Out of the eleven siblings, I have one brother and to research a specific area of the law in depth. In turn, that nine – yes, nine – sisters. knowledge helps me better advise my clients. I have chaired My first year of University was at Gonzaga University in several panels. I am always amazed that when I approach Spokane, Washington. I completed my undergrad and law the leading practitioners of various practice areas, they are school at the University of Alberta. I played hockey for the ready and willing to give of their time, energy and expertise. Gonzaga team and one of my teammates introduced me to It is a positive experience. Patti who was from Lethbridge. We Canucks stuck together. Patti and I have been married for thirty-nine years. She has What advice would you pass on to a newly called lawyer? been my constant supporter throughout my legal career. Volunteer. Give some time to our profession. As well as I articled and practised in Edmonton for a number of years. LESA, I have volunteered in the greater community. I found In 1983, Patti and I and our two children moved to Calgary. that the more involved I became, the more I enjoyed what Our grown son and daughter give me great joy as they are I was doing. With every new experience I have had the thoughtful, caring, great fun and a testament to the values opportunity to meet more people – all unique – who have my parents instilled in me. made life more interesting. Enjoy what you do. “Whenever I have been called on to give a presentation, it has afforded me the opportunity to research a specific area of the law in depth. In turn, that knowledge helps me better advise my clients.” The generous contributions of time, talent, and energy from all of our volunteers make every Legal Education Society of Alberta program and resource a great success. We appreciate the work of our volunteers and their service to the profession. Contact Dawn Ofner at [email protected] to volunteer. Visit our website at LESA.org Legal Education Society of Alberta facebook.com/lesaonline @lesaonline .......... .......... OUR VOLUNTEERS thank you Bill Aaron QC Hon. Justice B.A. Browne Patrick Fitzpatrick Tom Achtymichuk QC Laura Bruyer Steven Florendine Neena Ahluwalia QC Everett Bunnell QC James Floyd Eileen Ailon Judy Burke Rodney Fong Kristal Allen Melissa Burkett Dr. Larry Fong Laurie Allen Hon. Judge L.L. Burt Ruellen Forsyth-Nicholson Am Amelio Tannis Carlson Ronald Foster QC Salvatore Amelio Nancy Carruthers Catherine Fox Garth Anderson Dr. Stephen Carter John Frame Paule Armeneau Melanie Carter Jocelyn Frazer Rob Armstrong Aman Chak Darren Freeston Mark Asbell QC Suchetna Channan Robert Froehlich Janice Ashcroft Monique Chantler Krista Frohlich Heather Askham Gabriel Chen Lisa Gaunt Holly Aspell Leanne Cherry Mary Golab Loreen Austin Dan Chow Marie Gordon QC Michelle Bailey Jasmine Chu Leila Gosselin Lonny Balbi QC Jill Clayton Michael Greene QC Navdeep Bamrah Dr. Clinton Donna Hallett Jim Bancroft QC Jeff Coape-Arnold Lidia Handous Deborah Baradziej Renée Cochard QC Kevin Hannah Wayne Barkauskas Commissioner J. Conley Michael Harris Hon. Judge P.B. Barley Colleen Connolly Robert Harvie QC Graham Barr Steven Cooper Denise Harwardt Kevin Barr David Corrigan Makiko Hata Hon. Justice M.R. Bast David Corry QC Hon. G.C. Hawco Andrew Bateman Kathleen Cowick Denise Hendrix Michael Bates Jordan Crone Jeremy Herbert Tudor Beattie QC Wendi Crowe David Hiebert Rob Beck Sean Curran Bernette Ho Pam Bell Lee Cutforth Brendon Ho Hon. Justice