OUR TEAM
MELISSA OAKLEY, B.MGT, JD, MBA
Founding Lawyer
Melissa Oakley
Founding Lawyer
Phone: 587-943-1394 x 277
melissa@oakleyfamilylaw.ca
Articling Student: Fatima Zulfiqar
Phone: 587-943-1394 x 245
fatima@oakleyfamilylaw.ca
For consultation inquiries:
Please click here.
Melissa Oakley founded Oakley Family Law in 2016. She is proudly the first woman to attend post-secondary, and the first lawyer, in her family. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Management (with honours). Committed to lifelong learning, Melissa recently completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.
Melissa has appeared both in the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. She is a strong and passionate advocate for the interest of her clients both in and out of the courtroom, working tirelessly to negotiate the best possible outcome for her clients in as timely and cost-effective a manner as possible.
In My Own Words
I founded Oakley Family Law to be more than just a practice—it’s a place where clients feel heard, where junior lawyers are empowered, and where integrity, inclusion, and human connection drive everything we do.
My MBA and background in entrepreneurship shape how I approach both legal strategy and the client experience. I’m always thinking about the bigger picture—blending creativity with cost-benefit analysis to craft solutions that are not only legally sound but practical and sustainable. Clients don’t need complexity for complexity’s sake—they need clarity, strategy, and results that work in the real world.
Whether I’m mentoring a young lawyer, guiding a client through one of the hardest chapters of their life, or refreshing our brand, I lead with purpose, transparency, and a deep respect for the people I serve.
Mentorship matters to me—not because I have all the answers, but because I believe in creating space for growth, questions, and grace. I’ve had my share of tough moments, and I don’t pretend otherwise. But I meet challenges with resilience, honesty, and the occasional Taylor Swift lyric.
We spend so much time in the office, that I view it as an extension of home. Comfort and calm take priority. I share my workspace with my loyal sidekick, Jet, our firm’s beloved Director of Barketing, who reminds us to take breaks, be kind, and never underestimate the power of a good nap.
Outside of the office, I’m most at peace in the garden, digging into the dirt with my hands and letting my thoughts settle. My bookshelf at home holds an increasing collection of vinyl records (because music sounds better with a little crackle) and my grandmother’s prayer plant from the 1970s.
Education + Memberships
- Director of the Board, Calgary Legal Guidance (ongoing)
- Member, Alberta Family Lawyers Association (ongoing)
- Member, Canadian Bar Association (ongoing)
- Member, Canadian Bar Association – Family Law Section (ongoing)
- Member, Canadian Bar Association – Child and Youth Section (ongoing)
- Lifetime Member, Beta Gamma Sigma (ongoing)
- Executive Steering Committee Member and Co-Chair of the Events and Engagement Subcommittee, Alberta Family Lawyers Association (2022-2024)
- Master of Business Administration, University of Calgary (2023)
- Bar Call, Law Society of Alberta (2014)
- Juris Doctor, University of Calgary (2013)
- Bachelor of Management (Honours), University of British Columbia (2010)
Community Involvement
As a firm believer in the value of volunteerism, Melissa has served her community in a variety of capacities. Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors of Calgary Legal Guidance and the Family Law Consulting Committee to Legal Aid Alberta. Melissa enjoys mentoring local high school and undergraduate students, in addition to law students through the Canadian Bar Association’s mentorship program and MBA students through the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business.
Melissa acts as a volunteer lawyer for Thompson Rivers University and University of Calgary law students in their family law negotiations moots. She is also the head coach of the University of Calgary’s team for the Morrison LLP Family Law Moot.
Previously, Melissa was the President of a local business networking organization and the Vice-President of the Calgary Youth Justice Society. She has also volunteered with the Elizabeth Fry Society, Alberta Family Lawyers Association (AFLA), Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre, Canadian Bar Association’s Law Day, Pro Bono Law Alberta’s Dial-A-Lawyer program, and the Legal Education Society of Alberta’s intensive trial advocacy program.
Melissa has long been interested in youth issues, and her passion for kids shows when assisting her clients to come up with a solution in the best interests of the children. Before she came to Calgary, Melissa was the chairperson of a charitable youth foundation for six years, partnering with Community Foundations of Canada and Canadian Heritage to provide grant funding to Youth Community Action Projects across the country.
Awards + Achievements
- University of Calgary, Graduation Dean’s List (2023)
- Alberta Women in Law Leadership Awards Finalist – Leadership in the Profession (Private Practice) (2023)
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Award Nominee (2022 and 2023)
- Alberta Women in Law Leadership Awards Finalist – Tomorrow’s Leader (2022)
- Top Choice Awards, Top Choice Family Law Firm in Calgary (2022)
- University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business MBA Program (2021) – Most compelling business design for an initiative to support self-represented family law litigants
- University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business MBA Scholarship for Continuing Students for outstanding academic achievement (2021)
FUN FACTS ABOUT MELISSA
Do you collect anything?
Vinyl records. I started collecting them during the pandemic to fill the void of not being able to attend concerts.
Do you have any pets?
One dog (Jet), and one cat (Elly), who are both adopted. We also have a salt water aquarium that I’m learning to love.
How do you de-stress?
I bake a lot. It requires focus and precision, which allows me to clear my mind and then come back to the issue later fresh. An occasional visit to a tropical beach doesn’t hurt either.
What's on your playlist?
Gracie Abrams, The Arkells, Taylor Swift, Andrew McMahon, Kasey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Adele…
Let’s talk.