Our Team

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
2017

Education 
Bachelor of Commerce (University of Alberta)
Juris Doctor (University of Alberta)

Practice History
HGA Law LLP (July 2024 – Present)
MLT Aikins LLP (May 2016 – July 2024)

Specialization(s)
Corporate & Commercial Litigation
Insolvency & Restructuring
Construction Litigation
Commercial Leasing Disputes
Employment Law
Debt Enforcement & Collections

Community
United Way, GenNEXT Committee Member (2021-2022)
Alberta Lawyer’s Assistance Society, AssistFit Committee Member (2016-2018)
Student Legal Services Criminal Law Project, Caseworker/Dayleader (2015-2017)
Kamloops RCMP, Victim Services Worker (2013-2015)

Representative Work

Commercial Litigation Engagements

• Lesenko v Wild Rose Ready Mix Ltd, 2024 ABKB 333 (Construction) – counsel for Wild Rose Ready Mix on the successful appeal of a decision to declare certain liens against funds posted into Court to be invalid.
• Confidential Client (Shareholder Dispute) – successfully negotiated a multi-million dollar mediated settlement between the shareholders of a solar power development company.
• Shelter Canadian Properties Limited v Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, 2023 ABCA 74, on appeal from Shelter Canadian Properties Limited v Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, 2021 ABQB 217 – acted for a large Real Estate Investment Trust in a successful trial against its insurer for the denial of its claim for rental loss following the Fort McMurray wildfires, and on appeal of the trial judge’s decision.
• 1353678 Alberta Ltd v High Profile Cannabis Corp, 2023 ABKB 443 – acted for igh ihHigh Profile Cannabis Corp. in foreclosure proceedings commenced by the seller of certain lands pursuant to a vendor take back mortgage.
• HML Contracting Ltd v Pinder, 2022 ABCA 185 – successfully defended an appeal of a judgment on  a personal guarantee following a contentious receivership proceeding.
• HML Contracting Ltd v Pinder, 2022 ABCA 184, on appeal from HML Contracting Ltd v Twisted Pair Technical Services Inc, 2021 ABQB 899 – successfully defended against an Application and the subsequent appeal of the decision by the Chambers Justice to deny a stay of a judgment on a debt action until the conclusion of a shareholder dispute action involving the same parties.
• Nixon v Gruschynski, 2022 ABCA 205, on appeal from Nixon v Gruschynski, 2022 ABQB 80 – successfully appealed the dismissal of an Application for partial summary judgment against a process server for swearing a false Affidavit.
• Confidential Client (Shareholder Dispute) – successfully negotiated a mediated settlement of a shareholder dispute between partners in a dental practice.
• 2189252 Alberta Inc (Tutti Frutti Breakfast & Lunch) v Harvard Developments Corporation, 2021 ABQB 977 (Commercial Lease Dispute) – Successfully defended an Application by a commercial tenant for relief from forfeiture on the basis that the Tenant’s conduct was unreasonable and carried out in bad faith.
• Pinder v HML Contracting Ltd, 2021 ABCA 207 – successfully obtained security for costs in the appeal of a personal judgment against the director of Twisted Pair, following lengthy and contested receivership proceedings.
• Glenn Thompson (Re), 2020 BCEST 8 (CanLII) (Employment Law) – successfully challenged a decision by the Director of Employment Standards to attribute personal liability to an individual director of Berjak Construction Ltd.

