Lawyer Monthly Magazine - September 2021 Edition

What motivated you to specialise in family law? - When I was approximately eight years old, my parents separated for a period of time. Fortunately for me, they were able to work out their differences and have been married for over 50 years. However, I believe that that experience, which was traumatic at the time, helped shape me into the lawyer I am today. I can empathise with children whose parents are going through a separation, as well as the parties themselves. In my early days as a young lawyer struggling to build a practice, most of the matters I dealt with were family law in nature. After approximately 8 years of a general practice, I determined that I would focus on family law, given there was a significant need and I felt my skills could best be utilised there. Since doing so, I have run a significant number of family law trials and appeared many times in front of our Court of Appeal. I have discovered that, if anything, over the last nearly 30 years of practice, the need for competent, caring family law practitioners has only grown. I am very proud that our partnership created a firm to fill that need. Which of your career achievements do you feel most proudly about? - I have been involved in a number of trials in which I felt very strongly about my client’s position, the wrongs he/she had suffered, and the need to see justice done. It is those matters that I feel most proud of with respect to my professional achievements. However, as a whole, my proudest achievement has to be the formation of Bruyer & Mackay. We have been able to attract a high calibre of lawyers wanting to practice at our firm. We can offer the public every available service for their family law matters. Despite exponential growth over the last year, we have maintained a close and cohesive group of lawyers and staff. Significant mentoring of associates ensures that quality client services will be provided for a long time to come. What plans do you have for the coming 12 months? - Given the changes over the last 18 months, which included: - Moving to a new location; - Addressing issues with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic; - Doubling our workforce, the partners are hoping for a period of relative calm over the next few months. However, we will be continuing to present at the Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA), teach family law at the University of Alberta, act for children, ensure that each lawyer of our firm carries at least 3 pro bono files, provide free legal information and advice through the Edmonton Community Legal Center, sit on the board of the Association of Family and Reconciliation Courts to improve the lives of children and families through resolution of family conflict, participate on various community fundraising efforts including Habitat for Humanity and the Kids Kottage, and ensure that quality family law services continue to be provided throughout Alberta. Can you tell us about your journey into law and how Bruyer & Mackay came about? - When I was in middle school, my father asked me what my plans were with respect to my post-secondary education. At that time, and without really considering it to any great extent, I indicated that I was going to be a lawyer. I was a huge fan of the British television series Rumpole of the Bailey and had read all of John Mortimer’s stories growing up. Upon graduating high school, I entered University in a Bachelor of Arts Program majoring in Honours Sociology. At that time, you could still get into law school after two years in an undergraduate program. I entered university at 17 and by the age of 19, I was starting my first year of law at the University of Alberta. Following graduation, I articled at a large downtown firm in Edmonton, Alberta, before going to work as a general practitioner in a small firm. It was there that I gained significant experience in all matters related to litigation. I originally thought that I would practice primarily in criminal defence work; however, I quickly realised that any contribution I could make was best suited for family law. I dealt with a number of clients that were devasted by separation, ongoing parenting battles, and concerns over their financial security. In 2005, I met Michelle Mackay when we were on the opposite sides of a very difficult family law file. We decided following that file that we wanted to work together as opposed to opposite each other. In November 2005, I joined Michelle at her firm Gordon Zwaenepoel. Upon the retirement of Marie Gordon and Susan Zwaenepoel, Bruyer & Mackay was formed. The firm has more than doubled in size since its inception in 2019; we currently have 17 lawyers and an equal complement of support staff. In terms of the workplace, we have taken significant steps to ensure that not only our clients are supported but our staff are as well. This includes counselling support for staff, bringing in a psychologist on a quarterly basis to address issues that affect our staff (i.e., dealing with difficult clients, regular firm outings and team building endeavors, and stressing the importance of time off). With respect to firm values, we pride ourselves on the following: Courage - to be leaders in family law taking on the tough issues; Excellence – in client service, advocacy and professionalism; Compassion – truly caring about our clients and members of our firm; Integrity – doing what is right even when it goes against the norms; Trust – we have each other’s back and treat each other as equals as opposed to a traditional hierarchy. About Laura Bruyer 16