Our Company
Grounded in Edmonton. Focused on you.
For over fifteen years, Birchwood Legal has offered property owners, business leaders, and regulated companies a quieter, more considered way to navigate legal processes in Alberta.
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How Birchwood Legal came to be
Birchwood Legal was founded in 2009 by a small team of solicitors who shared a dissatisfaction with the pace and impersonality of larger Edmonton law firms. They had each spent years in high-volume practices and noticed the same pattern: clients felt like case numbers, communication was inconsistent, and legal documentation was treated as paperwork rather than the significant agreements they truly are.
The founding vision was simple — build a practice where clients are treated as people with real stakes in the outcome, where their questions are welcomed rather than deferred, and where legal work is carried out with both accuracy and genuine care. The name Birchwood was chosen for the birch trees that line many of Edmonton's river valley paths — resilient, adaptable, rooted in Alberta's landscape.
Over the years, the firm developed three areas of practice where it found it could offer something distinctive: real estate transaction support for buyers and sellers navigating Alberta and BC's property market, business succession planning for owners looking to transfer ownership thoughtfully, and regulatory compliance advisory for companies operating in Canada's more demanding industries.
Today, Birchwood Legal continues to operate from its suite in Edmonton's downtown core, serving clients across Alberta and British Columbia. The approach has remained consistent: attentive, organized, and always aligned with the client's timeline and objectives.
Our People
The professionals behind the practice
Margaret Harlow
Senior Partner, Real Estate
Called to the Alberta Bar in 2001, Margaret leads Birchwood's real estate practice. She brings deep familiarity with both residential conveyancing and commercial property transfers across Alberta and BC.
Daniel Steinhoff
Partner, Business Law
Daniel specializes in business succession and corporate transfers. With a background in commerce and over twelve years in practice, he helps business owners navigate ownership transitions with minimal disruption.
Priya Lalwani
Associate, Regulatory Compliance
Priya joined Birchwood in 2018 after working in regulatory affairs for a financial services group. She brings both legal expertise and operational experience to our compliance advisory practice.
Our Standards
Professional standards we hold ourselves to
Law Society Compliance
All members of Birchwood Legal are in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta. Our practice management meets or exceeds LSA standards for client communication, documentation, and trust accounting.
Solicitor-Client Privilege
Every matter is handled under the full protection of solicitor-client privilege. Your information is never shared without your explicit consent, and our file management procedures reinforce this at every stage.
Conflict of Interest Screening
Before accepting any new engagement, we conduct a conflict-of-interest review. This ensures that our representation remains undivided and fully aligned with your interests throughout.
Transparent Fee Arrangements
Every engagement is preceded by a clear written fee arrangement. We explain what is included, what falls outside scope, and how any additional work would be handled — before any work begins.
Continuing Legal Education
Our team maintains active participation in continuing education programs relevant to Alberta property law, corporate law, and federal regulatory frameworks — staying current as legislation evolves.
Professional Liability Coverage
Birchwood Legal carries professional liability insurance through the Law Society of Alberta's Lawyers Insurance Fund — providing additional assurance that your legal matters are handled by covered professionals.
Our Expertise
A practice shaped by Alberta's legal landscape
Alberta and British Columbia each present distinct legal environments for property ownership and business operation. The Land Titles Act (Alberta), the Property Law Act (BC), and various provincial and federal regulatory frameworks each carry nuances that generalist counsel may overlook. Birchwood Legal's practice has grown specifically around these jurisdictions — and that focus has allowed us to develop a depth of understanding that informs every engagement we take on.
Our real estate work spans residential conveyancing, commercial property acquisition, and mortgage-related documentation. We work directly with real estate agents, mortgage lenders, and title insurers to coordinate the closing process — keeping your transaction on schedule without unnecessary complications.
In business law, our succession and transfer work is built around confidentiality and fairness. Business owners who have spent years building something want to see it transition well — whether to family, to management, or to external buyers. We design the documentation to reflect the intent behind the transfer, not simply to meet a legal minimum.
Regulatory compliance in Canada is an evolving area. Financial services, food production, and professional licensing each carry distinct obligations under both provincial and federal frameworks. Our advisory practice helps businesses understand where they stand and what adjustments, if any, are needed to maintain alignment with current requirements.
Have a legal matter to discuss?
We'd welcome the opportunity to hear about your situation and explain how we might be of assistance.
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