Wendy 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.
Wendy joined Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1982 and became a partner in 1986. Wendy was appointed King’s Counsel in 1994. She acts primarily for high-net-worth individuals and families. While she settles most matters, Wendy’s practice includes litigation.
She was inducted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers in 2008. She has been selected by Best Lawyers in Canada annually since 2006 and was recognized as the Calgary Family Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in Canada™, in both 2010 and 2017. She has been named annually in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a recommended leading practitioner in Family Law. In 2018, she was awarded both the Canadian Bar Association/Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for “Service to the Profession” and the Women in Law “Leadership Award for Leadership in the Profession (Private Practice)”.
Wendy is a sought-after speaker for many organizations, including the National Judicial Institute, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Canadian Tax Foundation, the B.C. Supreme Court Judges Education Program, the Alberta King’s Bench Judges Education Program, the Newfoundland & Labrador Supreme Court Judges Education Program, the Advocates Society, Federation of Law Societies, Calgary Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, Jewish Family Services, Alberta Trial Lawyers Association, and the Legal Education Society of Alberta. She has also published dozens of related papers.
Wendy was appointed to the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee for Alberta from 2017 until 2019. She was on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family (CRILF) for 22 years, including serving as President from 2009 until 2016. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Park Society, serving on the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Finance Committee.
Wendy served as a member of the Alberta Securities Commission for six years and on the Law Society of Alberta’s Family Law Advisory Committee for five years. She was on the Board of the University of Calgary’s Student Legal Assistance for 11 years. Wendy was a member of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Council and served on several of its committees.
Wendy balances her busy practice with regular cycling trips to countries with good food and wine.
Mandatory Family Alternative Dispute Resolution in Alberta
Wendy is experienced in family law alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and can help parties fulfil the court-mandated requirement to participate in an ADR process before their matter can be brought before the Court.
As a skilled ADR practitioner, Wendy understands the impact parenting conflict and family violence can have on children and their development. As a result, she can also assist parties to meet the court-required ADR which must be completed before their family matter may proceed to Court.
Called to the bar
Alberta – 1980