Insolvency Engagements

• Altek Industrial Supply Ltd., Altek Supply USA Inc., and HDIM Protective Coatings (CCAA): acted as counsel to the Altek Group in the CCAA Proceedings.
• 1616750 Alberta Ltd. o/a Redline Trucking (Receivership): acted as counsel to the Debtor and its principals in the Receivership of Redline Trucking.
• J.W. Carr Holdings Ltd. (CCAA): acted as counsel to J.W. Carr Holdings Ltd. et al. (“Carr Group”), a group of seven Alberta corporations which owned a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate properties in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove and Wetaskiwin, Alberta.  At the commencement of the CCAA, the Carr Group had a total of 18 secured creditors and over a hundred unsecured creditors.  In the 13 months the Carr Group was in CCAA, it successfully liquidated 81 properties and recovered over 43 million dollars for the benefit of its various creditors.
• Re: Chan (Bankruptcy – Intervenor Application): acted as counsel for the Alberta Association of Insolvency Restructuring Professionals (“AAIRP”) in its capacity as intervenor in the matter of Re Chan.  See also: Exclusion Principles: Balancing BIA Exemption Entitlements with Creditor Rights, 2022 CanLIIDocs 4308
• Shamrock Valley Enterprises Ltd. (Receivership): acted as counsel to a significant unsecured creditor in respect of the receivership of Shamrock Valley Enterprises Ltd.
• 2399430 Alberta Ltd. & 2399449 Alberta Ltd. (Receivership): acted as counsel for the debtors in respect of the receivership of two numbered companies which owned several commercial real estate properties in Edmonton.
• 915245 Alberta Ltd. o/a Prairie Tech Oilfield Services (NOI and Bankruptcy): acted as counsel to a member owned cooperative and major unsecured creditor of Prairie Tech.
• Twisted Pair Technical Services Ltd. (Receivership): acted as counsel to the major secured creditor, HML Contracting Ltd., in the Receivership of Twisted Pair.
• Leigh Builders Ltd. and Leigh Commercial Builders Ltd. (Receivership): acted as counsel to the Royal Bank of Canada in a successful contested Receivership Application.
• Prime Vet Group of Companies (Receivership): acted as counsel to a secured creditor in obtaining an Order appointing a receiver of an Edmonton-based group of veterinary clinics.

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
2011

Education 
Bachelor of Commerce (Univeristy of Alberta)
Juris Doctor (University of British Columbia)

Practice History
Dentons Canada LLP (formerly Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP) (2010-2011)
Bennet Jones LLP (2011-2017)
HGA Law LLP (2017 – Present)

Specialization(s)
General Corporate Counsel
Acquisitions and Divestitures

Community
Volunteer Alberta, Director (2011-2015)
Crime Stoppers, Director (2015-2020)
Knights of Columbus Hockey Club, Coach (2021-Present)

Representative Work

• Confidential Client: Divestiture of a manufacturing business with operations in Canada, the United States, and mainland China ($30 million purchase price)
• Altek Industrial Supply: Spin out of a distribution business with operations in Canada and the United States ($20 million transaction value)
• Confidential Client: Acquisition of a recurring monthly revenue aggregator ($12 million purchase price)
• True North Valve Solutions: Divestiture of a valve distribution business and negotiation of partnership with Alexander Valve Supply LP
• Confidential Client: Strategic advice concerning a shareholder dispute and completion of a forced buy-out (shotgun) transaction.
• C2 Recycling: Negotiation of a contract for the processing of organic waste from City of Edmonton green bins

About Jason

Jason and his wife Melissa founded HGA Law LLP in 2017. They have four active boys and are always on the go with sports and other activities. Outside of HGA and family, Jason enjoys socializing at Q Cigar Room, lake life, and playing golf.

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
2011

Education 
Bachelor of Laws (Univeristy of Alberta, 2010)

Practice History
Reynolds Mirth Richards and Farmer LLP (2010-2014)
HGA Law LLP (2017 – Present)

Specialization(s)
Trust and Estate Planning
Estate Administration
Commercial Real Estate

Community
Student Legal Services of Edmonton, Volunteer (2007-2009)
Scouts Canada, Scouter (2022 – Present)

Representative Work

• Drafting comprehensive estate plans, including business and succession planning, tax planning, integration with family trusts and other complex matters
• Planning and implementing tax and wealth preservation strategies for high-net-worth individuals and family businesses, including the use of trusts, charitable gifting and life insurance policies to optimize estate tax savings
• Guiding executors and administrators through the estate administration process, including grants of probate/administration, liquidating and distributing assets, creditor protection, tax matters and resolving disputes amongst beneficiaries
• Real estate and condominium law practice, including acting for a developer of several high-rise condominium projects in Edmonton

About Melissa

Melissa and her husband, Jason, founded HGA Law LLP in 2017. They have four active boys and are always on the go with sports and other activities. Outside of HGA and family, Melissa enjoys running, playing the piano,dand amateur photography.

