- Home
- Regulation
- Adjudication
- Adjudicator Directory
Our adjudicator pool includes Benchers (board members), appointed lawyers and members of the public. To view Bencher profiles, please visit our Board Directory. For all other adjudicators, view the directory below.
Grace has served more than 45 years as a Registered Nurse with additional training in Health Administration and Forensics. Her professional background includes health administration, post-secondary instruction, and administrative justice. She has over 28 years in health care leadership in Alberta and BC. Grace is currently a hearing chair with the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation, a public adjudicator with the Law Society of Alberta and was recently appointed to the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) Council.
Michael Brodrick, CTAJ™, is an Edmonton-based real estate broker and REALTOR®, with over 20 years of experience. Working as a licensed professional in a self-regulated industry, Mr. Brodrick understands legislation, regulation, rules, and codes of conduct. He has a keen interest in administrative justice and has taken part in hearing and appeal panels with the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton and the Real Estate Council of Alberta.
John Byrne has over 40 years of experience as an Alberta land surveyor, where he has been involved in supervising development and re-development of neighbourhoods across the province. As past President of the Alberta Land Surveyors Association, Mr. Byrne has experience in reviewing complaints and other disciplinary matters. He has technical knowledge of various legislation in the province and is recognized as an Expert Witness in the Alberta Court of Kings Bench for Planning.
Tamela Coates has an extensive background in adjudicatory work from her 35 years as a litigator and has served as a member of the Law Society’s Professional Responsibility Committee. During her time as a litigator, Ms. Coates practiced commercial litigation, dispute resolution and risk management. Ms. Coates provided counsel to clients in many of the country’s complex commercial disputes.
Troy Couillard is a lawyer with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, working in the Appeals Unit of the Appeals & Specialized Prosecutions Office. As Appellate Counsel, he represents the prosecution in the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, and provides trial prosecutors with advice on legal issues and trial strategy. Mr. Couillard often represents the Attorney General at the Criminal Code Review Board of Alberta. He has also has eight years’ experience as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, teaching Professionalism and Ethics. Mr. Couillard currently volunteers with the Law Society’s Conduct Committee.
Jodi 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. Jodi 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 35 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.
Ted served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2021 to 2024.
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.
After over 20 years of front-line paramedic service, Timothy Ford transitioned into the role of Registrar for the Alberta College of Paramedics. He has helped develop and implement increased educational content for the Emergency Medical Responder and Paramedic programs and redesigned the entry-to-practice examination. Mr. Ford oversees regulatory activity of the College and the resolution of complaints against its members. He is familiar with the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics, both of which he completed a thorough revision of. In addition to working for the College, Mr. Ford also sits as Chair of the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators.
Carsten Jensen is one of the founding partners of JSS Barristers. His practice focuses exclusively on dispute resolution, with an emphasis on corporate and commercial litigation including commercial class actions, energy sector disputes, shareholder disputes, multiparty litigation and arbitrations. Carsten has represented governments, airlines, major and independent energy sector firms, and individuals, and he does professional negligence defence work.
From 1998 to 2000, Carsten acted as senior legal officer and team leader at the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Carsten 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, where he now serves as the Chair of its Professional Conduct Committee, which is concerned with the discipline of members.
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 served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2013 to 2024.
Mandy Kinzel was raised in rural Alberta before attending the University of Calgary to obtain her Bachelor of Education. After teaching high school for 11 years in four countries, she received her Juris Doctor. Currently, she is a lawyer for Alberta Justice where she advises the Ministry of Education. Her practice focuses on advice related to certification and discipline matters of Albertan teachers. Ms. Kinzel was part of a team structuring the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission which now oversees the discipline of all teachers in the province. Prior to advising the Ministry of Education, Ms. Kinzel advised the Ministry of Labour and Immigration and also worked in private practice as a civil litigator. She has appeared in the Ontario Superior Court and Court of Justice and all levels of Alberta Courts. Ms. Kinzel is a volunteer member of the LSAB Lawyer Competence Committee and is the Vice President of the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking.
Edith 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. Edith 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.
Linda 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. Linda 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. Linda  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.
Michael Mannas is a Calgary based Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, FCPA, FCGA and a Chartered Director (CDir). He is President and Director of Golden Prairie Energy Ltd., a private oil and gas company. He currently sits as Chair of the Appeal Tribunal Roster of CPA Alberta.
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 served for three years on the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board, the final year as chair. 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.
Cheryl McLaughlin resides in Calgary where she is the Regulatory Compliance Director for an International Beverage Company. In this position she is responsible for compliance, food safety, and environmental matters. Ms. Mclaughlin serves as a Director on several boards and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. As a Director of the Beverage Container Management Board, Ms. McLaughlin has both training and experience on hearing panels. Her background in food safety and regulation affairs has given her knowledge of the importance of regulatory standards, governance, and professional ethics.
Martha Miller is an Edmonton-based human resources (HR) professional with extensive background in organizational systems and processes. 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. Martha continues to fill both elected and volunteer roles in governance and participates in related training offerings.
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 a Registered Family Mediator, and a Certified Comprehensive Family Mediator 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 served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2021 to 2024.
Walter practises with 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.
Walter 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.
Walter served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2013 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2021.
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.
Robert 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. Robert has significant adjudication 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.
Robert was a Judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta for nearly 10 years and 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.
Robert served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2018 to 2021.
