Cooper Regel is a Law Firm operating from Sherwood Park and Yellowknife offices. We specialize in Aboriginal Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Administrative and Tribunal Law, Residential School and Abuse Claims and Class Actions.

ANITA CARDINAL – Consultant

Anita is Nêhiyaw (Cree) and a member of Woodland Cree First Nation situated on Treaty 8 Territory but currently lives in Edmonton with her family.  Anita aims to work towards justice, truth and upholding Treaty Rights. She entered law school already being in the profession as a paralegal for over a decade and she has been fortunate to work on many class action files here at Cooper Regel such as the Sixties Scoop and Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Women in Alberta and B.C (her mother is the Representative Plaintiff in the AB Class Action). She obtained her Juris Doctor in April of 2022 at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, where she served as President of the Indigenous Law Students Association for 2 terms and at the same time served as President of the National Indigenous Law Students Association and as a Student Representative for the Indigenous Bar Association. She sits on various boards in the province and is also the founder of Indigenous Runner YEG and the Race Director and organizer for the Annual Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk in Edmonton held on the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. She is passionate about trail running and supporting diversity in the sport but she is most passionate about her family and providing a strong voice for human rights issues and children in care.

KARIE BELL – Office Manager & Paralegal

Karie manages the office in Sherwood Park and Yellowknife.  She is experienced in civil and commercial litigation, insurance defence, IP litigation, sexual and other abuse claims, Residential School Claims, personal injury litigation and numerous other litigation processes. She has assisted in matters before all levels of court within Ontario, Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories, including appellate matters at both the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court. She assists in all phases of litigation, from inception through discovery and trial, including organization and analysis of case material, large-scale document production, pre-trial preparation and in-courtroom trial support. She is also our Office and Litigation Manager. Karie has had the great honor and opportunity to assist indigenous peoples with the Residential Schools Class Action, Relocation matters, 60s scoop, and other litigious matters. She is a Commissioner of Oaths in Alberta and Northwest Territories and is a Notary Public for Nunavut. Karie enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters.

SHAUNA MACHURA, CPA, CA – Controller

Shauna holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 25 years of experience in accounting and financial management. She has held leadership roles across public practice, legal, and private sectors, including serving as Controller for a major Alberta law firm and co-owning a wholesale flooring accessory business. Since 2021, Shauna has been a valued member of the Cooper Regel team, where she brings her expertise in all things financial.

JAMIE GRIFT – Legal Assistant

Jamie is a legal assistant in the Sherwood Park office. She enjoys the challenges of criminal and civil litigation cases, bringing to her work her excellent organization skills and her love of continuous learning. When not working she loves spending time with her three beautiful children. She is a fan of suspense novels and true crime shows and loves hot weather.

BETH BROWN – Legal Assistant

Beth is a Legal Assistant in our Sherwood Park office who provides assistance with civil litigation and works primarily on our class action matters. She is an analytical thinker who enjoys being organized and strives to provide exceptional service. She was raised in Fort St. John, B.C. and has deep roots in Saskatchewan. Beth is an avid lover of the arts who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others.

EMILY COOPER – Legal Assistant

Emily assists in our Real Estate department. She received her undergrad in Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Sociology and minor in Psychology from MacEwan University. She is currently studying for the LSAT and working towards law school. She enjoys expanding her knowledge in the workplace on a daily basis. Aside from the office she has a passion for golf, baking, and travel.

ELAINE POTTER – Legal Assistant

Elaine was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and graduated from the Legal Assistant program in 2005. She has knowledge in various areas of law and is currently working as our corporate and litigation assistant for Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Alberta.  Elaine has a bubbly personality and a witty sense of humour. Elaine is also a bartender who enjoys traveling and spending time with friends, family and her fur babies on her time off.

KELLY SMART – Legal Assistant

Kelly was born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta, and is a Real Estate Legal Assistant on  our team. Prior to being a Legal Assistant, she worked as a Mortgage Broker Assistant. Kelly enjoys soaking up the sun, coffee, thunderstorms, camping, soccer and dancing silly in the kitchen with her two beautiful girls.

CLAIRE THEOBALD – Legal Assistant

Claire is a Legal Assistant in Sherwood Park, Alberta. After nearly a decade as an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist specializing in crime, law and social justice, Claire graduated with a Legal Assistant diploma in 2022 and joined the Cooper Regel team. Outside of the office, Claire is a semi-professional hot gluer and production designer who spends her off hours yelling too loud at indie wrestling events, binge watching documentaries and chasing after her pets.

HANNA ZYMOVETS – Legal Assistant

Hanna earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Economics from Poltava National Technical University in Ukraine in 2013. In 2020 she relocated to Canada and completed her Paralegal Diploma at CDI College in Edmonton, AB, in 2023. Hanna has eagerly begun her career in the legal field. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and loves to paint.

IRENE  TEES – Paralegal

Irene was born in Poland and grew up in Southern Alberta. With over 30 years of experience as a Corporate/Wills and Estates Paralegal, she excels in observational, analytical, and organizational skills. Outside of work, Irene cherishes time with her family and is deeply committed to supporting the elderly. Having cared for her mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s, Irene’s greatest strengths are her empathy and compassion.

CLARISSA GORDON – Administrative Assistant

Clarissa is an Inuvialuit Beneficiary and Treaty 11 member and brings over a decade of experience in social work, wellness, and community advocacy. Based in our Yellowknife office, she provides administrative support to the Cooper Regel LLP team while continuing her commitment to Indigenous justice and wellness.

NATASHA KABAN – Leal Assistant

Born and raised in Sherwood Park, Natasha has spent the past several years building her career in the legal field as an administrative assistant. She recently embraced a new role as a family and civil litigation legal assistant in our Sherwood Park office. Outside of work, Natasha enjoys reading, volunteering, and dancing with a local Ukrainian dance club. Above all, she treasures being a proud mom to her two amazing daughters.