• CHECK THAT S/HE IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE ALBERTA LAW SOCIETY.
• Review their Notices of Suspensions and Disbarments
  A phone call to the Alberta Law Society at (403) 229-4700 in Calgary or (403) 429-3343 in Edmonton is all it takes. You could also try 1-800-661-9003.
• Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
• Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance. What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
• Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
• Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
• Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
• Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.

• Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file.

Rate Your Lawyer FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LAWYER IN ALBERTA Generally, complaints to any Law Society are futile. Your complaint will be treated with a lack of respect and your word will not be accepted over that of any lawyer. Nevertheless, complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact. KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT! Do you have a complaint about your lawyer's bill? Please consult our page on dealing with lawyer's bills. There is a separate court procedure, known as an assessment, to deal with these complaints. It is not done by the Law Society. Assessment of lawyer's bills is done through the Court, not your local Law Society. Please look in the government section of the telephone book under Courts for the telephone number of the office near you. Ask the Alberta Law Society for their "RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT" and use and read them to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. THE LAW SOCIETY OF ALBERTA Toll free 1-800-661-9003 To file complaints with the Alberta Law Society write, fax or email them at:
N. Whitman, President The Law Society of Alberta 600-919-11th Ave S W Calgary AL T2R 1P3 Tel: (403)229-4700 Fax: (403) 228-1728 Send your complaint via email to the Alberta Law Society's Calgary fax machine.	N. Whitman, President The Law Society of Alberta 1900-10104-103rd Ave S W Edmonton AL THJ 0H8 Tel: (403) 429-3343 Fax: (403) 424-1620 Send your complaint via email to the Alberta Law Society's fax machine.
President Gordon W. Flynn, Q.C., C.A. Felesky Flynn #2250, 10104 - 103 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 0H8 Tel: (403) 428-8310 Fax: (403) 421-4865 felesky@planet.eon.net	President Elect Terrance D. Clackson, QC Clackson & Mochan #200, 10009 - 101 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0X9 Tel: (403) 539-9300 Fax: (403) 539-9320 tdclack@telusplanet.net
Secretary Peter Freeman, Q.C. The Law Society of Alberta #600, 919-11th Avenue South West Calgary, AB T2R 1P3 Tel: (403) 229-4700 Fax: (403) 228-1728 secretar@lawsocietyalberta.com	The Law Society of Alberta Allison Mackenzie Communications Director Law Society of Alberta Legal Education Society of Alberta
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT: The Law Society of Alberta has ignored our requests for information. Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests.

Email copies of brief letters can be sent to local dailies:
Remember to provide your name address and day time phone number if you hope to have your letters published.
Calgary Herald
Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Sun
Alberta Ombudsman

You may qualify for legal aid. Contact the Legal Aid office in your community or call 427-7575 in Edmonton or 297-2260 in Calgary.