Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Southern Alberta
We are a dedicated legal practice serving clients in Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, and rural Alberta communities. With over 25 years of combined experience, our team provides ethical, timely, and cost-effective solutions across family law, real estate, business law, estate planning, and litigation. As part of North & Company LLPa firm with 50 years of rural Alberta servicewe combine local expertise with expanded resources to protect client interests. Our attorneys specialize in resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, and litigation while prioritizing preventive legal strategies. We empower clients with honest analyses and strategic recommendations tailored to their unique needs.Our team of nine lawyers and staff maintains deep familiarity with regional legal complexities, particularly in municipal and agricultural property matters. We advocate for fair resolutions in family law cases, emphasizing child welfare and post-dispute stability. Our business law services support entrepreneurs through incorporations, contracts, and succession planning. Estate planning focuses on clarity and conflict prevention through wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives. We remain committed to accessible, community-focused legal representation.
Services
Real Estate
Family Law
Business Law
Mediation
Litigation
Estate Planning
Debt Collection
Corporate Law
Wills
Personal Injury
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of combined legal experience in rural Alberta's unique legal landscape
- Our team includes registered mediators specializing in family and business dispute resolution
- We provide strategic business law guidance for incorporations, contracts, and succession planning
- Our estate planning services prevent posthumous family conflicts through clear documentation
- We combine local expertise with North & Company LLP's 50-year regional service network
Associations and certifications
- Law Society of Alberta
- Accredited Family Mediator
What people say
Experienced team
Local expertise
Personalized service
Effective resolutions
Knowledgeable staff
Services
Real Estate
We handle residential and commercial property transactions including purchases, sales, mortgages, and lease agreements. Our team identifies potential issues in property deals while negotiating favorable terms. With specialized knowledge of Alberta's rural property regulations, we protect client interests through thorough title examinations and contract drafting.
Family Law
Our accredited mediators and litigators protect client rights in custody, support, and property disputes. We prioritize out-of-court resolutions while preparing strong court cases when necessary. Services include parenting plans, separation agreements, and complex asset division matters involving businesses or agricultural properties.
Estate Planning
We create comprehensive estate plans including wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives. Our planning prevents posthumous conflicts through clear asset distribution instructions and incapacity provisions. We also assist executors with probate processes and estate administration challenges.
Business Law
We support businesses through incorporations, contracts, shareholder agreements, and succession planning. Our services cover commercial leases, financing arrangements, and dispute resolution. We help entrepreneurs navigate regulatory requirements while minimizing legal risks in day-to-day operations.
Civil Litigation
Our litigators handle business disputes, personal injury claims, and construction liens through negotiation, mediation, or court action. We provide realistic case assessments while pursuing cost-effective resolutions. Services include insurance litigation, contract enforcement, and employment dispute representation.
People
Luke Ratzlaff
Lawyer
Advocates for clients in real estate, business law, and estate planning. Specializes in municipal law and business acquisitions. Provides strategic legal counsel to Alberta entrepreneurs and property owners.
Valerie Danielson
Accredited Family Mediator
Founder with expertise in family law mediation and academic publications. Focuses on resolving custody and support disputes through collaborative approaches while protecting client interests in court proceedings.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, and surrounding Alberta communities with legal services.
Do you handle both litigation and mediation?
Yes, our accredited mediators prioritize alternative dispute resolution while maintaining litigation capabilities for court cases.
What business law services do you offer?
We assist with incorporations, contracts, shareholder agreements, commercial leases, and business succession planning.
How do you approach estate planning?
We create customized wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives to prevent future family conflicts and ensure asset protection.
Are you available for urgent legal matters?
We prioritize urgent real estate and family law issues while maintaining regular business hours Monday-Thursday.
Reviews (4)
Tiffany Vance
Jan 14, 2022
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Critical:Professionalism
Valerie not very professional very judgmental of her clients and represents POS fathers in family court. Poor quality representation. I'd highly recommend going to another law firm. They take advantage of old people estates
Valerie not very professional very judgmental of her clients and represents POS fathers in family court. Poor quality representation. I'd highly recommend going to another law firm. They take advantage of old people estates
Kayla Kesler
Sep 01, 2021
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The lawyers were not forthcoming with information. What upset me the most is when the lawyers sent me a bill for my property taxes and tried to collect money from me. When I contacted my bank and the municipality. The purchase date was May12, 2021 and as of August 18, 2021 they still have not completed the land title transfer. The lawyer, if they looked at my mortgage agreement with TD they would have known that the bank agreement takes off my property taxes bi-weekly. Yet they still tried to collect my entire years worth of taxes from me. And I really hope they resolve the penalties because I
Ericka Nichols
Jan 04, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Mr. Ratzlaff, Ms. Danielson & all of their staff are always willing to help, promptly respond to phone calls and emails, and truly care about their clients. I definitely recommend using this law firm.
Mr. Ratzlaff, Ms. Danielson & all of their staff are always willing to help, promptly respond to phone calls and emails, and truly care about their clients. I definitely recommend using this law firm.
Nick Leonard
Jun 10, 2020
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Lucas Moskaluk has been extremely unprofessional in our dealings. He has sent me letters informing me I would not be seeing my son on Christmas or his birthday as a way of trying to pressure me into signing an agreement. Hes also tried other bullying tactics including trying to have me get a home assessment by a realtor of his choosing using different timelines for my assets vs my exes in settlement calculations. Would strongly recommended you avoid this law firm. Ive talked to several lawyers who say they are scared to go to court and use these tactics as a way of bullying people into making
