July 9, 2026

Letter from the President, Bud Melnyk, KC  

I’ve been in the role of President since February 26, 2026, and I know how important it is to listen to the thoughtful perspectives about what is going on in the legal profession and to share updates from the Law Society of Alberta on how we continue to regulate in the public interest. 

Today, I want to take a moment to share an update on changes to the Legal Profession Act (LPA) and how the Law Society is responding to the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act (RPNA). I would also like to share a brief update on the Alberta Law Foundation.

As you may recall, the RPNA and LPA amendments were passed by the provincial government in December 2025 and will come into force on September 1, 2026. The Law Society has reviewed the legislative changes to assess their implications for the strategic work and day-to-day operations of the Law Society.

We know the legislative changes represent a shift in how the Law Society will regulate the legal profession in some respects, and we recognize that change creates uncertainty. However, what remains certain is that our commitment to the public interest as the independent regulator of the legal profession has not changed and our focus remains on ensuring that competent, qualified lawyers serve the people of this province. 

Our standards for professional conduct set out a clear roadmap for lawyers on issues of competence and ethics, and lawyers must comply with the Code of Conduct, the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta and the LPA.

Learn more about the amendments to the LPA and RPNA, along with an Alberta Law Foundation update by reading the full letter on our website. 

U of C Business Venture Clinic Recruiting Volunteer Mentors 

The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law Business Venture Clinic (BVC) is recruiting volunteer mentors with expertise in corporate law for the 2026–27 academic year. The BVC, students and mentors work together to provide free legal assistance to entrepreneurs, startups and growth-stage companies. 

• Students prepare legal memos and draft documents on issues such as early-stage financing, corporate governance, business structuring, employment and intellectual property. Students also draft legal documents including articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, employment agreements, nondisclosure agreements, shareholder agreements and license agreements.

• Mentors review student-prepared materials, provide feedback and support students as they revise documents for client delivery. Mentoring is remote, flexible and typically requires just a few hours per month. Mentors work behind the scenes, with no direct contact with clients and their identities remain confidential. 

Learn more about the BVC or email the BVC Coordinator to become a mentor.  

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