From our beginnings as a law firm in Medicine Hat in the late 1800s continuously to the present, we have served clients in Medicine Hat and the surrounding area. Our firm has had a number of distinguished lawyers and notable community leaders. Ivan C. Rand was a partner at Laidlaw, Blanchard, Rand and Delf as our firm was once known, from 1912 to 1920. Ivan Rand was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1943 where he distinguished himself as one of our most important Canadian jurists and legal scholars. James M. Pritchard came to Medicine Hat as a young lawyer in 1954 and joined the firm of Niblock & Stone. This firm then became the firm of Niblock, Stone & Pritchard, then Stone & Pritchard and eventually Pritchard & Co Law Firm, LLP.
Cathy Regier
Cathy Regier had a lengthy and successful career with our firm. She believed in empowering clients to make sound decisions about their futures, helping them focus on their highest interests, especially children and assets. Cathy supported our clients involvement by explaining complex legal issues, exchanging information openly, and helping clients feel at ease in discussing their situation. Cathy’s practice was focused on Collaborative Law Negotiation and Mediation.
In April 2023, Cathy was appointed as a Justice with the Alberta Court of Justice.
Janis Pritchard
Janis Pritchard was the first female lawyer to have a lengthy and notable career in Medicine Hat. She has broken barriers not only in Medicine Hat, but also in Alberta and Canada. She was instrumental in changing the way couples separated, divorced and parented their children while going through these tremendous challenges, as Janis witnessed the damage these hard times put families through. Janis played an important role in developing the Parenting After Separation Course in Alberta, and taught the course for many years. She grew and refined the practise of Collaborative Law, which she taught across North America, in Austria and in Australia. Janis was a driving force in bringing the New Ways for Families Program to Medicine Hat. All of these programs help families survive their breakup earthquake.
Janis received the John Haynes Memorial Award from the Alberta Family Mediation Society for her outstanding contribution to Family Mediation in Alberta, and The Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the people and Province of Alberta. In addition to her contributions to the law and legal community in Alberta, Janis made significant contributions to the community of Medicine Hat, including sitting as the chair, director or member of many local boards and committees.
Janis retired from her family law practice in 2018 and now enjoys spending time with her family and travelling.
James M. Pritchard, Q.C.
James Pritchard had a long and distinguished legal career of more than fifty years in Medicine Hat. James Pritchard also offered leadership to our profession serving as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta for a number of years. Donald Medhurst and David Wilkins were members of our firm, appointed as Justices of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Frederick Fisher (Ted) was a member of our firm appointed a Judge of The Provincial Court of Alberta. James Pritchard, Stanley Lerner and William Anhorn were members of our firm appointed as Queen’s Counsel of Alberta.