Diann P. Castle
Diann was born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, and raised in the tranquil surroundings of Cochrane, Alberta. Her educational journey began with a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing from Alberta Hospital Edmonton in 1977, followed by a Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling from Red Deer College in 1978.
Diann embarked on a path of advocacy, beginning with her tenure as a nurse at the Foothills Hospital, where she honed her skills in understanding and addressing the diverse needs of individuals. This experience deepened her empathy and compassion, qualities that would become central to her approach to legal representation.
In 1983, Diann earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary before pursuing her Juris Doctorate from the University of Windsor, which she attained in 1987. Throughout her academic endeavors, she maintained a commitment to understanding human behavior and addressing individual needs, laying the foundation for her future career in law.
In 1988, Diann was called to the Bar and subsequently articled with the firm of Meurin & Isbister. In 1991, she established Castle & Associates, her own firm, where she championed the rights of marginalized communities, drawing upon her multidisciplinary background to provide holistic and compassionate legal representation.
Over the ensuing decades, Diann's dedication to her clients saw her amass over 100 reported decisions across all levels of the judiciary, showcasing her expertise and unwavering commitment to justice. She firmly believes in the power of mediation, negotiation, and counseling as essential steps before resorting to litigation, embodying a client-centric approach that prioritizes understanding and empathy.
Beyond her legal career, Diann is an avid traveler, having explored over 90 countries and territories across the globe, where she has marveled at iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, trekked through ancient ruins in Rome, and savored culinary delights from the Middle East to the Caribbean. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Iceland, her journeys have not only enriched her understanding of different cultures but have also fostered lifelong friendships that transcend geographical boundaries.
In every aspect of her life, Diann exemplifies a commitment to justice, empathy, and understanding, embodying the principles of advocacy both inside and outside the courtroom.
See Diann's travels on the map below:
DS v PA, 2018 ABPC 157
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AH v AM, 2018 ABPC 92
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JF v. JK, 2017 ABPC 27
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V.N. v. P.S. (P.B.), 2014 ABPC 86
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V.N. v. P.S. (P.B.), 2014 ABPC 217
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H. (C.L.) v. C. (S.A.) 2010 CarswellAlta 541, 2010 ABPC 98, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3007, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3016, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3018, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3097, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3152, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3154;

