Deanna Steblyk, KC, Elected President-Elect for 2023–24

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.” 

Read more about our incoming President-Elect on our website.

2023–24 Executive Committee

The 2023–24 Executive Committee will be Bill Hendsbee, KC (President), Deanna Steblyk, KC (President-Elect), Ryan D. Anderson, KC, Glen Buick, Lou Cusano, KC, Stacy Petriuk, KC, Margaret Unsworth, KC, and Ken Warren, KC (Past-President).

We congratulate the incoming Executive Committee. For more information on the Committee members, visit our website.

2023 Practice Fee Set

The Law Society of Alberta has set the 2023 practice fee at $2,490 per active lawyer, a $150 increase from 2022.

The practice fee remains lower than the 2017–2022 practice fee of $2,600.

Like many organizations, inflation is increasing the Law Society’s operational costs. However, because of a healthy contingency reserves balance, the Law Society is applying $1.1 million of the reserves to offset a larger increase in the practice fee.

The part-time membership fee will be $1,245 for 2023.

Instalment Plan Available

Invoices for 2023 practice fees will become available February 2023. Instalment plans for payment of the practice fee give lawyers more flexibility around fee payment. By moving fee payment to two equal, bi-annual instalments, lawyers can spread their financial obligations through the year rather than paying one lump sum.

If lawyers opt to make instalment payments, the first payment is due on or before March 15, 2023, with the second payment due by Sept. 15, 2023. There will be an additional $50 administrative charge on the March 15 deadline for lawyers who opt to pay their fees in instalments. 

Lawyers also have the option of paying the entire fee in one lump sum payment by March 15, 2023.

More information regarding practice fees and payment can be found on our website.

Congratulations to Chief Justice Khullar

The Honourable Justice Ritu Khullar has been appointed the new Chief Justice of Alberta. Chief Justice Khullar replaces the Honourable Catherine Fraser, who retired on July 30, 2022.

The Honourable Chief Justice Khullar was appointed to the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in 2017 and was elevated to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in 2018. Chief Justice Khullar was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Nov. 28.

View the full announcement on the Court of Appeal website.

Changes to the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta

The Benchers recently approved changes to the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta to allow the Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (ALIA) to implement universal cyber coverage for all lawyers who participate in ALIA’s mandatory indemnity program. Rule 145.1 has been amended and new Rules, 149.5 and 149.6, have been created. 

For more information on ALIA’s cyber coverage program, visit the ALIA section of our website.