Michelle D. Millard

Michelle practices in all areas of trust and estate law. With over 25 years of corporate and commercial experience, she provides comprehensive solutions for clients from both estate planning and succession planning perspectives.

Michelle has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada™ as a leading lawyer in Trusts and Estates for 2024, 2022, 2021 and 2020, and was named the 2023 Trusts and Estates ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Edmonton. Michelle is also ranked as a featured Leading Lawyer in Estate & Personal Tax Planning – Estate Litigation and Estate & Tax Planning by Canadian Lexpert®.

Michelle regularly presents on estate and succession planning to clients, financial planners and insurance agents. She is also a dedicated member of her community, serving on boards for Boys and Girls Club Big Brothers Big Sisters and STEP Edmonton. Michelle was awarded the 2021 STEP Edmonton Volunteer of the Year award.

Shaping strong legacies for clients from Edmonton and beyond, Michelle tailors her approach to each individual’s vision.

Outside of work, she enjoys running, biking and hiking with her family and two dogs.

Credentials

Called to the Alberta Bar, 1995
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), University of Alberta, 1994
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm), University of Alberta, 1991

Memberships & Affiliations

Director, Society for Estate and Trust Practitioners, Edmonton Branch (STEP)
Director, Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Edmonton CREW Association (Commercial Real Estate Women)
Member, Estate Planning Council of Edmonton
Past President and Past Director, Business and Professional Women’s Chapter of Edmonton
Past Chair, Business Law Section (North), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta)
Past Chair, Wills & Estates Law Section (North), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta)
Past President, Estate Planning Council
Past Director, Edmonton CREW Association
Past Director, The Family Centre Foundation
Past Director, The Family Centre
Past Director, Edmonton Junior Chamber (JayCees)
Past Member, The Canadian Association of Gift Planners

Publications & Presentations

“Emergency Preparedness – Disaster Planning For Estates”, Scotia McLeod, June 2022
“The New Normal – Estate Planning for the Modern Family”, STEP Edmonton, February 2022
“Succession Planning for Divorce” Cidel Conference, November,2021
“End of Life Presentation”, CIBC Wood Gundy, May 2021
“Estate Planning”, Felesky Flynn LLP Spring Forum, May 2021
“Charitable Donations”, University of Alberta, March 2021
“Intersection between Legal Agreements and Estate Planning”, Scotia McLeod, January 2020
“Playing Snakes and Ladders in your Estate Practice: How to Climb the Ladders and Avoid Sliding How the Snakes!”, LESA, November 2019
“When End of Relationship Issues Intersects with End of Life”, CBA Family Law Section, February 2019
Emergency Preparedness – Disaster Planning Using Appropriate Legal Documents (USAs and Pre-Nuptial, Post-Nuptial or Cohabitation Agreements)”, CPA North Forum, October 2018
“Blended Families and Matrimonial Issues in Estate Planning – the intersection of matrimonial law and estate law”, STEP Edmonton, September 2018
University of Alberta panel discussion on Celebrating Women in Philanthropy, May 2018 “Creating Immortality – Charitable Donations”, CIBC Wood Gundy advisors, January 2018
Presented “Estate and Succession Planning” to private and commercial bankers in August 2016 and January 2017
Presented “Estate Planning and Administration” to CPA Forum South and CPA Forum North in October 2016
Presented “Trusts” to accountants in April 2016
Presented “Joint Assets” to accountants in June 2016
Presented “Joint Assets and Beneficiary Designations” to investment advisors in May 2016
A Practical Review of Employment Law in the Sale and Purchase of a Business for Legal Education Society of Alberta

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Michelle D. Millard

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