OUR TEAM
Melissa Oakley, B.Mgt, JD, MBA
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.
Seeking mentorship?
Melissa hosts TALK TUESDAY, an online group mentoring session on the third Tuesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for law, articling, and NCA students across Canada.
MELISSA OAKLEY
Founding Lawyer
Melissa Oakley founded Oakley Family Law in 2016. In her family, she is proudly the first woman to attend post-secondary and the first lawyer. She earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Calgary after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Management (with honours). 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.
Melissa 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. She is a strong advocate for her clients both in and out of the courtroom, 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 in the future through Talk Tuesday.
In My Own Words
I founded Oakley Family Law to be a place where clients feel heard and supported, where lawyers and assistants alike 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 lyrics.
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 shelves at home hold 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
- Member, Alberta Family Lawyers Association
- Member, Alberta Women Lawyers Association
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Canadian Bar Association – Family Law Section
- Member, Canadian Bar Association – Child and Youth Section
- Lifetime Member, Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honours Society
- 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 Family Law Consulting Committee to Legal Aid 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.
Awards + Achievements
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Lawyer to Watch (2026)
- Canadian Choice Awards, Top Choice Family Law Firm in Calgary (2025)
- 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 two cats, Elly and Daisy – they’re (surpisingly) all the best of friends. We also have a clown fish named Beyonce.
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.