Atty. Karen A. Smith
Karen is an experienced senior lawyer who articled with the Ontario Court of Appeal to the Chief Justice of Ontario and practiced with a large law firm in Toronto. She joined Parlee McLaws in 1993.
Profile Summary
About Karen A. Smith at a glance
Karen A. Smith is a trusts and government attorney based in Edmonton, Alberta, practicing at Parlee McLaws LLP. Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Administrative and Public Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026). Serands clients in Edmonton, AB and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Karen is an experienced senior lawyer who articled with the Ontario Court of Appeal to the Chief Justice of Ontario and practiced with a large law firm in Toronto
- She joined Parlee McLaws in 1993
- Her main area of practice is civil litigation with a strong emphasis on professional regulatory work
- Karen has a diverse background working with a variety of clients and acts on behalf of numerous colleges and associations (including the Alberta College of Social Workers) as lead legal counsel, and with other tribunals and professionals dealing with matters as independent counsel and responding on behalf of regulated members to regulatory processes
- She has appeared before all levels of court, including Courts of Appeal and numerous administrative tribunals
- Karen is also experienced in mediations and arbitrations having been involved in more than 300 such processes
- Karen is the senior lawyer responsible for the Wills and Estates Practice Group
- Karen has been a sessional instructor with the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law since 2008
- She presently teaches in the areas of Advocacy and Professional Responsibility and Ethics
Practice Areas Explained
Karen A. Smith's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Karen A. Smith handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Karen A. Smith is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Alberta →
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Karen A. Smith is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Alberta →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Alberta
Practicing law in Alberta. Legal matters in Alberta are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Edmonton are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Alberta state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Alberta brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Alberta courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Alberta attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Edmonton or all attorneys in Alberta.
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