About Us

ABOUT OUR FIRM

Legal Experience in Appeals and Complex Criminal Trials

Our firm is a small group of dedicated professionals committed to giving you a second chance after conviction. We limit our practice to Appeals and Complex Criminal Trials. When your criminal defence fails the first time, our lawyers can leverage their collective appellate experience to get you a second chance.

You or your convicted family member deserves to get a second opinion on their case after a conviction. Our firm is focused on turning things around for you after the unexpected outcome of a conviction. You only get 30 days to file a notice of appeal, so contact us right away.

Kelsey Sitar, Appellate Lawyer in Calgary, AB

Kelsey Sitar, Partner

Appellate and Complex Litigation

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2004 – Bachelor of Arts for First Class Honours (B.A. Sons) – St. Francis Xavier University

2007 – Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Osgoode Hall Law School

2018 – Masters of Laws (LL.M) – Osgoode Hall Law School

Kelsey prides herself on her reputation as a tireless advocate in the pursuit of fundamental justice and fairness. Known for well-prepared and researched arguments, Kelsey primarily represents individuals charged in complex cases including large-scale white-collar crime, technology-based offences and charges stemming from violent crime investigations (which often include the use of Part VI or “wiretap” authorizations).

As a well-regarded appellate attorney (one who deals with legal appeals), Kelsey conducts the defence of her clients to preserve all avenues of appeal. She works with her clients to ensure, should it become necessary, that they are in the best possible position to contest their culpability or responsibility for wrongdoing at the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Born and raised in the Calgary area, Kelsey proudly demonstrates her leadership within and beyond the legal community and the clients she serves. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles, including several appearing in the Canadian Criminal Law Review. She also mentors students at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law, where she has taught Criminal Procedure since 2018. In 2022, she was instrumental in provincial legal aid job action that resulted in increased access to justice for low-income Albertans. In 2023, she became the President of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary).

Professional Memberships: Law Society of Alberta; Canadian Bar Association; Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary); Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (Edmonton)

Pawel Milczarek, Appellate Lawyer in Calgary, AB.

Pawel Milczarek, Partner

Appellate and Complex Litigation

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2003 – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – University of Toronto

2006 – Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Osgoode Hall Law School

Pawel Milczarek (pronounced Pavel Mil-chair-ik) has developed a reputation as a tough litigator that defends his clients in and out of the courtroom. Pawel has litigated several high profile criminal defence cases over his years of practice. Regarded as a skilled lawyer with superior knowledge of the law and the ins and outs of criminal litigation, Pawel provides exceptional representation for his clients.

Pawel’s criminal practice focuses on representation in matters involving significant penal outcomes such as murder, serious personal injury offences, firearms, and drugs trafficking offences. He argues these cases both at the trial and appellate levels of court.

Born in Poland, Pawel immigrated to Canada at the age of 7 and was raised in a small Northern Ontario community on the shore of Lake Superior. He provides our firm the unique ability to effectively communicate with and represent members of Calgary’s Polish community. As the managing partner of our firm, and the author of our award-winning blog: The Defence Toolkit, Pawel is committed to ensuring the best client experience for all of our clients.

Pawel gives back to the community though volunteer work with the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary) and has served as a Vice-President (2014-2016, 2023 – Present) and Director of Member Services (2021-2023). In that position, he contributed to the defence lawyer job action in 2022 which led to increased funding for access to justice by low-income Albertans. He also volunteers as a soccer coach with two competitive teams within the Calgary Minor Soccer Association.

Professional Memberships: Law Society of Alberta; Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary); Canadian Bar Association; Canadian Civil Liberties Association; Calgary Bar Association.