B. (T.) v. B. (J.) 2009 CarswellAlta 1196, 2009 ABPC 209, [2009] A.W.L.D. 4274, [2009] W.D.F.L. 5226;
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M. (S.) v. Alberta (Director, Child, Youth & Family Enhancement Act) 2008 CarswellAlta 510, 2008 ABPC 101, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3956, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4666;
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M. (F.), Re In the Matter of the Child, Youth & Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. (2000) Chapter C-12 and In the Matter of the Family Law Act, Statutes of Alberta, 2003 Chap. F-4.5 and F.M. born 2004 and D.M. born 2005 2007 CarswellAlta 1177, 2007 ABPC 186, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2033, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2495;
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M. (F.), Re In the Matter of the Child, Youth & Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. (2000) Chapter C-12 and In the Matter of the Family Law Act, Statutes of Alberta, 2003 Chap. F-4.5 and F.M. born 2004 and D.M. born 2005 2007 CarswellAlta 213, 2007 ABPC 44, [2007] A.W.L.D. 2117, [2007] W.D.F.L. 2358;
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M. (J.R.) v. M. (T.D.) 2006 CarswellAlta 1443, 2006 ABPC 285, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1621, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1620, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1622, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1780, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1778, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1781;
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W.(M.), Re In the Matter of The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. (2000) 2006 CarswellAlta 1058, 2006 ABPC 217, [2007] A.W.L.D. 107, [2007] W.D.F.L. 129;
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A.(S.L.), Re In the Matter of The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. (2000) 2005 CarswellAlta 1716, 2005 ABPC 141, [2006] A.W.L.D. 405, [2006] A.W.L.D. 406, [2006] W.D.F.L. 277, [2006] W.D.F.L. 279;
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Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) v. H.(C.) 2003 CarswellAlta 8, 2003 ABPC 3, 8 Alta. L.R. (4th) 268;
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Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) v. S.(S.) 2002 CarswellAlta 1517, 2002 ABPC 184;
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S.(B.A.) v. Z.(C.L.) 2001 CarswellAlta 379, 2001 ABPC 55, 287 A.R. 1;
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T.(J.), Re In the Matter of: The Child Welfare Act, S.A., C-8.1, as amended; and The Provincial Court Act, S.A., P-20, as amended 2001 CarswellAlta 80, 2001 ABPC 27, 283 A.R. 169; and
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L.(T.A.V.), Re In the Matter of L.(T.A.V.) and L.(T.A.), Children Within The Meaning of the Child Welfare Act 1993 CarswellAlta 836, 147 A.R. 69.
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Wright v Lemoine, 2017 ABQB 395
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ESB v SDB, 2017 ABQB 522 (CanLII)
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Noseworthy v McDonald, 2017 ABQB 439 (CanLII)
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EG v. Alberta (Child and Family Services), 2014 ABQB 406
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W. (L.D.) v. M. (K.D.) 2011 CarswellAlta 1032, 2011 ABQB 384, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3905, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3904, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3902, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3899, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3894, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3893, [2011] A.W.L.D. 3891, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5145, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5139, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5128, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5117, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5081, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5077, [2011] W.D.F.L. 5064, 508 A.R. 335;
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S. (C.) v. L. (E.) 2010 CarswellAlta 831, 2010 ABQB 285;
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C. (L.) v. L. (S.) 2010 CarswellAlta 275, 2010 ABQB 92, [2010] A.W.L.D. 2589, [2010] A.W.L.D. 2591, [2010] W.D.F.L. 2645, [2010] W.D.F.L. 2654;
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Bowles v. Beamish 2008 CarswellAlta 1067, 2008 ABQB 480, [2009] A.W.L.D. 160;
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Bowles v. Beamish 2008 CarswellAlta 888, 2008 ABQB 395, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3307, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3266, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4010, [2008] W.D.F.L. 3987;
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Fisher v. Fisher 2008 CarswellAlta 340, 2008 ABQB 170, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2039, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2041, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2036, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2525, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2536, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2550, 52 R.F.L. (6th) 435, 442 A.R. 304;
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Mahowich v. Mahowich 2008 CarswellAlta 319, 2008 ABQB 143, [2008] A.W.L.D. 1581, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2042;
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F. (A.), Re T.W. and R.W. and Child and Family Services Authority, Anne Marie Kingston 2008 CarswellAlta 458, 2008 ABQB 97, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3444, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3445, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3447, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4115, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4109, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4110;
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M. (F.), Re The Director of Child and Family Services In Right of the Province of Alberta and S.D.M. 2008 CarswellAlta 457, 2008 ABQB 94, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2366, [2008] W.D.F.L. 2912, 53 R.F.L. (6th) 342, 444 A.R. 18;
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Bowles v. Beamish 2007 CarswellAlta 797, 2007 ABQB 398, [2007] A.W.L.D. 2564;
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Bowles v. Beamish 2007 CarswellAlta 1473, 2007 ABQB 398, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2234, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2234, [2008] A.W.L.D. 2233;
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W. (V.L.) v. W. (J.E.) 2007 CarswellAlta 674, 2007 ABQB 358, 75 Alta. L.R. (4th) 252, 39 R.F.L. (6th) 376, [2007] A.W.L.D. 2952, [2007] A.W.L.D. 2954, [2007] W.D.F.L. 3438, [2007] W.D.F.L. 3451, 158 A.C.W.S. (3d) 439;
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Ganden, Re: In the Matter of the Bankruptcy of Mark Edward Ganden 2006 CarswellAlta 1449, 2006 ABQB 806, [2007] A.W.L.D. 8, [2007] A.W.L.D. 10, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1, 26 C.B.R. (5th) 194, 153 A.C.W.S. (3d) 26, 428 A.R. 287;
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W.(K.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) 2006 CarswellAlta 1401, 2006 ABQB 778, [2007] A.W.L.D. 709, [2007] W.D.F.L. 822, 34 R.F.L. (6th) 414, 70 Alta. L.R. (4th) 81;
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G.(A.) v. S.(L.) 2005 CarswellAlta 968, 2005 ABQB 462, [2005] W.D.F.L. 3432, [2005] W.D.F.L. 3472, [2005] W.D.F.L. 3476, [2005] A.W.L.D. 2781, [2005] A.W.L.D. 2804, [2005] A.W.L.D. 2807, [2005] W.D.F.L. 3910, [2005] A.W.L.D. 3172, 17 R.F.L. (6th) 244;
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Barrett Estate, Re: In the Matter of the Estate of Dwight Wesley Barrett 2005 CarswellAlta 2334, 2005 WL 5745752 (Alta. Q.B.);
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Nathoo v. Nathoo 2005 CarswellAlta 301, 2005 ABQB 175, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1377, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1378, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1380, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1713, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1708, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1707, 16 R.F.L. (6th) 313;
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J. (R.K.) v. S. (M.M.) 2004 CarswellAlta 1148, 2004 ABQB 641;
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Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) v. R.(M.) 2003 CarswellAlta 2020, 2005 ABQB 641, [2005] W.D.F.L. 3946, [2005] A.W.L.D. 3245, 386 A.R. 182;
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W.(J.) v. C.(J.) 2003 CarswellAlta 1767, 2003 ABQB 211;
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Ganden v. Kovalsky 2003 CarswellAlta 891, 2003 ABQB 20;
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S.(J.S.) v. S.(W.J.) 2002 CarswellAlta 2104, 2002 ABQB 819;
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Thurber v. Thurber 2002 CarswellAlta 950, 2002 ABQB 727, 322 A.R. 242;
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M.(D.A.) v. M.(A.E.) 2002 CarswellAlta 1501, 2002 ABQB 538;
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R.(W.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) 2001 CarswellAlta 1771, 2001 ABQB 869, 25 R.F.L. (5th) 380;
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Tabata v. Smith 2001 CarswellAlta 1294, 2001 ABQB 776, 21 R.F.L. (5th) 451, 297 A.R. 168;
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Lauderdale v. Lauderdale 1999 CarswellAlta 296, 241 A.R. 355, 50 R.F.L. (4th) 411;
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Johnson-Steeves v. Lee 1997 CarswellAlta 426, 50 Alta. L.R. (3d) 340, [1997] 6 W.W.R. 608, 29 R.F.L. (4th) 126, 203 A.R. 192, 6 W.W.R. 608;
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Cyclone Sales & Service Ltd. Husson 1996 CarswellAlta 878, 195 A.R. 380 at 385, [1996] A.W.L.D. 1090, [1996] W.D.F.L. 2742;
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Taylor v. Rossu 1996 CarswellAlta 847, 44 Alta.L.R. (3d) 388, [1997] 1 W.W.R. 672, 140 D.L.R. (4th) 562, 191 A.R. 252, 39 C.R.R. (2d) 362 - (LANDMARK);
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Cyclone Sales & Service Ltd. v. Husson 1996 CarswellAlta 877, 195 A.R. 380, [1996] A.W.L.D. 1091, [1996] W.D.F.L. 2741;
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Nowakowski v. Nowakowski 1996 CarswellAlta 63, 20 R.F.L. (4th) 281, 177 A.R. 370;

