Witten LLP believes in fostering a culture of inclusivity and celebrating the diversity that makes our society vibrant and strong. As we enter Pride Month, we are pleased to support the LGTBQIA2S+ community by making a donation to the Edmonton Community Foundation – Rainbow Fund.
Rainbow Fund provides vital resources and assistance to registered charities which support, research and enhance LGTBQIA2S+ activities and initiatives in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
We recognize that true progress requires both individual and collective action. As a law firm, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our team members and clients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
We are proud to support the LGTBQIA2S+ community and celebrate Pride Month. Please join our firm in celebrating and promoting inclusivity by supporting organizations like the Rainbow Fund. Together, we can make a difference and build a world where diversity is celebrated, and equal rights are upheld.
Welcome Sherry
May 1, 2023
Witten is pleased to welcome Sherry Simons as an associate to Witten.
Sherry has been practicing law since 2014 and is joining Witten LLP's wills and estate group. Sherry diligently provides her clients with estate planning services customized to each individual depending on family circumstances, personal financial situation, and legacy wishes. She also assists personal representatives with the efficient administration of estates while minimizing risks and liability. Sherry is adept at navigating complex estate situations and has experience with resolving beneficiary disputes.
Sherry also understands and has particular experience with assisting First Nation and Metis clients with estate planning and estate administration processes.
Welcome Akin
May 1, 2023
Witten LLP is pleased to welcome our newest articling students, Akin Ogunleye.
Celebrating Our Lawyer's Contribution to Legal Education
April 13, 2023
At Witten LLP, we are proud to have lawyers who are not only dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients but also committed to shaping the future of the legal profession. Today, we want to take a moment to celebrate one of our outstanding lawyers, Liam Kelly, for his contribution to legal education.
Liam Kelly and Michael Kirk teach the University of Alberta Law Advocacy course (LAW 608), which recently wrapped up with a mock civil trial presided over by justices from Alberta's King's Bench Justice Steven Mandziuk and Justice Jane Fagnon. Thanks to both Justices for their time.
Congratulations David and Kamal
March 22, 2023
Witten LLP is pleased to announce that David Pollock and Kamal Elmahdi will be staying on at Witten LLP as associates once they are called to the bar.
Congratulations Ron Sorokin and John Frame
March 14, 2023
The Law Society of Alberta’s Recognition of Service Program honours long-standing lawyers in Alberta for their contributions to the legal profession. Congratulations to Ron Sorokin and John Frame for thirty years of service to the profession.
Judgment Enforcement: A Deeper Dive
March 1, 2023
Join our lawyer, Andrea Steen, as she presents about the foundations of judgment enforcement for the upcoming LESA Seminar Judgment Enforcement: A Deeper Dive.
Commercial and Corporate Transactions for Legal Support Staff
Ellery Lew and Steve Shafir, K.C. awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal
January 27, 2023
Congratulations to Ellery Lew and Steve Shafir, K.C. of Witten LLP for being awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal! This prestigious honour is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. Their dedication and hard work have been recognized at the highest level and we are proud to have them as valued members of our team.
Howie Sniderman, K.C. recipient of the Distinguished Service Award
January 10, 2023
We are thrilled to announce that one of our own, Howie Sniderman, K.C., has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the Canadian Bar Association for his outstanding pro bono and volunteer work in our community.
This honor is a testament to Howie’s dedication and commitment to using his legal expertise to serve those in need and make a positive impact in our community. We are proud to have Howie as a member of Witten and are grateful for the inspiring example he sets for all of us.
Congratulations, Howie, on this well-deserved recognition of your hard work and compassion!
Witten LLP has been named in Chambers and Partners Canada Guide 2023
September 29, 2022
Chambers and Partners is a leading legal guide to the top-performing law firms and lawyers practicing across North America. Witten LLP is pleased to to be included in the Chambers and Partners Canada Guide 2023 in the area of Real Estate. We are also proud of Cathy Farnell for being ranked in the area of Real Estate.
Witten LLP is pleased to welcome our 2021-2022 articling student Adithi Raghuveer as an associate in 2022.
Witten LLP is proud of our lawyers that give back to our community!
April 30, 2022
Witten LLP is proud to foster and encourage empathetic volunteering by our lawyers. Their efforts help create caring, collaborative, and compassionate communities. Thank you Rachel Abel and all Witten LLP lawyers who have chosen to put their empathy into action to build communities where people feel happier, healthier, and more welcome. #NVW2022#EmpathyInAction#AccessToJustice”
Congratulations David Hiebert and Steve Shafir!
April 6, 2022
Witten LLP congratulates David Hiebert and Steve Shafir, who have been designated Queen’s Counsel. The Queen’s Counsel designation recognizes lawyers in Alberta who are leaders in the legal profession and in their communities.
The Queen’s Counsel committee selects a select number of lawyers in our province each year who exhibit sound intellectual ability, professional qualities including honesty, integrity and respect of the profession and who have made contributions to the profession, their communities and to the administration of justice.
