Janet Russell, Q.C
Retired: Partner
Education
- Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude in Economics), University of Alberta, 1977
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Toronto, 1984
- Called to the Alberta Bar, 1985
- Program on Negotiation, “Mediating Disputes”, Harvard Law School
- Various Mediation Workshops and Training Sessions
Affiliation
- Calgary Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association, Executive, Construction Law Subsection, 1995 – 1999
- Canadian Bar Association, Executive, Insurance Law Subsection, 1990 – 1994
- Association of Women Lawyers, Founding Member
- Alberta Alpine Ski Association, Board Member
- Alberta Courts, Dispute Resolution Officer
- Alberta Bar Admission Course, Instructor in Civil Litigation
- Legal Education Society of Alberta, Lecturer in Civil Litigation
- GAIN Committee, United Way Calgary, Advisor on Board Governance and Strategic Planning
- Advocates Society
- Alberta Family Mediation Society
Career Highlights
- Training and experience in Mediation, Arbitration and Interest Based Negotiation
- Dispute Resolution Officer for Alberta Courts
- Advising clients on creation of self-insurance reciprocal exchanges
After 37 years of practising law, our colleague, mentor and friend, Janet Russell, Q.C. has retired.
Janet Russell is a respected senior practitioner in family law and insurance defence work, particularly in professional liability matters. Janet has brought her early training and experience as an economist to the analysis of personal and commercial legal matters.
For over twenty-five years, Janet’s family law practice has resolved disputes in child custody and parenting, child support and spousal support, separations, divorce and property division. She has helped clients plan through pre-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements, wills, trusts and estate documents. She comes from a pioneer ranching family and has acted on farm and rural issues.
Janet is experienced as a mediator in both lawyer assisted and client only mediations. She focuses on family law mediations and estate mediations. Ask her how this can create value for you.
Her insurance defence practice largely focuses on commercial and professional liability issues. Janet’s professional liability defence work has encompassed architects, engineers, lawyers and realtors. She has experience in conflict law involving inter-jurisdictional issues and litigation. Janet’s broad litigation and mediation/arbitration experience are an asset for clients.
Janet has assisted clients in creating and operating self-insurance programs, including oil and gas institutions and professional organizations. She has represented clients on professional liability matters and defended disciplinary offences.
In 2010, Janet was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in recognition of her exceptional legal skills and contributions to the profession.
Janet’s personal interests include road bike riding, skiing, gardening, wine tasting and theatre.
Phone: 403.231.8235
Email: j.russell@svrlawyers.com
Paralegal: Nadine MacDonald
Phone: 403.231.8223
Email: n.macdonald@svrlawyers.com
[Janet] thanks for letting me know of your retirement… I’m sad to see you go but hope for your rest and enjoyment for all you’ve done for my family and others… With all my thanks I want to express all my appreciation for all you’ve done for us and all the grief it was to deal with! You were the right fit.
I write this review based on my experience when working with Stacey Lee as my legal representative. Simply put, Stacey is attentive (or vigilant if you prefer), knowledgeable, professional, fair, and personable. It was important for me to have someone that was responsive and competent. I never waited more than 24 hours for a reply and am very happy with the resulting agreement that was created, as it represented a solution that was best for all parties involved – which was important to me. Stacey likes to say I was the ideal client, but the reality is that she was the ideal representative, providing legal advice, while keeping me abreast of the big picture. Based on my experience with Stacey, I highly recommend her.
From the moment we met, Janet had not only a business approach to my situation but also a level of compassion and friendliness. I’ve worked now with Janet for years and not one time did she fail to meet my expectations. I have always felt at ease just hearing her voice. If she didn’t have the answer immediately, she has always provided one promptly. She has been my Rock and Sounding Board. I’ve referred her to others. If anyone is in need of a GREAT family lawyer, Janet Russell in my view is the lady to contact.
Stacey, Thank you once again for all your help with my file. I can’t express how much I appreciated you having my back yesterday and you do it so calmly. Your perspective and guidance helped me a lot – thank you. It felt like a whirlwind of numbers but you helped me keep perspective as we went along…Thank you again for helping us bring things to closure.
Very satisfied with the services provided by the lawyers at SVR Lawyers! It was a long and convoluted divorce process, but Abram Averbach, Cindy Lee and their assistants have helped me to navigate through it and finalize it. I highly recommend them!
Stacey Lee handled the sale of my business and separation from a spouse attending to both my corporate and family law matters. Stacey provided a calm and realistic voice when tensions and emotions were high. Stacey approached the resolution of my files with opposing counsel in a collaborative way, seeking to reduce court appearances and conflict between all parties involved. I would work with Stacey again and recommend her to anyone requiring assistance in family or corporate matters.