Nine DBB Law Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers™ List

Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP is pleased to announce that nine of its lawyers have been named to the 2023 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 make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Nine 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 2023 The Best Lawyers in Canada list:

• Wendy E. Best – Family Law
• Patricia L. Blocksom, Q.C. – Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law
• Caroline P. Lee, Q.C. – Family Law
• Aaron D. Martens, Q.C. – Family Law and Family Law Mediation
• Mark R.D. Sawyer – Real Estate Law
• Gordon Sterchi, Q.C. – Family Law and Family Law Mediation
• Jason L. Wilkins – Family Law
• Beth Younggren – Corporate and Commercial Litigation
• David F. Younggren, Q.C. – Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Wendy E. Best Named to the Best Lawyers in Canada List for Family Law

Wendy has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2006 and was named Calgary Lawyer of the Year for family law in 2010 and 2017. 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.

Patricia L. Blocksom, Q.C. Named to the Best Lawyers in Canada List for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law

Pat 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, and her practice emphasizes negotiated 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).

Caroline P. Lee, Q.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. 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, Q.C. Named to the Best Lawyers in Canada List for Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Aaron is a family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2021. He joined Dunphy Best Blocksom in 1998 and is a partner in the firm. 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 Queen’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 articled with DBB in 2003 and became a partner in 2010. Mark’s practice focuses on the business and commercial aspects of the law, as well as real estate and estate planning. Mark 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, as well as those who are preparing and administering wills and estates.

Gordon Sterchi, Q.C. Named to the Best Lawyers in Canada List for Family Law and Family Law Mediation

Gord has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2019. He articled with Dunphy Best Blocksom in 2001 and became a partner 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 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 has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2020. He practices primarily in the area of family and employment law. Jason acts for both employers and employees and enjoys the perspective both bring. 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 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, contractual disputes, especially in the oil and gas and real estate contexts, shareholder disputes, and collections. Beth has appeared at all levels of the Alberta courts and has acted as counsel in numerous arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.

David F. Younggren, Q.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 DBB Law 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.