melissa oakley
Founding Lawyer
Phone: 587-943-1394 x 277
melissa@oakleyfamilylaw.ca
Executive Assistant:
Sharon Davison
Phone: 587-943-1394 x 246
sharon@oakleyfamilylaw.ca
Melissa Oakley founded Oakley Family Law in 2016 and is the first lawyer in her family. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Management (with honours). She later returned to U of C to complete her Master of Business Administration (MBA), where she graduated on the Dean’s List.
Melissa was named as a Lawyer to Watch by the 30th Edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, which is a recognition of the leading lawyers across the country for dedication to law, leadership, and service to the community. She represents clients through alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration, and litigation at the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. A strong advocate for her clients both in and out of the courtroom, Melissa working tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome in as timely and cost-effective a manner as possible.
In addition to her legal practice, Melissa is a passionate educator and mentor. Previously an instructor of business law at the University of Calgary, Melissa continues to coach business, and articling students through the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership, and the Law Society of Alberta respectively. She also offers a free monthly mentorship program to students across Canada who wish to become lawyers through her initiative, Talk Tuesday.
Education
- Master of Business Administration, University of Calgary (2023)
- Juris Doctor, University of Calgary (2013)
- Bachelor of Management (Honours), University of British Columbia (2010)
Awards + Achievements
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Lawyer to Watch
- University of Calgary, Dean’s List
- University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business MBA Scholarship
- University of British Columbia, Community Builder Scholarship
Memberships
- Law Society of Alberta
- Alberta Family Lawyers Association
- Alberta Women Lawyers Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honours Society
Community Leadership
As a firm believer in the value of volunteerism, Melissa has served her community in a variety of capacities. Currently, she sits on the Family Law Consulting Committee to Legal Aid Alberta, and is the Canadian Bar Association’s representative on the Family Law Rules Advisory Committee of the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
Previously, Melissa was on the Board of Directors of Calgary Legal Guidance and the Vice-President of the Board of the Calgary Youth Justice Society. She was also a founding member of the Alberta Family Lawyers Association (AFLA) and has volunteered with the Elizabeth Fry Society, 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 acted as a volunteer lawyer for Thompson Rivers University and University of Calgary law students in their family law negotiations moots. She was also the head coach of the University of Calgary’s team for the Morrison LLP Family Law Moot for three years.
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.
I highly recommend Melissa Oakley of Oakley Family Law to anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled family lawyer. Throughout my case, Melissa demonstrated a remarkable level of professionalism, thoughtfulness, and dedication. She consistently acted in my best interests.
-Father, divorce matter