ALLEN HRYNIUK LIMITS THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WE REPRESENT, taking new cases only after carefully assessing legal needs and our ability to meet them effectively.

This model has proven highly successful for our clients since the firm first opened its doors in 1995 as Laurie Allen and Associates. In July 2010, Laurie Allen invited Peter Hryniuk, to become her partner, and the firm name was changed to Allen Hryniuk.

I established our firm in 1995 because I saw a real need for a firm with the skills and experience to handle more complex family law cases. For over 20 years, we have worked diligently to achieve good outcomes for clients who own businesses, and other difficult to value assets, and for clients with support issues in high-income cases.

— LAURIE ALLEN

AT MANY LAW FIRMS, CLIENTS RETAIN AND WORK WITH A SINGLE LAWYER. Clients at Allen Hryniuk gain access to all firm resources, including a well-rounded team with extensive expertise in negotiation, mediation and litigation. We ensure that clients receive the right combination of skills and experience to meet their specific legal needs.

Others, especially those whose cases are complex or litigious, might have all members of our firm working to address various aspects of the case.

Firm lawyers hold regular meetings to analyze and review both the strategy and progress of each case, with senior counsel overseeing the management of all cases.

My goal is to help create a solid financial foundation for my clients’ post-divorce lives, and also help to preserve their integrity and privacy during the divorce itself. Respect and a thoughtful manner are hallmarks of my conduct that promote settlement on fair terms, while maintaining the option of a litigated outcome.

— PETER HRYNIUK

Laurie Allen was named one of the best lawyers in Canada by her peers in the first publication of The Best Lawyers in Canada 2006, and has been listed in every subsequent edition. She has served as a Consulting Editor for the Alberta Family Law Statutes for many years, and is regularly asked to participate as an instructor or panelist in provincial and national family law conferences.

She brings decades of experience in negotiating and litigating family law matters to every case the firm takes on.

One of her greatest strengths is her ability to analyze factually or legally complex cases and to assess strategic decisions in the management of a file. Our clients rely heavily on her objective assessment of probable outcomes when they must evaluate settlement proposals or make litigation decisions.

Laurie is a skilled litigator, and has conducted many trials and appeals. In addition, she has been a registered mediator for more than 20 years. Members of the matrimonial bar routinely retain her to conduct lawyer-assisted mediation in particularly difficult or complex cases.

Peter Hryniuk is frequently involved in complex matrimonial matters that require his experience with business valuations, family trusts, estate freezes, private placements, US assets, diverse real estate holdings and extensive registered and non-registered investment portfolios. Similarly, Peter often has to address challenging income and support issues where income could include dividends and capital gains, as well as performance-based bonuses and deferred compensation packages like stock options, RSUs and phantom shares. Consequently, he regularly works closely with accountants, business valuators and tax professionals to evaluate matrimonial property and support options.

The breadth of Peter’s experience allows him to effectively steer challenging matters through the negotiation, mediation, litigation and arbitration processes. He has appeared at all levels of Alberta courts.

Peter has practiced family law for 25 years and has been a mediator since 1995. He joined the firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2010. The Best Lawyers in Canada has named him one of the best lawyers in Canada every year since 2010.

Peter is married and has 3 children.

HOW OUR ASSOCIATES WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS
Typically, they guide our clients through the process of accumulating all the relevant documents. They prepare preliminary asset/liability spreadsheets, and are skilled at running the firm’s support calculation software. Peter and Laurie rely on them to draft Affidavits, Settlement Contracts, Prenuptial Agreements, or Cohabitation Agreements.

The associates are also responsible for conducting research on legal issues which arise.

Our clients have the benefit of being represented by very senior counsel, while many aspects of their case are completed at a more appropriate hourly rate.

WE OFFER A FULL SPECTRUM OF FAMILY LAW SERVICES, including mediation and traditional negotiation. We have a strong litigation record, primarily in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Our team members have experience ranging from a few years to several decades of family law practice. Talented and well-trained legal assistants complement the services provided by our lawyers.

Laurie Allen’s roots in corporate law and connections with the corporate bar allow the firm to draw on other highly skilled professionals when required to best meet client needs. We also enjoy long-standing relationships with the many other professionals whose input may be required from time to time, including business valuators, forensic accountants and tax specialists.

OUR TEAM IS SUPPORTED WITH EVERY TECHNICAL RESOURCE REQUIRED TO PRACTICE FAMILY LAW EFFECTIVELY. We subscribe to all online legal research services and the legal publications necessary to maintain a current and thorough understanding of our rapidly evolving area of law.

We are also equipped with software programs essential for the accurate calculation of support, factoring in all the tax consequences. To facilitate efficient service, a comprehensive set of precedents is maintained for all forms of family law agreements and court documents.