Bio
Crista offers sophisticated and practical legal guidance to clients and their families as they navigate significant life transitions. Known for her thoughtful and creative approach, she empowers clients to address both legal and personal considerations with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of control over their futures.
As leader of the firm’s estate, trust, and taxation practice groups, Crista is a trusted advisor on estate planning, estate and trust administration, trust structures, and estate litigation. Recognized in 2020 as one of Canada’s Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40, she has made outstanding contributions to the profession. Crista has worked with many of Alberta’s business leaders and their families to develop innovative, comprehensive estate plans and to advocate effectively in complex estate-related disputes.
Crista’s estate planning practice focuses on the intergenerational transfer of wealth in privately held corporations. She regularly advises on trust law and on the design and implementation of trust structures within complex commercial arrangements. Crista also assists executors at all stages of estate administration, including when claims are brought against an estate.
When disputes arise, Crista draws on her extensive experience in estate and trust litigation to represent clients in and out of the courtroom. She has acted as lead counsel in a longstanding, complex litigation involving a First Nation’s Trust. She has been involved in a wide range of estate litigation matters, including elder abuse, family farm entitlements, support for dependent family members, trust variations, challenges to the validity of wills, and executor negligence. Crista has a particular interest in matters involving testamentary capacity and the protection of vulnerable individuals who have experienced elder abuse.
Called to the bar in the Northwest Territories, Crista extends her services to clients in the North, who benefit from her depth of knowledge and experience in estate and trust matters.
Crista recognizes that estate and trust matters often arise during sensitive and challenging periods. She approaches each matter with legal rigour and compassion, taking time to understand family dynamics, goals, and concerns. Her candid, well-considered advice helps clients make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.