Allison Sears

I grew up in Calgary, obtained my LLB at the University of Saskatchewan in 2004, and have been practicing in Alberta for 21 years. After a couple of years of general commercial litigation, I moved into energy regulatory law and have been practicing almost exclusively in the areas of energy and environmental law since 2008. I made the move because of my abiding love for Administrative Law (she said without sarcasm) and desire to practice before administrative tribunals. That experience would serve me well in the important hearing work of a Bencher. In 2018, after taking a special interest in regulatory enforcement mechanisms, I obtained my LLM from the University of Toronto in criminal law, with a thesis focused on regulatory prosecutions and administrative penalties.

I do not find the practice of law easy, but I do find it rewarding, particularly for its ability to satiate my intellectual curiosity and for its seemingly endless resilience-building opportunities. I am grateful to be a member of this profession and have long hoped to be able to give back to my community by becoming a Bencher and working to protect the public interest in the administration of justice. This would afford me the opportunity to bring my empathy, commitment to continuing legal education, and knowledge of administrative law to bear on the challenging issues currently facing our profession, the Law Society, and its members.

If you have worked with me or have had a file opposite me, you know that I am hardworking, ethical, reasonable, and while I take my work very seriously, I do not take myself too seriously. Though I love the sound of my own voice, I listen very carefully and you could expect me to bring the same approach to performing the role of Bencher.

In addition to my extensive service on not-for-profit boards and committees in the areas of film, theatre, and energy law, I have taught Administrative Law for three years in the University of Calgary’s Foreign Trained Lawyers Program. This latter experience opened my eyes to credentialing issues and the unique challenges faced by internationally trained lawyers seeking admission in Alberta. Throughout my career and personal life, I have observed that mental health challenges exist throughout society. That experience has informed my view that sound public-interest governance requires thoughtful decision-making that recognizes this reality and avoids reinforcing or contributing to stigma associated with mental health.

I am a proud member of Alberta’s LGBTQ+ community and a mom to two young sons. When not lawyering, I enjoy spending time with my family and curating an unending series of exciting experiences intended to create core memories for my sons that I fear are going largely unnoticed or seriously underappreciated. I also love coffee, music, and documentaries, and I still play hockey in the Southern Alberta Women’s Hockey Association despite my aging and failing body.

Thank you for considering me.