Lauderdale v. Lauderdale 1996 CarswellAlta 43, 21 R.F.L. (4th) 17, 180 A.R. 81;

O.(T.L.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) 1995 CarswellAlta 431, 34 Alta. L.R. (3d) 194, 175 A.R. 194;

Paterson v. Paterson 1994 CarswellAlta 786, [1994] A.W.L.D. 989, [1994] W.D.F.L. 1791;

McIntyre v. McIntyre 1993 CarswellAlta 769, [1993] W.D.F.L. 1101.

JWS v CJS, 2021 ABQB 411

CMZ v JLZ, 2021 ABQB 700
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Lotoski v. Lotoski, 2016 ABCA 73
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Brost v Kusler, 2016 ABCA 363

Quraishi v Merah, 2016 ABCA 116

E.G. v. Alberta (Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, Director), 2014 ABCA 237

Caldwell v. Caldwell, 2013 ABCA 268
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Gingrich v. Gingrich 2012 CarswellAlta 2073, 2012 ABCA 371;
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Kretschmer v. Terrigno 2012 CarswellAlta 2064, 2012 ABCA 345;

H. (R.) v. H. (G.G.) 2011 CarswellAlta 2428, 2012 ABCA 11, [2012] A.W.L.D. 704, [2012] W.D.F.L. 1344, 215 A.C.W.S. (3d) 894;

M. (J.D.) v. L. (A.M.) 2010 CarswellAlta 1378, 2010 ABCA 219;

Hojnik v. Hojnik 2010 CarswellAlta 1061, 2010 ABCA 192, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3013, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3014, [2010] A.W.L.D. 3025, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3142, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3144, [2010] W.D.F.L. 3180;
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D. (A.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) 2010 CarswellAlta 438, 2010 ABCA 83, [2010] A.W.L.D. 1614, [2010] W.D.F.L. 1647, 78 R.F.L. (6th) 13, 317 D.L.R. (4th) 299;

