Atty. Sandy Vander Ziel
Sandy Vander Ziel joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2013 and practices exclusively in family law. She is a registered collaborative lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, as well as a dispute resolution officer with the Court of King’s Bench.
Profile Summary
About Sandy Vander Ziel at a glance
Sandy Vander Ziel is a family law and adr attorney based in Calgary, Alberta, practicing at Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP. They have 25+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2001. Admitted to practice in Alberta, Law Society of Alberta (2001). Educated at University of Calgary (J.D., 2000). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Mediation (2026). Serands clients in Calgary, AB and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Sandy Vander Ziel joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2013 and practices exclusively in family law
- She is a registered collaborative lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, as well as a dispute resolution officer with the Court of King’s Bench
- She has practiced in the area of family law at local and national law firms since 2002
- Sandy has significant experience with a variety of methods of Alternate Dispute Resolution including Collaborative law, lawyer assisted mediation, arbitration and interest based negotiation
- Sandy works in all areas of family law including, but not limited, to separation and divorce, parenting plans, child custody, child and spousal support, matrimonial property, as well as Co-habitation and Pre and Post-nuptial agreements
- Sandy has a strong collaborative practice and is known for her in-depth experience with family violence matters and has received training in family violence screening
- Sandy is also a Parenting Co-ordinator and is truly passionate about working with families
- Sandy has had extensive experience appearing at the Court of King’s Bench, the Court of Appeal of Alberta, as well as Provincial Family Court, particularly as a child and youth advocate
- She has represented children through the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Advocacy Program
- Sandy is committed to working in an atmosphere that promotes healthy parenting relationships post-separation so that the best interests of the children are always protected
- She is the past Chair of the Association of Collaborative Professionals and is a volunteer with the Legal Education Society of Alberta as an instructor and evaluator for the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education program
- Sandy is also the past President of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Section
- Sandy has a passion for community involvement and is the Past Chair of the Calgary Youth Justice Society Board of Directors
- During her tenure on the Board, the Sandy Vander Ziel Heart of Change Award was established in her name
- In 2016, Sandy was honoured to receive the Women in Law Leadership Award for service to the community
- Sandy is the past President of the Board of Directors for Sonshine Community Services, a second-stage transitional shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence
- She is truly passionate about her work with Sonshine and the opening of the first children’s centre in North America, which provides children who have been exposed to and/or have been victims of family violence, with therapeutic intervention to work towards breaking the cycle of violence
- Sandy is also on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and was recently appointed as a member on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Sandy is the President of the Calgary Killarney Artistic Swim Club and in her spare time loves to be in the mountains or on the water with her children, husband and Golden Retriever, Winnie
Practice Areas Explained
Sandy Vander Ziel's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sandy Vander Ziel handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Sandy Vander Ziel is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Alberta →
Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.
Sandy Vander Ziel is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr 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 Calgary 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 Calgary or all attorneys in Alberta.
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