People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Manage Cookies

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Payments

Legal

Calgary

Toronto

Edmonton

Ottawa

Vancouver

New York

Montréal

Melanie L. Aitken

Antitrust & Competition Law Advisor

Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Patrick T. Maguire KC

Energy & Project Development Lawyer | Oil, Gas & Power

Vice Chair and Partner

To mark this year's International Women's Day, we are proud to present a candid leadership conversation on the challenges women face in the legal field. Our five office managing partners—<a href="/People/A/Aitken-Melanie" target="_self">Melanie Aitken</a>, Radha Curpen, <a href="/People/H/Hussey-Dominique" target="_self">Dominique Hussey</a>, <a href="/People/M/Maguire-Patrick" target="_self">Pat Maguire</a> and <a href="/People/S/Stratton-Barbara" target="_self">Barbara Stratton</a>—are joined by moderator and Bennett Jones partner, Michelle Yung as they share perspectives from their lived experiences. This discussion highlights the importance of acting purposely to create an workplace where women can thrive.

IWD 2023 Workplaces Where Women Thrive

IWD 2023: Workplaces Where Women Thrive

Barbara J. Kimmitt KC

Wills, Estates & Trusts Lawyer | Estate Planning & Mediation

Partner

Barbara J. Stratton KC

Medical Malpractice & Estates Litigator | Mediator

Edmonton Managing Partner

The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) issued its final report in January 2022, entitled "Family Maintenance & Support from the Estate of a Person Who Stood in the Place of Parent." The Report recommends that Alberta legislation should be changed to give rights to step-children against a deceased step-parent's estate. If the Alberta government adopts ALRI's recommendations, this would mean a significant change to the province's succession law.
Currently, lawyers can safely advise clients that step-children do not have a claim against their step-parent's estate. The report's recommendations would change that. The Wills & Succession Act of Alberta (WSA) is a consolidation of most of Alberta's laws that relate to what happens when a person dies. It includes provisions around what is required for a valid Will, what happens if a person dies without a Will (i.e. the intestacy provisions) and importantly, who may make a claim for support if the deceased person's Will, or the intestacy provisions, do not make "adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support" of a family member. These claims are commonly referred to as "family maintenance and support claims," or "FMS."

Alberta Law Reform Commission on Obligations to Step Children

Alberta Law Reform Commission on Obligations to Step-Children

Recent changes to the "Medical Assistance in Dying" (MAID) provisions in the Criminal Code, allow medical or nurse practitioners in Canada to provide MAID to patients who request assistance in dying, who later lose the capacity to consent at the time MAID is administered. As well, it is no longer a prerequisite to MAID that death be "reasonably foreseeable". However, the law-makers remain undecided about how to treat mental illness in the context of MAID, and have essentially declined to make it available for Canadians diagnosed with dementia.

Doctor Assisted Suicide the Next Step of the Journey

Doctor Assisted Suicide: The Next Step of the Journey

Kees de Ridder

Technology, IP & Privacy Lawyer | Patents, Licensing & Cyber

Partner, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

The increasing use of virtual healthcare platforms raises questions and concerns about the protection of personal health information and the application of privacy legislation. Specifically, what happens if a virtual healthcare platform or app experiences a data breach in Alberta? Who bears the responsibility for such a risk?

Balancing Privacy and Convenience Medical Information and the Emergence of Virtual Medicine

Balancing Privacy and Convenience in Electronic Healthcare Law Review

Valérie Pelchat

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto 

Associate

Alison G. FitzGerald

International Arbitration Lawyer

Martin J. Valasek, FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

On May 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal of Qu&eacute;bec released its judgment in Avalin Group FZE v. Lauzon &ndash; Planchers de bois exclusifs inc., 2026 QCCA 651, in which it enforced a dispute resolution clause in an international agreement despite the absence of mandatory language compelling arbitration.&nbsp;

International Commercial Arbitration Agreement Enforceable Despite Absence of Mandatory Language

Court of Appeal of Québec: International Commercial Arbitration Agreement Enforceable Despite Absence of Mandatory Language

John D. van Gent

Commercial Real Estate Finance Lawyer | Lending & Credit

In his recent contribution to The Abstract, an American College of Mortgage Attorneys journal, John van Gent examines the growing use of mortgage charge transfers in Canadian refinancing transactions and the legal framework supporting them across Canadian jurisdictions. The article explores the practical considerations for lenders, borrowers and advisors when deciding whether to assign an existing charge or register a new mortgage, offering guidance on when a charge transfer may provide commercial advantages.

The Charge That Lived The Practical Value of Charge

The Charge That Lived: The Practical Value of Charge Transfers

J. Sébastien A. Gittens

Technology Lawyer & Trademark Agent

Tech & Data, National Practice Group Leader 

Caroline Poirier

IT, Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer

Stephen D. Burns

Energy & Infrastructure Technology Lawyer | IT/OT & Markets

Partner, Trademark Agent

Our Privacy and Data Protection lawyers were recently featured in the Canadian Privacy Law Review in an article that provides a high-level comparison of Canada’s key private-sector privacy regimes.

A Comparison of the PPCDA PIPEDA QC Privacy Act PIPA

A Comparison of the PPCDA, PIPEDA, Quebec's Privacy Act and PIPA

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Litigation Lawyer | Energy

Audrix Arce

At the 75th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference, industry leaders, government officials and Indigenous partners explored the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada's energy future. Discussions focused on regulatory certainty, interprovincial cooperation, AI and data centre growth, value-added energy development, and the importance of early Indigenous and landowner engagement. The key takeaway was clear: Canada has a strategic window to advance energy infrastructure and attract investment, but success will depend on timely action, collaboration and execution.

Key Takeaways from the Energy Business Forum at CEEA 75

Key Takeaways from the Energy Business Forum at CEEA '75

Simon Grant

Financial Services & Regulatory Lawyer

Partner 

Matthew Flynn

Technology Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Vancouver Managing Partner

Canada is taking a category-by-category approach to regulating prediction markets, with the CSA and CIRO permitting certain event contracts while directing others outside the securities and derivatives framework. This article examines Canada's emerging regulatory landscape and the key considerations for platforms, dealers, financial institutions and investors participating in these evolving markets.

Barbara Stratton Court of King's Bench of Alberta Education Seminar

From the Same Authors