Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP is pleased to announce that eleven of its lawyers have been named to the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

Best Lawyers – Recognizing Excellence for Over 40 Years

“Best Lawyers was founded in 1981 with the purpose of highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “We are proud to continue to serve as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals worldwide.”

Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006, and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries.

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in Canada list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and good standing.

Eleven DBB Law Lawyers Named to the Best Lawyers in Canada List

DBB Law would like to congratulate the following firm members for being named to the 2024 The Best Lawyers in Canada list:

Patricia L. Blocksom, K.C. – Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law and “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law in the Calgary Area

Wendy E. Best, K.C. – Family Law

Caroline P. Lee, K.C. – Family Law

Aaron D. Martens, K.C. – Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Mark R.D. Sawyer – Real Estate Law

Gordon Sterchi, K.C. – Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Jason L. Wilkins – Family Law

Beth Younggren – Corporate and Commercial Litigation

David F. Younggren, K.C. – Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Fulvio M. Durante – Real Estate Law

Sandy Vander Ziel – Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Patricia L. Blocksom, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Alternative Dispute Resolution And Family Law and Named “Lawyer of the Year” in Calgary Area

Patricia Blocksom has been a partner with Dunphy Best Blocksom since 1990 and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2006. She is a skilled senior matrimonial lawyer who has focused her practice on negotiating resolutions to complex property, support, and custody settlements. Pat’s current practice focuses on mediation and arbitration in family and estate law. She also advises on and prepares pre-nuptial, cohabitation and post-nuptial agreements. Pat was previously named Calgary Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in 2009 (Family Law), 2014 (Alternative Dispute Resolution), 2016 (Family Law), and 2018 (Alternative Dispute Resolution).

Pat has also been named as Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in the 2024 Family Law category. Only one lawyer in each practice area and designated geographic area is honoured as the “Lawyer of the Year”. Based on peer review ratings, these lawyers are chosen based on their particularly impressive voting averages. This is a highly coveted award and receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities. This award also recognizes the lawyer’s professionalism and integrity.

​Wendy E. Best, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law

Wendy Best has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2006 and was named Calgary Lawyer of the Year for family law in 2010 and 2017. Wendy joined Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1982 and became partner in 1986. She has a well-established family law practice and has earned ongoing recognition as a leading family law practitioner since being called to the bar in 1980. She acts primarily for high-net-worth individuals and families. While she settles most matters, Wendy’s practice includes litigation.

Caroline P. Lee, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law

Caroline Lee is a senior family law practitioner specializing in family law and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. She joined Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1989 and became a partner in the firm in 1994. Caroline’s professional accomplishments were recognized in the first and second editions of “The Best Lawyers in Canada” in 2006 & 2008 and in all subsequent editions. She has been included as a leading practitioner in family law by the L’Expert Directory since 2005.

Aaron D. Martens, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law And Family Law Mediation

Aaron Martens is a family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer. He joined Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1998 and is a partner in the firm. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2021. Aaron’s experience in family law matters includes being counsel on a wide variety of family and special chambers applications, as well as adoption work. He has represented clients in trials at Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench and has made appearances at the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Aaron has also conducted numerous mediations and arbitrations in family law matters.

Mark R.D. Sawyer Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Real Estate Law

Mark Sawyer became a partner in Dunphy Best Blocksom in 2010 and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2022. Mark’s practice focuses on the business and commercial aspects of the law, as well as real estate and estate planning. He works with many privately held businesses, advising them on their corporate, financing, contract and shareholder matters. Mark provides advice as well on the incorporation of new businesses and the sale and purchase of existing companies. He also acts for clients who are buying, selling and refinancing residential and commercial real estate and those who are preparing and administering wills and estates.

Gordon Sterchi, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law And Family Law Mediation

Gordon Sterchi has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2019. He articled with Dunphy Best Blocksom in 2001 and became a partner in the firm in 2010. He practices in the area of family law as both a litigator and a mediator and arbitrator. He has also acted as counsel for landowners in surface rights matters in Alberta. Gord has previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Flames Ambassadors and has also acted as President of the Calgary Bar Association.

Jason L. Wilkins Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law

Jason Wilkins is a partner in Dunphy Best Blocksom and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2020. He practices primarily in the area of family and employment law, acting for both employers and employees as he enjoys the perspective that each brings. Jason is experienced in all facets of property disputes, spousal support, custody/access and child support. He has a particular interest in Hague Convention (international child abduction) cases. He is an experienced mediator/arbitrator and has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Beth Younggren Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Corporate & Commercial Litigation

Beth Younggren is a partner in Dunphy Best Blocksom’s civil litigation and dispute resolution team. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2021. Beth maintains a diverse civil litigation practice and specializes in advising clients with respect to construction litigation, including builders’ liens, and contractual disputes, particularly in the oil and gas and real estate contexts, shareholder disputes, and collections. Beth has appeared before all levels of the Alberta courts and has acted as counsel in numerous arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.

David F. Younggren, K.C. Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Corporate & Commercial Litigation

David Younggren, specializes in civil litigation and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2020. David became a partner of Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1993 and has an established civil litigation practice, including corporate contractual litigation, shareholder disputes, wrongful dismissal, real estate litigation, builders’ liens and collection matters. He has appeared before all levels of Court, including a successful appearance on a criminal appeal (R. v. Egger) in the Supreme Court of Canada and appearances as Ad Hoc Discipline Counsel for the Law Society of Alberta.

Fulvio M. Durante Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Corporate & Commercial Litigation

Fulvio Durante is a partner in Dunphy Best Blocksom and has extensive experience in his business and estate-oriented practice. Fulvio is committed to mentoring new members of the legal profession and is a member of the DBB Law Articling Committee. He has previously instructed the bar admission courses and at the University of Calgary Law School, and enjoys presenting to organizations on topics relevant to both individuals and entrepreneurs. He has completed his training as a collaborative lawyer, is an appointed executive of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts subsection, and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Calgary. Fulvio is also a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) member and holds a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation.

Sandy Vander Ziel Named To The Best Lawyers In Canada List For Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Sandy Vander Ziel exclusively practices family law and is a partner in Dunphy Best Blocksom. She is a registered collaborative lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, and dispute resolution officer with the Court of King’s Bench. She is passionate about promoting healthy parenting relationships post-separation and helps clients resolve a variety of family law-related issues. She has been trained in family violence screening and is a Parenting Co-ordinator. Sandy has extensive experience appearing before the Court of King’s Bench, the Court of Appeal of Alberta, and the Provincial Family Court. She has also represented children through the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Advocacy Program. Sandy is a past President of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Section and past President of the Board of Directors for Sonshine Community Services. During her tenure on the Board or Directors for the Calgary Youth Justice Society, an Award was established in her name.

Congratulations to all and to Patricia Blocksom, K.C. for Lawyer of the Year!