Government
The Edmonton City Council consists of a mayor and twelve councilors. Each councilor is elected in an electoral district. The mayor is elected at large. The city council is responsible for approving the city’s budget and developing laws and policies to promote the health and safety of Edmonton residents. The council passes legislation related to the city’s police, fire department, and utilities, including electricity, water supply, waste management, and drainage.
Edmonton is the capital of Edmonton and holds all main areas of government. Edmonton is represented by nine members of Parliament, with one being elected to represent each of its federal electoral districts.
Find the Right Lawyer in Edmonton
If you have suffered harm, injury, or loss in Edmonton through no fault of your own, you may want to find the best Edmonton lawyer near you. Edmonton lawyers who handle lawsuits are called civil attorneys or litigators. Read on to find affordable lawyers in Edmonton.
Lawyers in Edmonton are called barristers and solicitors. In Edmonton, the terms barrister or solicitor are used in place of an attorney. There are no restrictions on the types of law which Edmonton lawyers can practice. Lawyers in Edmonton can appear and represent clients in court.
If you are trying to find a cheap lawyer in Edmonton, read on. You would likely want to consult one of the top lawyers in Edmonton for advice and assistance on:
- Divorce or separation
- Criminal charges
- Drafting a will
- Buying or selling a home
- Buying or selling a business
- Dealing with an estate
- Incorporating a business
- Employment issues
- Personal injury matters
- Motor vehicle accident matters
- Suing or being sued
Edmonton lawyers have ethical obligations to clients. An Edmonton lawyer’s principal responsibility is to ensure that each client obtains the benefit of their legal rights and is made aware of their legal obligations. Edmonton lawyers have three fundamental obligations. Edmonton lawyers must:
- Serve clients competently
- Be loyal to clients
- Keep client communications confidential
Additionally, Edmonton lawyers must provide a certain quality of service. The Law Society of Alberta’s Code of Conduct describes the services lawyers should provide, including:
- Answering legal questions
- Helping clients find answers
- Appearing in court on a client’s behalf
- Mediating disputes
- Counseling clients
- Planning estates
- Administering wills
- Drafting contracts
- Structuring private business deals
- Lobbying government to change laws
- Drafting legislation
- Writing letters and opinions
- Taking steps to avoid litigation
- Negotiating case settlements
- Providing advice about clients’ legal problems and possible outcomes
What Should I Know Before Hiring an Edmonton Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer in Edmonton, do your research on the lawyer’s knowledge, skill, and area of expertise. If you are trying to find an Edmonton lawyer, remember that all communications between you and your Edmonton lawyer regarding your legal representation are protected by the attorney-client privilege. Ask your Edmonton lawyer:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled before?
- How long have you practiced law?
- In what areas of law do you practice?
- Are you a partner or an associate?
- How much of your time is devoted to my particular problem area?
Next, when trying to find a lawyer in Edmonton, ask about their time restraints and level of accessibility:
- Do you have time to deal with my problem quickly?
- How quickly can I expect a resolution?
- How often can we meet?
It’s also important to ask an Edmonton lawyer about costs:
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Approximately how much will your services cost me in total?
- Do you provide clients with a detailed statement of fees?
- Do you charge for the first meeting?
What if I Have a Dispute With My Edmonton Lawyer Concerning Fees?
If you believe that your bill is unreasonable, discuss it with your lawyer first. Many problems with billing are due to genuine misunderstandings about the work done or how it was calculated. It’s always best to discuss your bill with your lawyer first.
Edmonton’s general course of action is a fee review and assessment through the court system.
To file a Notice of Appointment for Review and have it served to your Edmonton lawyer, there is a $100 charge. Filing a notice may reduce or dismiss your lawyer’s fee.
You have six months to review your Edmonton lawyers:
- Retainer agreement from the date it ends
- Fee after it was sent to you
You cannot review your estate lawyer’s charges when you are the beneficiary of the estate. A Legal Aid account cannot be reviewed, either.
What Should I Do if My Edmonton Lawyer Does Not Return Phone Calls or Update Me on the Status of My File?
Edmonton lawyers are obligated to keep clients informed about their files in a reasonable and timely fashion. However, they are not expected to be available to you at all hours of the day. There is an established legal process for every matter. It is wise to let the process run and communicate with your lawyer throughout. If you have concerns, raise them with your Edmonton lawyer.
Cooperation between clients and their lawyers is essential for a successful case outcome. Clients should be prepared to listen to their lawyers carefully. If you feel uninformed about a subject, ask your lawyer about ways to enhance communication without incurring additional costs. Do not harass your lawyer. Attorney-client relationships are working ones that require both parties to act reasonably.
How Do I Become a Lawyer in Edmonton?
Law students or lawyers from other Canadian jurisdictions must apply to become a Law Society of Alberta member before practicing law in Edmonton.
Law students and internationally trained lawyers must complete an “articling term” with an approved principal for eight to 12 months.
Students must complete the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) administered by the Canadian Center for Professional Legal Education (CPLED).
Once a law student has completed their articling term and CPLD program, or a Canadian-trained lawyer’s transfer application has been approved, they can schedule their Bar Call and apply to enroll as a member of the Alberta Law Society.
What is the Articling Process?
The Law Society of Alberta requires the completion of an 8-12 month articling term where hopeful Edmonton lawyers work with a principal to gain hands-on, practical experience in the legal profession.
A principal must be an active member of the Alberta Law Society with a minimum of four years of active practice experience. The Alberta Law Society must approve the principal as a suitable supervisor. A principal can also be a judge or justice. Once prospective Edmonton lawyers have gone through this process, they can legally represent clients.
Locate Lawyers in Edmonton Quickly
You can use a lawyer locating service like LegalMatch to research the background of Edmonton lawyers before hiring them easily. LegalMatch provides contact information for pre-screened lawyers, as well as background information including:
- Their experience and educational information;
- Fee information;
- Malpractice coverage; and
- Reviews from former clients.
Consider using LegalMatch’s services to find the best lawyers in Edmonton today. There, you can compare lawyer ratings in Edmonton. There is no fee to schedule a consultation, and our services are entirely confidential.