Our firm was formed in 1975 when three classmates from the University of Alberta Law School, Gerald R Polack, Dick W Meindersma and Ken J Smith completed their articles of clerkship and struck out on their own as “Polack, Meindersma and Smith”. Brian R Liddell joined the firm about 10 years later and the firm was renamed “Polack, Meindersma, Smith & Liddell”.
From the firm’s inception we prided ourselves on providing prompt, personal and professional service to our clients. The founding partners, Gerry, Dick and Ken practiced together for over 30 years. Ken left the firm to pursue other opportunities in 2004, Gerry passed away on March 16, 2008, and Dick passed away October 8, 2009. Brian Liddell is proud to carry on the traditions and reputation of the firm they created and built.
Brian practices in the areas of Real Estate Conveyancing, Estate Planning (including drafting of your Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and/or Personal Directive), Estate Administration and Business Law.
Real Estate Conveyancing - The purchase of your home is often the largest investment that a person will make in their lifetime. It is important that you have the assistance of competent professionals. Brian has over 25 years experience acting for purchasers, sellers and mortgage lenders.
Estate Planning - Perhaps the most important legal documents that a person will prepare during her/his lifetime are their Wills or Enduring Powers of Attorney. We spend our lives building up our estate. It is extremely important that we ensure that the product of our life’s work passes in accordance with our wishes. Brian works closely with his clients to obtain their instructions and draft Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives that meet their wishes and requirements and achieve their estate planning objectives.
Estate Administration - After a person passes away his/her executor or administrator (in Alberta referred to as “Personal Representative”) must take charge of the deceased’s affairs, pay estate debts and distribute any remaining assets amongst the beneficiaries. Brian assists his clients in completing their Personal Representative responsibilities (including preparing and presenting Probate Applications to the Court, collecting assets, coordinating payment of estate liabilities and distributing residual assets to beneficiaries).
Business Law - Starting and operating a business is not easy. It is important that business persons take advantage of professional assistance and advice. Professional advisors including lawyers and accountants, can help you make the decisions which put your business on the road to success. Brian has worked with businessman and provided legal advice and services to small businesspersons for over 25 years.
Bar Admissions
- Alberta, 1983
- Saskatchewan, 1984 (inactive list)
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (Deans List) from The University of Alberta, 1982
- Bachelor of Science Degree, (Honors), in Mathematics with a concentration in Computing Science the University of Alberta, 1972
Professional Associations
- Law Society of Alberta
- Edmonton Bar Association
Education
- University of Alberta -Bachelor of Arts with Distinction
- University of Alberta -Bachelor of Laws
Professional Experience
- Insurance Litigation
- Family Law
- General Litigation
- Wills and Estate Planning
Community Involvement
I have lived in Edmonton for many years and I am a dedicated volunteer in the community and educational activities of my two young children.
Jessi graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in April of 2009. She completed her articles and joined our firm as an Associate on June 23rd 2010. Jessi has had direct experience with a variety of legal matters, including: real estate, residential school survivor claims, builder’s liens, landlord/tenancy disputes, divorce and legal separation, Wills, Enduring Power of Attorneys and Personal Directives, estates, dependant adult issues, and a variety of other Civil Claim matters.
Jessi has appeared before the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta numerous times for various matters.
Jessi also works within the senior community by volunteering her time at the Edmonton Senior Center and the West End Senior Center where she meets with and provides legal assistance to their members.
Jessi was an active member of the Aboriginal Law Students Association while at the University of Saskatchewan where she attended Indigenous Bar Conferences and advocated for Aboriginal rights. She is committed to helping provide legal services to persons of Canadian Aboriginal heritage.
She is also active in Edmonton’s legal community and is on the Legal Aid Alberta Roster.
Rebecca Cuthbertson Hulst has a passion for Family Law. She assists her clients to become full participants in the settlement process by explaining the law and discussing the clients’ options – including Mediation, Limited Scope Representation, and Collaborative Law.
Since relocating to Edmonton from Thunder Bay in 1999, Rebecca has been a member of several professional and community boards, including the Family Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund [LEAF], and Strathearn United Church. She participates each year in Law Day events at the Law Courts, and she is also a donor/volunteer for Canadian Blood Services.
Contact Rebecca for an appointment to discuss your Family Law Matters. She is available for Mediation of Family disputes, representing children in Child Welfare or other Court proceedings, Collaborative Family Law or traditional Divorce Matters, Same-Sex or Common-Law Cohabitation or Separation Agreements, Step–parent Adoption Applications, and matters under the new Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act.
Rebecca is also available to review and update your current Estate Planning documents. Don’t forget – your Will, Personal Directive, and Enduring Power of Attorney may be affected by your changing Family Law situation. And if you don’t already have an Estate Plan, Rebecca can help get you started.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Law Society of Alberta
- Canadian Bar Association
- Association of Collaborative Family Lawyers (Edmonton)
- Association of Collaborative Lawyers of Alberta
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund [LEAF]
Education
- University of Alberta - Bachelor of Laws, 2002
- Lakehead University - Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology, with Interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology, and Philosophy Minor in Occupational Ethics, 1999
- Jointly Owned Property
- Why A Will?
- Planning for Incapacity
- Inheritance Rights on Separation
- What To Do When Someone Dies
- Corporate & Commercial Law
- Real Estate
- Wills & Estate Planning Documents
- Estate Administration
- Family Law
320 Circle Square
11808 St Albert Trail
Edmonton, AB, T5L 4G4
For a map and directions to our new office: CLICK HERE
5100 3rd Street
Boyle AB T0A 0M0