Joel Palyga

Joel Palyga earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary, where he was involved in advocacy, community service and corporate-focused experiential learning. He served as the 1L Representative for the PBSC Calgary Chapter, participated in the 2024 Corporate Counsel Externship as an inaugural participant working with a Canadian airline and attended the 2025 Corporate Law Summer Institute. Joel earned Dean’s List standing throughout law school and is a recipient of the Margaret and Robert Montgomery Law Scholarship. During his legal studies, he developed academic interests in employment and labour law, privacy law, litigation and corporate law, supported by coursework in employment law, privacy and cybersecurity law and the Corporate Law Summer Institute.

Prior to law school, Joel earned a Bachelor of Arts with Great Distinction from Athabasca University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. He brings significant professional experience from his prior career as a police officer with the Calgary Police Service and his ongoing service as an officer in the Naval Reserve, roles that strengthened his leadership, discipline and commitment to public service.