Barrister & Solicitor
Norm is a senior Family Law litigator with more than 40 years of experience, having graduated with an LLB from the University of Alberta in 1975. His practice focuses on divorce and separation, including those that involve businesses, farms, or complex property issues. Norm is experienced in preparing all forms of domestic contracts, including Pre-Nuptial/Cohabitation Agreements, Separation Agreements and Minutes of Settlement and Property Agreements. Norm also has extensive training and experience in alternate dispute resolution, particularly Mediation and Arbitration.
Although he is an experienced litigator, Norm believes that where possible, the best outcome for clients is an out of court settlement. He uses his extensive knowledge and background to negotiate favorable results for his clients, but should negotiations prove unsuccessful, Norm is prepared to litigate in court to advance their claims. Norm has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta.
Norm taught as a sessional instructor in Professional Responsibility at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law from 1986 to 1992. He is a past instructor of the Alberta Bar Admission course, and has lectured at innumerable presentations by the Canadian Bar Association, and the Legal Education Society of Alberta. Norm was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (King’s Counsel) in 1994, and was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta in 1993, serving in that capacity for three terms during the period 1993 to 2002. He was also the recipient of the 2014 Law Society of Alberta/Canadian Bar Association Distinguished Service Award, and 2014 University of Alberta Honour Award.
He currently holds a “BV Distinguished” from Martindale Hubbell. The Canadian Legal Expert directory recognizes Norm as a leading lawyer in Family Law. He has been included in “Best Lawyers in Canada” since 2009, and is named “Lawyer of the Year – Edmonton” for 2021 by Best Lawyers in Canada, in the area of Family Law.
Norm is a Member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, and has been a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML) since 2010.
T :: +1 780.425 9777
E :: n.picard@bruyermackay.ca