Tammy Pidner is an Edmonton-based CPA and strategic advisor. With 30 years in management and leadership roles, Ms. Pidner has experience working collaboratively in various committee structures in diverse sectors. She has training in ethics, gender-based analysis, bias, and anti-racism. Ms. Pidner is a Board Member of the Assessment Review Board of the City of Edmonton, and has 9 years of experience with APEGA, where she developed an understanding of self-regulation and its role in protecting the public interest.
Kathleen Ryan 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.
Kathleen is senior counsel at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Edmonton. Kathleen has a diverse litigation practice, including consumer and injury litigation, professional negligence, employment litigation, insurance 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 was first elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta in 2012 and served on the Law Society of Alberta Board for nine years. In that time, she was a member of the Executive Committee and chair or co-chaired numerous committees, including Conduct, Audit and Finance, Practice Review, Assurance Fund Adjudications, Professional Responsibility, Credentials and Education, and Continuing Competence. Kathleen also chaired or vice-chaired important LSA initiatives including the Practice Foundations Task Force and the Innovating Regulation Task Force. From 2019 to 2023, Kathleen chaired both the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Lawyer ‎Competence Committee Advisory Committee.
Kathleen was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 for 2013. She was a WILL award recipient (Women in Law Leadership – broader roles) in 2017. Kathleen received the ACTLA President’s Award in 2019. Since 2019, she has been a director of the Alberta Law Reform Institute. 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 and received the Kevin Harrison volunteerism award in 2018 for her longstanding contributions to the ringette community. Kathleen co-chaired the Creating Safe Spaces Anti-Bullying breakfast from 2010 through 2013. She 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. Also a member of the NWT bar, she is on the Insurance Committee of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories.
Kathleen continues her service to the Law Society of Alberta as a non-Bencher adjudicator.
Angela V. Saccomani, KC, has over 36 years of experience and is a Senior Associate at Biamonte LLP. Her legal journey includes private and public practice and throughout her career, she has enjoyed giving back to the legal profession.
Ms. Saccomani is a litigator in a plaintiff-oriented practice focusing on personal injury law and family law. During her career with Justice Canada, Angela served as a Deputy Regional Director and Senior Counsel, Aboriginal Law Services, and in leadership of the Indian Residential School file and then of the ALS Alberta Core group, the largest legal group in the Prairie Region. Additionally, Angela took on the role of Acting Team Leader for the Business Regulatory Portfolio, representing federal government departments such as Parks Canada and Environment Canada. Angela began her public service career as legal counsel in the Aboriginal Law Services Section on the Indian Residential School Team.
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 senior counsel 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 and is a recipient of the Women in Law Leadership Stronger Together Award and the inaugural Impact Award by the Commercial Real Estate Women for work in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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.
She is currently volunteering with the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
Darlene served as the Chair of the Alberta Law Foundation and as Chair of the Law Society’s Audit, Conduct, Credentials and Education, and Real Estate Practice Advisory Committees. Darlene also served a number of terms on the Law Society Nominating Committee, and served on the Executive Committee for 7 years, culminating in her Presidency in 2021.
She currently Chairs the board of KV Mortgage Fund Inc. and is a member of the board of directors and the lending review committee.
Jamie Tiessen is a strategic advisor who offers a unique blend of expertise in business, government, board, and tribunal expertise. As President and CEO of The Tiessen Group, he brings a wealth of experience, having managed radio stations and occupied executive, director, and consultancy positions. Currently, Mr. Tiessen is the current Chair of the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association, guiding organizational governance and facilitating intergovernmental relationships, amongst other responsibilities. He is also currently an Appeals Commissioner for the Appeals Commission for Alberta Worker’s Compensation, where he adjudicates regularly. Additionally, his dedication to community service is evident through his service to municipal councils, various Government of Alberta ministries, and numerous boards and commissions.
Nazrina Umarji received her Bachelor of Education (with Distinction) in 2001 and her Juris Doctor in 2005, both from the University of Alberta. She was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2006. Nazrina has practiced in a variety of areas of the law with a focus on Administrative Law and Civil Litigation. Nazrina currently serves as General Counsel with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, where she assists with overseeing the hearing director’s office, which includes organizing tribunal member training and ensuring professional disciplinary hearings are conducted based on the principles of procedural fairness. She is also a pre-certified tribunal member for the Alberta Consumer Services Appeal Board and a former tribunal member of the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
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 General Counsel with Alberta Justice. As a legal advisor to the Government of Alberta for the past 40 years, her practice has covered 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.
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 her dedicated work with and for the public service notably a Queen’s Counsel designation (2008), the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) and the CBA John Tait Award of Excellence (2023).
Margaret served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2016 to 2024.
Ken Warren was called to the Alberta 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 in Director and Officer Liability, and by Best Lawyers in Medical Negligence and 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.
Ken 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, is a member of the Alberta Regional Advisory Committee of the Advocates’ Society and regularly lectured in the CPLED program.
Ken served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2018 to 2023, and as its President in 2023.
Matthew Woodley is an Edmonton-based lawyer at Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP, where he practices primarily public law, employment, media, and administrative law. Mr. Woodley’s practice includes providing independent legal advice to regulatory bodies and post-secondary institutions, including with respect to fair hearings and appeals. Additionally, Mr. Woodley teaches Administrative Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta and is a board member for the Alberta Law Reform Institute.
Catherine 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.
Catherine 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. Catherine 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.
Tony 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. He currently works as a family lawyer at Sugimoto & Company. Tony 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.
Tony 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. He 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.
Tony served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta from 2009 to 2018.
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.