Cooper Regel is a Law Firm operating from Sherwood Park and Yellowknife offices. We specialize in Aboriginal Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Administrative and Tribunal Law, Residential School and Abuse Claims.
STEVEN COOPER – Partner
A former resident of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Steven Cooper articled in Hay River, NWT and practiced there for eight years at the start of his legal career. Since moving to Alberta in 1997, he has traveled, practiced, and worked extensively in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. As a member of the Baxter National Class Action consortium, Steve was part of the committee that helped to negotiate the $5 billion national Residential School settlement. Steve has lectured for the Legal Education Society of Alberta and the American Bar Association. He was editor-in-chief of the Nunavut Bar Admission course materials, a member of the Editorial Board of NWT Reports, and Chairperson of the Legal Services Board of the NWT. In 2010, Steve was appointed Chair of the Indigenous Rights Committee of the International Bar Association. Steve has argued before all courts in Alberta, the NWT, and the Nunavut Court of Justice. Steve is a volunteer with the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, a longstanding member of the Elite Tae Kwon Do club in Sherwood Park, and an active contributor in local schools doing educational presentations about Nunavut.
ALAN REGEL – Partner
After graduating from Law at the University of Saskatchewan 1985, Alan Regel started his career in private practice in Yellowknife specializing in civil and criminal litigation. In 1992, he joined Justice Canada’s Yellowknife Regional Office as a criminal prosecutor. Two years later, he was appointed Civil Group Head for Justice Canada in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut where he worked on civil litigation, environmental prosecutions, and several high profile criminal cases. Alan served as the vice-president of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories, president of the NWT Defense Lawyer’s Association. After a career hiatus to pursue his passion for car restoration, Alan joined the team of lawyers working on the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential School Class in 2015. Alan has a keen interest in aboriginal and treaty rights and continues to assist abuse survivors in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. He is an active member of the Admissions Committee of the Northwest Territories Law Society. Alan enjoys karate, hockey, restoring classic cars, and woodworking. Alan and Maureen, his wife of over 35 years, live in Sherwood Park where they enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
MARY GRZYBOWSKA – Associate
Mary Grzybowska is a lawyer certified in Canada and in Poland. Mary obtained her combined JD and LLM and wrote her master thesis on intellectual property and contribution in kind. After moving to Canada in 2013, she worked as a paralegal and completed the Federation of Law Societies program at the University of Alberta.
Since 2014, Mary has been working on class action lawsuits, along with many other claims focusing on charter based, abuse, relocation and indigenous issues, including the Labrador Residential school case and the Ahiarmiut relocation claim, both leading to historical settlements. She is currently counsel on many significant cases including the Indian Hospitals class action, Forced Sterilization class action, Health Privacy Breach class action, RCMP discrimination class actions and Igloolik Skin Grafting claim, amongst others.
Mary can assist clients in English and Polish and her practice focuses on class actions, civil litigation and sexual abuse claims.
JENNA JOYCE BROOMFIELD – Associate
Jenna Joyce Broomfield (J.J. Broomfield) is an Inuk born and raised in North West River, Nunatsiavut/Labrador. Jenna first moved to Treaty 6 Territory for University and graduated with a degree in Native Studies and a Certificate in Aboriginal Governance. Jenna was inspired to enter law as a means of contributing back to Indigenous communities. After graduating from the University of Alberta, Jenna originally focused on Aboriginal law and Civil Litigation. Jenna is called to the Bar in Alberta and Nunavut and now practices Civil Litigation, Class Actions and Criminal Law with a primary focus on northern files. Although there is rarely “spare time”, Jenna is still a managing member/volunteer of Inuit Edmontonmiut Working Group because the work focuses efforts on connecting with Inuit living in the south. Jenna loves to spend time with family, throat sing, learn Inuttitut, Español and Nêhiyawêwin, read works by Indigenous authors and often acquires too many books with the intention of eventually reading them. Jenna is passionate about Indigenous fashion, creating badass outfits and loves to find Indigenous-made jewelry from around the world to accessorize but especially those pieces made by Inuit, First Nations and Métis artists.
RONALD HALABI – Associate
Ronald Halabi was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2004. In 2018, Ronald obtained his Juris Doctor degree with first class distinction from Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia. Prior to his legal education, Ronald had a career as a mortgage associate and owned and operated various businesses in the Edmonton Area. Ronald has been a member of the Alberta Bar since July of 2020. In 2021 he was admitted to the Northwest Territories Bar and 2022 to the Nunavut Bar to assist clients in the North. Ronald’s practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate, wills and estates and corporate matters.
SHANTELLE SMITH – Associate
Shantelle first appeared in the practice of law as a former Judicial Clerk in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Her career carried over as tenure with Cooper Regel as a paralegal, but only after she completed her legal education at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Shantelle was called to the Alberta Bar in January 2022. She is now tackling areas including civil, criminal and commercial ligation, Personal injury and Criminal law. Her dedication for people, advocacy and law drives her to gain a deeper understanding of each practice area. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking her famous Strawberry Cheesecake. Hopping on a plane to any new and exciting destination and learning new moves while getting in a great sweat at kickboxing.
ANITA CARDINAL – Associate
Anita is Nêhiyaw (Cree) and a member of Woodland Cree First Nation situated on Treaty 8 Territory but currently lives in Edmonton with her family. Anita is a new lawyer who aims to work towards justice, truth and upholding Treaty Rights. She entered law school already being in the profession as a paralegal for over a decade and she has been fortunate to work on many class action files here at Cooper Regel such as the Sixties Scoop and Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Women in Alberta and B.C (her mother is the Representative Plaintiff in the AB Class Action). She obtained her Juris Doctor in April of 2022 at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, where she served as President of the Indigenous Law Students Association for 2 terms and at the same time served as President of the National Indigenous Law Students Association and as a Student Representative for the Indigenous Bar Association. She sits on various boards in the province and is also the founder of Indigenous Runner YEG and the Race Director and organizer for the Annual Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk in Edmonton held on the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. She is passionate about trail running and supporting diversity in the sport but she is most passionate about her family and providing a strong voice for human rights issues and children in care.
