Janis Pritchard
Janis Pritchard draws on her more than 35 years of expertise with divorce and complex Family Law matters to help clients find solutions that preserve their relationships with their children and protect their financial interests. She is adept at understanding the intricate financial and relational issues of high net worth divorce including blended families, second marriages and multi-generation families. Whether developing a marital agreement, determining parenting arrangements or negotiating a divorce settlement, Janis will customize a solution for each client’s unique family situation.
A sympathetic listener, Janis appreciates the emotional strain and conflict that complicated family issues can cause. She meets clients on their own terms, providing a safe environment where they can feel empowered to make wise decisions. Janis’ deep knowledge of tax, finance and property matters helps clients reach settlements that bring peace of mind and financial security for the future.
Janis practices Family Law exclusively with a practice dedicated to Collaborative Law Negotiation and Mediation. Janis keeps all of her cases private and out of court.
Beginning in 1999, Janis educated lawyers, mental health professionals and financial professionals about Collaborative Divorce. She worked with several training teams to bring Collaborative Law and Collaborative Divorce education and skills to Alberta, Saskatchewan, North West Territories, Yukon, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, New Brunswick, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia, Austria & Australia. The Medicine Hat Collaborative Divorce group revolutionized the divorce process for clients and the practice of Family Law in Medicine Hat.
Admitted to the Bar of the Law Society of Alberta in 1977, Janis joined Pritchard & Co. Law Firm LLP as an associate in 1978 and became a partner in 1980. Janis is proud of her leadership role in bringing the New Ways for Families Program to Medicine Hat, to assist families who are not able to afford legal representation or choose not to be represented by a lawyer, to solve their parenting problems with much less conflict. Away from the office, Janis enjoys swimming, bicycling, and practicing yoga.
Practice Areas
Degrees
JD with Distinction, University of Saskatchewan
BA with Great Distinction, University of Lethbridge
Education
1973 – 1976 Faculty of Law, University of Saskatchewan
1971 – 1973 University of Saskatchewan
1970 – 1971 University of Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
Continuing Education
Advanced Training in Collaborative Divorce
Advanced Training in Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice
Advanced Training in Interest Based Negotiation
Advanced Training in Mediation
Professional Activities and Memberships
Member of Law Society of Alberta
Registered Family Mediator of Alberta Family Mediation Society
Member of Association of Collaborative Professionals (Medicine Hat)
Member of Alberta Collaborative Lawyers Association
Member of International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Member of Medicine Hat Steering Committee for New Ways for Families Program
Member of Medicine Hat Network of Business Professionals
Past Board Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Past Chair, Practitioner’s Standards Committee, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Member of Association for Conflict Resolution
Lifetime Member of Family Mediation Canada
Member of Canadian Bar Association
Member of Medicine Hat & Brooks Bar Association
Past President and Secretary Treasurer of Medicine Hat & Brooks Bar Association
Instructor of Parenting After Separation Seminar, Medicine Hat
Instructor of Interest Based Negotiation Seminar for Alberta Justice Mediators
Past Member of Alberta Provincial Steering Committee, Parenting After Separation Seminar
Course Writer & International Trainer of Collaborative Divorce Team Trainings LLC
Past Board Member for Legal Aid Society of Alberta Southern Appeals Committee
Honours & Awards
The Alberta Centennial Medal – In recognition of outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta, September 1, 2005
The Dr. John Haynes Memorial Award – for outstanding contribution to Family Mediation in the Province of Alberta, April 2008
Community Activities
Regular public speaking in Medicine Hat and Area on Family Law
Legal Brief Column writer for the Medicine Hat News
Legal Brief Column writer for the Brooks Bulletin
Past Committee Member of Medicine Hat School District #76, Special Education Action Plan
Past Board Member of Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church
Past Director of Inter Act Social Theatre Society
Past Chair of Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, Pastoral Relations Committee
Past Board Member of Canadian Parents for French, Medicine Hat Chapter
Past Board Member of Medicine Hat Family YMCA
Past Chair of River Heights E.C.S. Student Advisory Committee
Past Board Member and Chair of Medicine Hat French Immersion Society
Past Chair of Hill Centre – Herald School Development for Handicapped Children
Past Counsellor of Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, Hi-C Teen Group
Past Member of Preventive Social Services Advisory Board, City of Medicine Hat
Founding President of Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society
Past Chair of Task Force for Women in Crisis, Medicine Hat
Past Chair of Au Chapeau Parents Association
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Collaborative Law Practice Resolving Disputes Respectfully
As members of the Association of Collaborative Lawyers of Alberta, we are dedicated to helping separating and divorcing couples reach soloutions while avoiding the court process.
News
March 15, 2013