Rhonda Ruston, KC

I was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta and have a long history as a lawyer and active member in my former home community:

I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Lethbridge in 1979 and my Law Degree from the University of Ottawa in 1982. I worked as a lawyer in Lethbridge for almost 30 years primarily as a civil litigator. My early years were spent in the family law area. As I became known for my advocacy and my desire to be the voice for those who could not easily speak for themselves, requests to work on other matters allowed me the opportunity to branch out into many areas of the law – such as wrongful dismissal, estate disputes, legal negligence, medical malpractice, WCB claims, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and victims of abuse in enforced institutional residencies. As a strong believer that volunteerism – serving something outside of ourselves –allows us to experience our interconnectedness and builds healthier, more empathetic and kinder communities, I devoted countless hours through the years to volunteer endeavors in Lethbridge, both as a community member and as a lawyer. I served on the Board of Governors of the Community College, elected member to the Public School Board, was a founding member of Samaritans Society for suicide prevention, member of the Board of Directors for the United Way, board member of the Community Foundation, board member and President of YWCA, member of the Regional Police Force’s committee to coordinate response to domestic violence, and Advisory Counsel to the University of Lethbridge Dean of Fine Arts. I was a contributing presenter for the Legal Education Society of Alberta and Canadian Bar Association, lecturer for the continuing (legal) education programs of the Community College and was an instructor of a legal issues course for the University of Lethbridge’s Political Sciences Department. I served as pro bono legal counsel to the Aids Connection Society, YWCA Harbour House Emergency Women’s Shelter and the Humane Society. I served three terms as a “Bencher” for the Law Society of Alberta (the governing body of the legal profession), served on the Alberta Judicial Affairs Committee to review potential federal judicial candidates and was appointed to Alberta’s Provincial Unified Family Task Force. I am not sure if this covers all of it, but you get the idea.

My commitment to volunteerism has continued upon becoming a full time resident of BC and member of the BC Law Society and I enjoy providing pro bono legal advice in myriad ways in my community.  

When people are given legal advice which helps them solve problems in their own lives they are stronger for it – an increasing need in a world where everything seems to be more difficult to manage these days.  This is why it is vital that the legal profession make legal services accessible to all who require the assistance.  Seeking an opportunity to pursue my passion for gardening and rural living (no doubt the influences of my Ukrainian farming and small prairie town roots) I retired to Kaslo.  Once here full time, I received repeated and constant requests from locals to help with legal matters and so opened my law office in Kaslo in 2014.  Determining the areas of life where most legal services were sought, I withdrew from courtroom work and settled into a solicitor’s practice.  Together with  my co-workers Sylvie and Cheryl, to whom I am endlessly grateful, we all find joy and good purpose in our lives through our continued service to our community. 

Sylvie Barkley, Legal Assistant & Office Manager

I was born and raised in Southern Alberta and although I love the prairies, the mountains are always calling. After working Legal for Oil & Gas in Calgary, my husband and I relocated to Kaslo where we explored all the backcountry we could access. I have been working with Rhonda since 2016, and it brings me great pride and joy to be part of a team that provides quality legal services to Kaslo and the surrounding area.

Cheryl Burr

I was born and raised in Ontario, but made my home in British Columbia for a total of 21 years with 11 of these wonderful years spent in the Kootenays between Nelson and Procter.  After graduating from Camosun College in the legal assistant program, I have been working as a conveyancer since May 2001 and with Rhonda since 2015.  I am very grateful to work with both Rhonda and Sylvie, who desire as much as I do, in providing excellence in service to our clients. I sincerely enjoy assisting our clients fulfill their contractual obligations and all of their property or other legal needs.