J. (D.) v. J. (M.) 2009 CarswellAlta 1238, 2009 ABCA 272, [2009] A.W.L.D. 3450, [2009] A.W.L.D. 3451, [2009] A.W.L.D. 3452, [2009] W.D.F.L. 4093, [2009] W.D.F.L. 4098, [2009] W.D.F.L. 4124, 70 R.F.L. (6th) 63, 13 Alta. L.R. (5th) 1, 464 A.R. 16, 467 W.A.C. 16;

Hashman v. Hashman 2009 CarswellAlta 341, 2009 ABCA 95, [2009] A.W.L.D. 1295, [2009] W.D.F.L. 1502;
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F. (A.), Re 2009 CarswellAlta 33, 2009 ABCA 25, 99 Alta. L.R. (4th) 28, [2009] A.W.L.D. 548, [2009] A.W.L.D. 549, [2009] A.W.L.D. 547, [2009] W.D.F.L. 604, [2009] W.D.F.L. 605, [2009] W.D.F.L. 607, 61 R.F.L. (6th) 64, 446 A.R. 333, 442 W.A.C. 333, 307 D.L.R. (4th) 140;
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Alberta (Director, Child, Youth & Family Enhancement Act) v. S. (L.) 2009 CarswellAlta 12, 2009 ABCA 10, [2009][ A.W.L.D. 768, [2009] A.W.L.D. 710, [2009] W.D.F.L. 831, 446 A.R. 135, 442 W.A.C. 135;

Hykawy v. Hykawy 2008 CarswellAlta 1294, 2008 ABCA 324, [2008] A.W.L.D. 3959, [2008] W.D.F.L. 4718, 56 R.F.L. (6th) 24, 60 C.P.C. (6th) 216, 298 D.L.R. (4th) 620;
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Felker v. Felker 2007 CarswellAlta 164, 2007 ABCA 55, 391 W.A.C. 318, 401 A.R. 318, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1863, [2007];
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W. (K.V.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare), 2006 CarswellAlta 1773, 2006 ABCA 404, [2007] 3 W.W.R. 626, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1131, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1289, 69 Alta. L.R. (4th) 215, 391 W.A.C. 175, 401 A.R. 175;

Keshavjee v. Altavac Manufacturing Inc. 2006 CarswellAlta 1807, 20070 ABCA 2, [2007] W.D.F.L. 1938, [2007] A.W.L.D. 1769;
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G.(A.) v. S.(L.) 2006 CarswellAlta 1367, 2006 ABCA 311, 384 W.A.C. 296, 397 A.R. 296, [2007] W.D.F.L. 921, [2007] W.D.F.L. 999, [2007] W.D.F.L. 984, [2007] A.W.L.D. 779, [2007] A.W.L.D. 808, [2007] A.W.L.D. 807, 275 D.L.R. (4th) 388, 34 R.F.L. (6th) 266;
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P.(V.M.) v. P.(D.B.) 2006 CarswellAlta 1228, 2006 ABCA 286, [2006] A.W.L.D. 2955, [2006] W.D.F.L. 3552, 384 W.A.C. 385, 397 A.R. 385, 36 R.F.L. (6th) 259, [2007] A.S.L.D. 2119, [2007} W.D.F.L. 2372;
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P.(V.M.) v. P.(D.B.) 2006 CarswellAlta 893, 2006 ABCA 224, [2006] A.W.L.D. 2463, [2006] W.D.F.L. 2885, 28 R.F.L. (6th) 5, 152 A.C.W.S. (3d) 194;
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Darr v. Darr 2006 CarswellAlta 99, 2006 ABCA 32, [2006] A.W.L.D. 1037, [2006] A.W.L.D. 1037, [2006] A.W.L.D. 1058, [2006] A.W.L.D. 987, [2006] W.D.F.L. 932, 263 D.L.R. (4th) 410, 384 A.R. 69, 367 W.A.C. 69;

T.(M.) v. Alberta (Director of Child Welfare) 2005 CarswellAlta 362, 2005 ABCA 125, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1611, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1612, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1613, {2005} A.W.L.D. 1614, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1615, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1902, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1896, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1895, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1894, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1891, 363 A.R. 306, 343 W.A.C. 306, 42 Alta. L.R. (4th) 99;