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
1987

Education 
Bachelor of Arts with distinction (University of Alberta)
Juris Doctor with distinction (University of Alberta)

Practice History
Bryan & Company LLP (1986-2018)
HGA Law LLP (2018 – Present)

Specialization(s)
Mediation
Civil Litigation

Community
King’s Counsel appointment (2012)
Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Past Chair and Board Member
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Past Chair and Board Member
Chrysalis Society, Past Chair and Board Member
ABC Head Start Society, Past Board Member
City of Edmonton Advisory Board for Services for Persons with Disabilities, Past Board Member
Brain Care Centre, Past Board Member
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition to contributions to Canada, Recipient

Representative Work

• Seasoned mediator brings decades of litigation experience into the facilitation of effective communication and resolution between litigants. Mediating complex disputes by creating a neutral and constructive environment where settlements can be achieved in a fair, reasonable and non-confrontational manner.
• Over 35 years of experience in civil litigation in the areas of personal injury, insurance coverage, fire, flood and construction loss, products liability, shareholder disputes, and wills and estates. Considerable trial experience in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and Court of Appeal of Alberta, as well as participation in numerous alternate dispute resolution venues, including JDR’s and mediations.

About Nancy

Nancy and her husband love to spend their non-working time enjoying golf, running, working out and traveling to different countries around the world.

To book a mediation, contact Nancy directly at ncumming@hgalaw.ca

Curriculum Vitae

Education 
Law Society of Alberta (1997)
Law Society of British Columbia (1997)
LLB (Univeristy of Alberta)
Bachelor of Arts (University of British Columbia)

Practice History
HGA Law LLP (2017 – Present)

Specialization(s)
Corporate Commercial Law
Intellectual Property Law
International Business Transactions
International Structures for Corporations
International Finance
International Contracts

Representative Work

• Swype, Investopedia: Assisted start-up
• Apple, Microsoft, Amazon: represented companies in transactions

About Doug

Doug is an executive professor at both the School of Business and the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta and has written two textbooks. He has won several teaching awards at the University of Alberta, including the Pringle/Royal Sessional Teaching Excellence Award. Douglas also teaches legal writing and contract drafting to lawyers within the legal education arms of the Law Societies of Alberta and British Columbia. Doug was also named “Edmonton’s Favourite Lawyer” once and has been in the top three for another year. When he’s not working, Doug spends time with his wife Linda, who is a personal trainer and certified nutritionist.

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
2015

Education 

Juris Doctor (University of Alberta)

Practice History
HGA Law LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Surface Rights & Land Compensation Boards

Specialization(s)
General Corporate Counsel
Acquisitions and Divestitures
Commercial Real Estate

Representative Work

• Worked at an international law firm
• Confidential Client: Acted as purchaser for professional sports team
• Large commercial property/business sales

About Ryan

Ryan likes to make time to work on his golf game in the summer months, and to hit the rink for hockey in the winter. A native to both Montreal and Langley, BC, Ryan now calls Edmonton home (although he still roots for the Blue Jays and Seahawks). Ryan enjoys spending time with his growing family. 

About Pam

Pam always wanted to be a lawyer but took the long road around. Prior to attending the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, she used her BScN and MBA degrees for several years as an entrepreneur, and in healthcare, and in real estate. This extensive business and management experience, as well as a love for numbers, has made tax, corporate, and commercial law an optimal career choice.

Pam’s  teenage son is attending university in Rome, Italy, on a soccer scholarship as a goalkeeper. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, board games, rock climbing in the Rockies, playing recreational soccer, and mountain bike riding in Edmonton River Valley’s beautiful single-track trails.

Curriculum Vitae

Bar Admission
2018

Education 
Juris Doctor (University of Alberta)
BA in Sociology with Distinction (University of Alberta)

Practice History
The City of Edmonton
Bishop & McKenzie LLP

Specialization(s)
Corporate & Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Debt Enforcement & Collections
Employment Law

Community
Volunteer, Civil Claims Duty Counsel (CCDC) with Pro Bono Law Alberta (2022-2023)
Member, Mental Health & Awareness Committee with Canadian Bar Association (2020-2022)
Holiday Fundraising Organizer, Edmonton with Animal Justice Canada (2018-2019)
Involvement in the Faculty of Law (2014-2017): Environmental Law Students Association, Pro Bono Students Canada, Student Legal Services Legal Education & Reform Project, Canons of Construction, Student Legal Services Civil Law Project, and Mental Health & Wellness Committee

About Vicky

Vicky’s passion for advocacy, drive for change and creative innovation is deeply rooted in her identity as a first generation Canadian. She uses her fierce advocacy, innovative mind, and human approach to the law to not only find actionable solutions, but also to ensure every Client feels empowered throughout the process.