R.P. Belzil Deborah Dalton Bill Hogle QC Nathan Benron Donald Dear QC Michael Hokanson John Bessemer Joshua de Groot David Holub Aaron Bickman D’Arcy DePoe Michael Hoosein Rick Billington QC Anne de Villars QC Geoff Hope Susan Billington QC Willie deWit John Hope QC Michael Birdsell Sandeep Dhir Vita Houlihan Ken Blake Hon. Judge J.L. Dixon Tina Huizinga Max Blitt Rhoda Dobler Shanna Hunka Patricia Blocksom QC, AOE Stephanie Dobson James Hutson Geoff Boddy Neil Dobson Erin Ippolito Patricia Bokenfohr Michael Dolson Warren Jennings Doris Bonora Tom Duke Parminder Johal Frank Bosscha Fulvio Durante Debbie Johnson Robert Bothwell Hon. Justice K.M. Eidsvik Ingrid Johnson Aaron Bowler Carol Ellergodt Wayne Johnson Craig Boyer Dale Ellert Dereck Jones Douglas Boyer Sheri Epp Hon. Justice C.M. Jones Judy Boyes QC Chad Evans Rupert Joshi Kelly Bray Rick Ewasiuk QC Sherry Kachur QC Adam Brener Lindsay Ewens-Jones Jeff Kahane Loreen Brenneis Sean Fairhurst Olga Kary Tracey Bristow Cathy Farnell Hon. Justice C.L. Kenny Barrie Broughton QC Karen Fawcett Kevin Keyes Judge A. Brown Brenda Fraser Jacqueline Kibsey Monica Brown Deborah Fisher Brian Kiers LESALegal Education Society of Alberta LESA.org .......... .......... OUR VOLUNTEERS thank you Sarah King-D’Souza QC Sharon Numerow Hon. Justice J. Strekaf Michael Kirk Michael O’Brien Hon. Justice W. P. Sullivan Dale Knisely Ryan O’Fee James Swanson Rob Koller Hon. Judge J.J. Ogle Prasad Taksal Renee Konotopsky Spencer Ord Desiree Tan Trevor Korsrud Marcus Ostrowerka Connie Taylor QC Bianca Kratt Krysta Ostwald Robert Thiessen FSA, FCIA Michael Kraus Don Padget Suzanne Thomas Jay Krushell Mark Paidra Mylene Tiessen John Kudrinko John Pak Dale Tumbach Gayle Langford Raylene Palichuk Cindy Turner Hon. Judge T. LaRochelle Shaun Partridge Brett Turnquist Matthew Lindsay Dennis Pelkie QC Brian Vail QC Steven London Susan Pepper Richard Van Dorp Linda Long QC Norm Picard QC Hon. Judge H.M. Van Harten Kevin Lynch Michelle Pidhirney Derek Vemette Shelley Mabbott QC Brenda Pisko Jud Virtue Ian MacDonald QC Karen Platten QC Ian Wachowicz Perry Mack QC Christine Pratt Audrey Wakeling Jeff MacKenzie Jamila Premji Brian Wallace Lois MacLean Tamara Prince Helen Ward Justine Mageau Matt Pruski Terry Warner Linda Maj Marlon Rajakaruna Ken Warren QC Gillian Marriott QC Darren Reed Sandra Weber Lucretia Martenet MIchele Reeves David Wedge Aaron Martens Theresa Reichert David Westland John Martland QC Brian Reid Jason Wilkins Tim Mavko Bruce Reid Keith Wilson Karim Mawani Philip Renaud QC Liza Wold Maureen McCartney-Cameron Rita Richardson Christopher Wolfenberg Jason McCulloch Steven Robertson Lexy Wong John McGee QC Ron Robinson Ray Wong Hon. Justice P.J. McIntyre Wendy Rollins Matthew Woodley Dino McLaughlin Jonathan Rossall QC George Wowk Jenny McMordie Jennifer Ruttan Dr. Mark Yarema Laurie McMurchie QC Adam Sanderman Marc Yu Beryl McNeill Ian Savage Debbie Yungwirth Bruce Mellett Darwin Schofer Gary Zimmerman Anne Michaud Sandra Schulz QC Carol Zukiwski Bryce Milliken Joshua Selby Susan Zwaenepoel Lynsey Mincher Salima Shivji Shaunna Mireau Tamara Shomody Peter Mitchell Bill Shores QC Karen Molle Brad Sinclair Thank you to all of our Anne Montgomery Marilyn Slawinsky Renn Moodley Anna Sledziecka Katherine Morianos Ian Smith volunteers who help Robert Mueller Jordan Smith Karen Muir Kara Smyth make each and every Lindsay Mullen Chris Sprysak Molly Naber-Sykes David Stark Legal Education Society Sharilyn Nagina Jason Stephan Hon.