M.(L.) v. T.(J.) 2004 CarswellAlta 1883, 2005 ABCA 9, [2005] W.D.F.L. 1252, [2005] A.W.L.D. 1051;
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White v. White 2003 CarswellAlta 1732, 2003 ABCA 358, 1 R.F.L. (6th) 416, 346 A.R. 51, 320 W.A.C. 51;
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W.(J.) v. C.(J.) 2003 CarswellAlta 1769, 2003 ABCA 348, 26 Alta. L.R. (4th) 19, 236 A.R. 127, 320 W.A.C. 128, 49 R.F.L. (5th) 450;
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D.(J.) v. B.(T.D.) 2002 CarswellAlta 1568, 2002 ABCA 269, 33 R.F.L. (5th) 315, 317 A.R. 231, 284 W.A.C. 231;
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Bulloch v. Bulloch 2001 CarswellAlta 1882, 2001 ABCA 69;

Deiure v. Deiure 2000 CarswellAlta 1497, 2000 ABCA 328, 11 R.F.L. (5th) 295, 281 A.R. 146, 248 W.A.C. 146;
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Howard v. Howard 2000 CarswellAlta 466, 2000 WL 33296250 (Alta. C.A.);
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Furlong v. Furlong 1998 CarswellAlta 962, 42 R.F.L. (4th) 350, [1998] A.J. No. 1173;
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Taylor v. Rossu 1998 CarswellAlta 523, 161 D.L.R. (4th) 266, 216 A.R. 348, 175 W.A.C. 348, 39 R.F.L. (4th) 242, [1999] 1 W.W.R. 85, (sub nom. Rossue v. Taylor) 53 C.R.R. (2d) 219, 68 Alta. L.R. (3d) 213, 1 W.W.R. 85, [1998] A.J. No. 648, 1998 ABCA 193 - (LANDMARK) Changed the Law of Alberta Re: Spousal Support for Common-Law Spouses;
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Bolt v. Nunemaker 1998 CarswellAlta 448, 216 A.R. 28, 175 W.A.C. 28;
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Johnson-Steeves v. Lee 1997 CarswellAlta 961, 54 Alta. L.R. (3d) 218, 33 R.F.L. (4th) 278, 48 C.R.R. (2d) 327, 209 A.R. 292, 160 W.A.C. 292, [1998] 3 W.W.R. 419, 3 W.W.R. 410, [1997] A.J. No. 1057;

Lauderdale v. Lauderdale 1997 CarswellAlta 448, 200 A.R. 198, 146 W.A.C. 198, 29 R.F.L. (4th) 34;
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Mayotte v. Salthouse 1997 CarswellAlta 445, 29 R.F.L. (4th) 38;

M.(R.K.) v. K.(L.D.) 1996 CarswellAlta 941, 25 R.F.L. (4th) 285, 193 A.R. 167, 135 W.A.C. 167, [1997] A.W.L.D. 033, [1997] W.D.F.L. 075;

Lasalle v. Lasalle 1994 CarswellAlta 387, 7 R.F.L. (4th) 100;

Haisman v. Haisman 1994 CarswellAlta 179, 22 Alta. L.R. (3d) 56, 7 R.F.L. (4th) 1, 116 D.L.R. (4th) 671, 157 A.R. 47, 77 W.A.C. 47, 116 D.L.R. (4th) 671 - (LANDMARK);
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Theriault v. Theriault 1994 CarswellAlta 371, 2 R.F.L. (4th) 157, 149 A.R. 210, 63 W.A.C. 210, 113 D.L.R. (4th) 57 - (LANDMARK) followed by SCC; and
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Freeman v. Pellerin 1991 CarswellAlta 767, 120 A.R. 335, 8 W.A.C. 335.
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JLZ v CMZ, 2021 ABCA 200
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Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Family Law Litigation
- Family Law Appeals
Bar Admissions
- Alberta, 1988
Education
- University of Windsor School of Law, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
J.D. - 1987 - University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
B.A. - 1983 - Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling - 1978 - Alberta Hospital Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing - 1977
Honors and Awards
- Law School Entrance Scholarship, 1983 - 1984
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Calgary Bar Association, 1988 - Present
- Alberta Law Society, 1988 - Present
- Canadian Bar Association