Appeals

Diane practices a “no nonsense” approach to advocating for a sensible, fair and just resolution for her clients. Her objective is to provide strategic guidance and sound legal advice to clients who find themselves in complicated family situations.

Diane’s extensive litigation and appellate experience – spanning over 25 years – is a foundational element of what makes Daunais McKay + Harms a leader in the Calgary legal community.

Outside the courtroom, Diane has an expansive body of work and numerous professional achievements. Some of these include:

• • Co-author of legal articles
  • Instructor for CPLED and Trial Advocacy courses
  • Recipient of Contribution Award from Alberta Law Society (2012)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers International 2012 to present
  • Appointed Queen’s Counsel (2016)

Crystal graduated from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law in 1999 with dean’s list standing. She was called to the Alberta bar in 2001 and has been practicing family law ever since.

Crystal has appeared at all levels of Alberta’s Courts and she has recently been successful in three major custody appeals.

While she prefers to operate as a collaborative lawyer and mediator – seeking resolutions that minimize financial impact and place familial well-being first – she is also an effective litigator, having appeared in all levels of Alberta’s courts. Her commitment to effective litigation is best demonstrated by her successes in appeals, including notable judgments involving parental custody and child welfare.

Crystal is a member of many professional and community organizations, including:

• Law Society of Alberta
• Canadian Bar Association- Family Law and Wills and Estates subsections
• Association of Collaborative Professionals
• Dispute Resolution Officer- Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
• Instructor- Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education
• Board Member and Treasurer- Association of Collaborative Professionals
• Contributor- Legal Education Society of Alberta Family Law Practice Manual
• Guest Lecturer- University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, Advanced Family Law
• Volunteer lawyer and Instructor- Calgary Legal Guidance
• Past Instructor- Parenting After Separation Seminar

In her free time Crystal enjoys camping, hiking, and golf.

Michael received his B.A. (hons) in history from McGill University in 1997, and his M.A. in history from University College London (U.K.) in 1998. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law in 2001. Michael was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2002 and the Law Society of Alberta in 2003. Michael articled at a full-service law firm in Toronto and started his practice in the commercial litigation department of a national law firm. Since 2004 Michael has focused his practice on family law and related civil litigation. Michael has been a managing lawyer of Daunais McKay & Harms since 2018.

Michael enjoys the challenge of seeking solutions to complex legal problems. He believes it is important to educate his clients about the legal process, thereby helping them to be informed participants and to understand issues affecting their lives.

Professional Associations

• Law Society of Alberta
• Canadian Bar Association – Family Law Subsection
• Alberta Law Conference 2008 – Member of Spousal Support Panel
• Legal Education Society of Alberta, 2009 Banff Refresher – Member of Child      Support Panel
• LESA Education Society of Alberta, 2012 Wills and Estates for Support Staff –      Member of Panel Respecting Matrimonial Property
• Legal Education Society of Alberta, 2016 Family Law Trial Fundamentals – Presentation respecting trial procedure

Current Community Contributions

• Board Chair, Alberta Freestyle Ski Association

Select Past Community Contributions

• Board Chair, Calgary Jewish Community Centre
• Co-Chair, Calgary United Jewish Appeal Campaign

Select Noteworthy Cases

• MacDonald v. Brodoff, 2020 ABCA 246 – Alberta Court of Appeal clarifies how allegations of intentional unemployment are handled in child support cases where parenting is shared
• J.B. v. Alberta (Director of Child and Family Services), 2020 ABQB 285 – Leading Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench decision regarding access to child protection files for parenting litigation
• O.M. v. E.D., 2019 ABCA 509 – Alberta Court of Appeal interprets “habitual residence” for the purpose of The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
• Salt v. Salt, 2019 ABQB 595 – Thorough analysis by the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench of spousal support variation when the payor has retired
• Joncas v. Joncas, 2017 ABCA 50 – Alberta Court of Appeal confirms availability and measure of damages under the Dower Act
• M.O. v. C.O., 2012 ABCA 297 – Alberta Court of Appeal mobility decision does not permit stay at home mother to relocate with the parties’ child to the United States
• Munro v. Munro, 2011 ABCA 279 – Alberta Court of Appeal does not permit consolidation of lawsuits when doing so would have delayed determination of a child support issue

Jonathan is a lawyer, mediator and arbitrator with Daunais, McKay + Harms. He has been practicing law in Alberta since 2010. He has a Bachelor of the Arts from the University of Calgary, a law degree from University of New Brunswick and a master’s degree in law (with a specialization in family law) from York University.

Jonathan is committed to customizing the best possible approach to meeting his clients’ needs. Trained in interest-based practices with a collaborative spirit, he believes the negotiation, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution are powerful tools to help people resolve conflict. In situations where these approaches are not possible, Jonathan brings confidence and experience as a strong advocate at provincial court, the Court of Queen’s Bench and at the Court of Appeal.

In addition to serving his clients passionately, Jonathan regularly publishes research on select legal topics. He shares his research at legal conferences such as Legal Education Society of Alberta seminars and National Family Law Programs. Jonathan also teaches legal courses at Calgary’s post-secondary institutions including family law at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law.

Originally from Calgary, Jonathan is proud to make his home where he was born and has been involved with the community here throughout his life. Jonathan enjoys hiking, camping and skiing. He’s learning (slowly) to play the violin and is an unashamed “gamer.” Over the years, Jonathan has raised over $10,000 for Alberta Children’s Hospital in the annual gaming fundraiser: Extra Life.

Publications:

• Griffith, J et. al. “Attacking Arbitration Agreements” (Lake Louise: LESA Family Law Refresher 2019)
• Griffith, J “Bill C-78, A Chapter in Canada’s Evolving Divorce Laws” (Calgary: LESA Practice Update 2018)
• Griffith, J & Savory, L. “Crazy for Family Law – Successfully Managing a Sustainable Family Law Practice” (Vancouver: National Family Program 2018)
• Griffith, J “LGBTQ2+ Literacy for Legal Practitioners” (Calgary & Edmonton: LESA Beyond Blended Families 2018)
• Griffith, J “Support for Adult Children (It’s Not Over Until It’s Over)” (Calgary & Edmonton: LESA Child and Spousal Support 2017)
• Martens, A. & Griffith, J “Crusading for the Holy Grail – Obtaining Timely Disclosure from your Clients and the Opposing Party” (Calgary & Edmonton: LESA Financial Disclosure in Family Law Matters 2016)
• Griffith, J & Smith, C “Queering Family Law After Same Sex Marriage” (Whistler: National Family Law Conference 2014)
• Griffith, J & Wilkins, J “Making Sure the Money Talks, Not Walks” (Lake Louise: LESA Family Law Refresher 2013)

Media Appearances:

• CTV News: Calgary “Polyamoury is Challenging the Definition of Family” (February 16, 2019:)
• CTV News: Calgary “Polygamy and Canada” (February 17, 2019)
• Global News: Calgary “ More Teens are Sexting and Sharing Sexts Without Consent” (February 26, 2018)
• News Talk 770 AM “Looking Forward in Family Law” (July 2014)

Notable Cases:

Kohan v. Kohan 2016 ABCA 125
J. (O.A.) v. K.(S.M.) 2012 ABCA 49
ANM v. DRH 2019 ABPC 209

Associations:

• Law Society of Alberta
• Canadian Bar Association
• Alberta Family Mediator’s Society
• Calgary Bar Association