ZUZANNA LOREK – Articling Student
After earning a BA in English Philology at a University in Poland, Zuzanna moved to Canada in 2009 with a plan on living here for only two years. Having fallen in love with the country and its people, she decided to stay indefinitely. Zuzanna became interested in law and politics while navigating complicated immigration policies, which would allow her to achieve her goal of becoming a Canadian Citizen. The dream came true in June 2018, only six days after her graduation ceremony from the University of Alberta where she earned a BA After Degree with First Class Honors in Political Science. Zuzanna worked as a Paralegal with Cooper Regel for many years, then left to attend the University of Saskatchewan. She started her articling with COOPER REGEL LLP in May 2023. Zuzanna is very excited about gaining experience working in a law firm which tackles issues she is deeply passionate about. Addicted to lattes and milk chocolate, she values time spent with family and friends.
JANANI THILLAINATHAN – Articling Student
Janani is a first-generation Tamil migrant, born and raised on the territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples, also known as Scarborough and Markham, Ontario. Janani graduated as part of the second cohort of the joint degree program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID) at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law. Before pursuing her legal studies, she completed her undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies at Western University.
Janani is passionate about state accountability, criminal law, and the advancement of Indigenous rights and governance. During law school, she worked at the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General, the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, the Environmental Law Centre, and at a legal clinic that provides free advice, assistance and representation to clients who cannot afford a lawyer.
Janani is a big foodie. She also enjoys going to concerts, cheering on the Toronto Raptors, and spending time with family and friends.
KARIE BELL – Office Manager & Paralegal
Karie manages the office in Sherwood Park and Yellowknife. She is experienced in civil and commercial litigation, insurance defence, IP litigation, sexual and other abuse claims, Residential School Claims, personal injury litigation and numerous other litigation processes. She has assisted in matters before all levels of court within Ontario, Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories, including appellate matters at both the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court. She assists in all phases of litigation, from inception through discovery and trial, including organization and analysis of case material, large-scale document production, pre-trial preparation and in-courtroom trial support. She is also our Office and Litigation Manager. Karie has had the great honor and opportunity to assist indigenous peoples with the Residential Schools Class Action, Relocation matters, 60s scoop, and other litigious matters. She is a Commissioner of Oaths in Alberta and Northwest Territories and is a Notary Public for Nunavut. Karie enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters.
KELLY MARTIN – Paralegal
Kelly wears many hats in our Yellowknife office. She a Real Estate Conveyancer for NT and NU and is also our Corporate Paralegal providing support to our lawyers in relation to business incorporation, amalgamation, amendment, continuance, dissolution, revival and extra-provincial registration. She conducts due diligence reviews of minute books and prepares reports on deficiencies, and also prepares all delinquent resolutions and filings. In addition, she handles the annual maintenance of corporate clients’ minute books and filings. Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and son and likes to travel from the cold north to the exotic south: Alberta!
JAMIE GRIFT – Legal Assistant
Jamie is a legal assistant in the Sherwood Park office. She enjoys the challenges of criminal and civil litigation cases, bringing to her work her excellent organization skills and her love of continuous learning. When not working she loves spending time with her three beautiful children. She is a fan of suspense novels and true crime shows and loves hot weather.
BETH BROWN – Legal Assistant
Beth is a criminal and civil litigation Legal Assistant in our Sherwood park office. She is an analytical thinker who enjoys being organized and strives to provide exceptional service. She is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Beth is an avid music lover who enjoys being artistic and spending time with her family.
JACQUELINE RUIZ – Legal Assistant
Jacqueline enjoys the challenges that Real Estate and Litigation cases bring. She is methodical, detailed and truly loves and cares about her quality of her world, which includes her work in Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In her spare time, Jacqueline enjoys travel and new adventures across the globe.
EMILY COOPER – Reception & Administration
Emily is our Receptionist in the Sherwood Park office. She received her undergrad in Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Sociology and minor in Psychology from MacEwan University. She is currently studying for the LSAT and working towards law school. She enjoys expanding her knowledge in the workplace on a daily basis. Aside from the office she has a passion for golf, baking, and travel.
ELAINE POTTER – Legal Assistant
Elaine was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and graduated from the Legal Assistant program in 2005. She has knowledge in various areas of law and is currently learning the litigation process for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Elaine has a bubbly personality and a witty sense of humour. Elaine is also a bartender who enjoys traveling and spending time with friends, family and her fur babies on her time off.
KELLY SMART – Legal Assistant
Kelly was born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta, and is a Real Estate Legal Assistant on our team. Prior to being a Legal Assistant, she worked as a Mortgage Broker Assistant. Kelly enjoys soaking up the sun, coffee, thunderstorms, camping, soccer and dancing silly in the kitchen with her two beautiful girls.
CLAIRE THEOBALD – Legal Assistant
Claire is a Legal Assistant in Sherwood Park, Alberta. After nearly a decade as an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist specializing in crime, law and social justice, Claire graduated with a Legal Assistant diploma in 2022 and joined the Cooper Regel team. Outside of the office, Claire is a semi-professional hot gluer and production designer who spends her off hours yelling too loud at indie wrestling events, binge watching documentaries and chasing after her pets.