December 1, 2022Back to Latest

Deanna Steblyk, KC, has been elected by the Benchers as the incoming President-Elect. Ms. Steblyk will become the seventh female President in Law Society of Alberta history. She will join Bill Hendsbee, KC, who will take over as President from Ken Warren, KC, in February for the 2023–24 term.

Ms. Steblyk earned her law degree from the University of Alberta in 1998, after completion of her undergraduate degree in English at the University of Calgary.

After 10 years in private practice as a civil litigator, Ms. Steblyk joined the Alberta Securities Commission as litigation counsel, 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 joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2018.

“Having the support and confidence of the Bencher table is a true honour. This is personally historic for me, it represents the culmination of many years of work that started quite early in my legal career,” says Ms. Steblyk. “I had plenty to do at the firm back then, but I wanted to find ways to diversify a bit and give back to the profession and the community.”

“We’ve been faced with some pretty significant problems to solve recently, including the concerning results of the articling student survey, navigating the pandemic, refining our CPD program, addressing the applicable TRC Calls to Action, transitioning internationally trained lawyers to Alberta practice, and working toward a profession that is equitable, diverse and inclusive. It’s clear that there is more work to do in all of these areas – and maybe even a lot of work – but we’re making progress that I’m extremely proud of. We’re taking concrete steps forward in a principled and informed way, based on a well-thought out and achievable strategic plan, benefiting from staff expertise and a Bencher table that is more diverse and intergenerational than it has ever been.”

Ms. Steblyk 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.

“I’m humbled to be selected as the Law Society’s next President-Elect. It’s such a pleasure to be among such an accomplished, thoughtful group of lawyers and non-lawyers, talking about interesting subjects and achieving important things.”