David J. Hiebert, Q.C. is a commercial lawyer and helps clients with commercial transactions and contracts. He is also the Past President of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
Steven M. Shafir, Q.C. is a member of the Alberta and Nunavut bars. He practices primarily in debt realization and enforcement, and is a regular attendee in Masters’ Chambers throughout the Province of Alberta. Steve is invested in his community and sits on numerous boards. More information about Steve is available in his bio, here.
Congratulations David and Steve!
Seven Witten lawyers included in the 2022 Canadian Lexpert Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, includes profiles of leading practitioners across Canada in more than 60 practice areas and leading law firms in more than 40 practice areas. Congratulations to the following lawyers for their inclusion on this list:
Please join us in congratulating Ron Sorokin on his appointment as a Law Society of Alberta Bencher. Ron comes to his new position with a wealth of legal and community experience.
Condominium Law Update
February 24, 2022
Join our partner, John Frame, as he shares his condominium law expertise as a panelist for the upcoming LESA program about Condominium Property Law.
The mission of Free Play for Kids “is to provide marginalized kids with the opportunity to play in a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment at no cost to them or their families—because when kids are empowered through play, their families, their schools, and their communities are empowered as well.” Currently Free Play for Kids provides support for over 4,000 children in the City of Edmonton. Most of these kids are refugees, newcomers, or Indigenous youth, and the schools supported by this organization are highly social vulnerable schools in our city. The program provides totally free after-school care for these vulnerable populations by allowing them to participate in team sports (be it soccer, football, hockey or basketball), year round. It provides the participants with access to mentorship, positive role models, a team atmosphere, friendship, commitment, and fun. This results in better grades, better attendance in school, and better behaviour overall. As eloquently stated by Free Play: “free play is not the end goal; it is simply our incentive to create change.”
Check out a video of Witten's Free Footie team here!
Join us in the fight to STOP DIABETES for good!
February 3, 2022
Witten LLP is pleased to be the Law Industry Sponsor for the Alberta Diabetes Foundation (ADF) “Leading the Way Industry Challenge”. The ADF strategically funds cutting edge diabetes research in Alberta in its focus to create a world without diabetes. The Industry Challenge is meant to engage local Alberta industry to help find a cure for Diabetes. All funds raised stay in Alberta and are invested in critical Alberta based diabetes research including beta cell regeneration, anti-rejection islet cell transplantation, nano medicine, T2 diabetes prevention, and more.
At Witten, we recognize the importance of giving back to the communities we serve and we support our partners and employees in their efforts in that regard. Among our core values are excellence and innovation, and the cutting edge diabetes research for which the ADF provides funding exemplifies these traits. Witten is proud to be a long-time supportive partner of the ADF and by the end of 2022, our combined financial contributions will have exceeded $50,000.
We invite you to join the Witten team in its fundraising efforts (https://www.canadahelps.org/me/nsaPjCzu) and also challenge all Alberta Law Firms to meet or beat the fundraising efforts of the Witten Team! As part of its “48 Hours to STOP DIABETES” commitment, Witten will be hosting the webathon from 1:00 to 2:00pm on February 10, 2022. We hope to see you rise up to this challenge and will happily highlight your pledges at the webathon.
“Diabetes is everywhere – in every industry and every business sector. It is time to STOP DIABETES for good.”
Witten LLP is pleased to welcome Justine Mageau and Ada Tang as its newest partners. Congratulations Justine and Ada!
Congratulations Andrea!
December 15, 2021
Congratulations to Andrea Steen who was recently admitted to the Nunavut Bar! Andrea becomes the second lawyer in our office to be called in Nunavut. She is also a member of the Alberta and NWT bar.
Witten LLP recognized as one of Canada's Best Law Firms
The Globe and Mail partnered with Statista to determine Canada’s Best Law Firms based on recommendations from lawyers and clients. This list reflect the 200 firms that received the highest number of recommendations from others in their field.
This award celebrates Witten LLP’s commitment to providing excellent services to clients.
Witten Lawyers participating as LESA faculty
Join Witten LLP lawyers over the coming months as they share their expertise.
The following Witten LLP lawyers are proud to be faculty in Legal Education Society of Alberta seminars:
Witten LLP is pleased to welcome our 2020-2021 articling students, Leigh Acheson, Emma-Lee Kramer, Spencer Marks and Brendon Shabani, as associates, following their respective calls to the bar in September 2021. Please join us in congratulating Leigh, Emma-Lee, Spencer, and Brendon.
12 Witten LLP Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers™ List
Witten LLP is proud of our reputation and the lawyers who work at our firm. Year after year our lawyers are recognized as the best in the industry as ranked by our peers. Congratulations to the following lawyers who were named to the “Best Lawyers" list in 2022:
Jonathan Calvert (Real Estate Law, Commercial Leasing Law and Banking and Finance Law)