Outside of her passion for law, Vicky enjoys exploring new parks with her kids, eating delicious meals around the table with her family, cozying up on the couch with a good book, and challenging a new puzzle or board game.

Jamie graduated from the U of A Bachelor of Education in 2021, but quickly understood that his passions did not align with that career path. He knew what he wanted, and decided to make a radical career change and search out a career in the legal industry. As a corporate paralegal with HGA Law LLP, he found a path that matches with his career goals, and we are very happy he made the change. When he’s not helping our legal team drive value for our clients’ businesses, he loves to fish, cook, and write. He’s analytical, and when given a challenge he can make it to the top, like when he became the three-time champion in his fantasy football big money league. He can always be found rooting for his hometown Oilers though, which makes him an incredible fit in this super-fan office culture.

Rasheed is an internationally trained lawyer from Barbados, bringing over seven years of diverse legal experience in collections and corporate law. He earned an LLB from the University of the West Indies and has since developed a robust career in business law, particularly in the realm of not-for-profit organizations and charities, as well as trademark law. Recently relocating to Edmonton from Toronto, he is now focused on leveraging his expertise to serve the local community while completing an LLM in Canadian Common Law at York University.

He has a proven track record of commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice earning him a reputation as a trusted resource to any organization. Outside of work, Rasheed is a passionate soccer fan, dedicating time to both following the sport and enjoying outdoor activities. He also loves to unwind with a captivating novel by J.R. Ward or spending time with family and his dog (Khloe) on hikes.

Currently, Rasheed balances his academic pursuits with his professional endeavors, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous learning and growth. He is eager to connect with fellow legal professionals and community members in Edmonton, fostering relationships that contribute to both personal and professional development.

With a unique blend of international experience and a developing understanding of local legal landscapes, Rasheed is poised to make a meaningful impact in his new environment.

Alethea joined the HGA Law LLP team with more than 15 years of experience working as an administrator in a variety of fields including finance, dental, and construction. She’s a self-described “boots on the ground” type of person, and enjoys learning as much as possible from her work experience. Whenever possible, she likes to spend time with her husband and four children, along with her two cats and her dog. She’s an adventurer at heart, with a desire to get her motorcycle license and visit to visit Iceland, not to mention her aptitude for West Coast swing dancing.

With a Bachelor of Education, Matei has experience working as a teacher, as well as a summer student at Student Legal Services of Edmonton and the Alberta Human Rights Commission. He enjoys reading, movies, wine, and soccer, and he also speaks Romanian!

Brody earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta and holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Prior to pursuing a legal career, he built a strong foundation in leadership and client service through several years in the hospitality industry, including management roles. A former varsity athlete, Brody played football for 14 years, most notably with the Saint Mary’s Huskies, and was invited to the CFL Combine in 2020. Outside the office, he enjoys travelling with his partner Jen, cross-country running, working on his golf game and playing rugby.

With over 20 years of experience in corporate and securities law, I am now bringing my expertise to litigation. Throughout my career, I have worked at several distinguished law firms, including McManus Thomson, Maples & Calder, Gowlings, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Torys LLP, and Field LLP.

In addition to my legal career, I have successfully built and managed businesses, including a highly rated bed and breakfast in the Rocky Mountains and a virtual golf simulator business in Stony Plain. These ventures have honed my skills in operations, client relations, and business development.

I am passionate about problem-solving, enjoy working in collaborative environments, and appreciate the strong sense of community at HGA. Outside of work, I enjoy puzzles, baking, outdoor activities, and science fiction. I also share my home with two orange cats, Bubs and Harley.

With a passion for creating operational excellence, Mary specializes in developing intuitive processes that boost productivity and deliver results. She thrives in environments where she can make meaningful impacts by streamlining workflows and building efficient systems. Her approach combines practical solutions with a focus on organization, allowing businesses to concentrate on growth rather than operational challenges.

When not optimizing operations, Mary can be found exploring the world with her favorite destinations being Cape Town, Reykjavik, and Paris, with Japan next on her travel wishlist. Raised on Vancouver Island, she has a deep connection to the ocean and has even gone cage diving with sharks! She enjoys recreational hiking in the mountains and considers herself a foodie, probably stimulating the local economy by trying new restaurants and wine spots. Mary shares her life with her husband and their energetic daughter.