Sharon Roberts is a commercial litigator, arbitrator, occupational health and safety (OHS) lawyer, and a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor. Sharon helps businesses (and in some cases individuals) throughout Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan with contract review and analysis, shareholder and other commercial disputes and safety advising and prosecution.
On the commercial litigation side, Sharon represents business clients through "corporate divorces" where shareholder disputes are fraught with blame, suspicion, theft, forgery and fraud. Sharon assists clients with other contract disputes as well as construction contract interpretation, drafting and coordination. As part of her commercial litigation practice, Sharon also resolves intellectual property disputes brought in the Alberta and Federal Courts. Sharon has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta as well as the Federal Court, administrative tribunals and arbitration panels. She also clerked to a Justice of the Federal Court and Court Martial Court of Appeal in Ottawa from 2004 through 2005.
Sharon’s experience includes working with oil and gas, construction, mining and real estate clients regarding contaminated lands and waterways, remediation, reclamation and related environmental matters.
Sharon assists clients with estate litigation and related disputes, including where issues of capacity and vulnerable adults are involved
She also partners with Indigenous clients and has worked to resolve Aboriginal rights, titles and land claims before the Alberta and Federal Courts and represent Indigenous business clients in dispute resolution matters.
Sharon is a Qualified Arbitrator and enjoys assisting parties resolve contract, construction, estate and municipal law matters outside the court process.
In her OHS practice, Sharon balances issue identification, crisis management and investigation work with advice and program development to help clients identify and control hazards and prevent potential injuries and fatalities. She also advises on the obligation to prevent psychological injury and ensure the physical and psychological well-being of Alberta workers. With the changing legal landscape in this area, Sharon is poised to help industries review and revise existing OHS frameworks and to guide organizations without existing OHS processes.
Sharon’s areas of practice include:
- Corporate and commercial litigation
- Construction disputes
- Construction contract review and revisions
- OHS planning, prevention, investigation and defense
- Psychological health & safety advising and workplace audits
- Arbitration
- Environmental advising and litigation
- Estate litigation
Value to Clients
Sharon has training and experience in mental health and wellness. Her compassion and experience with mental health issues and developmental disabilities enable her to diffuse difficult situations and reduce her clients’ stress while resolving their legal issues.
"I am an assertive litigator who tackles the most urgent priorities efficiently. I am responsive to clients and maintain an excellent level of client service."
Outside the Office
When Sharon is not working and volunteering, she is spending time with her family. She enjoys running, writing and animal rescue.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor
2020
Listed Corporate and Commercial Litigation
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada
2021
James Alexander Burgess Bryce Memorial Award
University of Alberta
2004
Bennett Jones Student Scholarship
University of Alberta
2001
Edmonton Community Legal Centre
Volunteer
2002 - Present
Alberta Genealogical Society
Volunteer
2007 - Present
Alberta Lawyers Assistance Society
Director
2010 - Present
Pro Bono Law Alberta
Volunteer Lawyer
2012 - Present
Zoe's Animal Rescue Society
Volunteer
2017 - Present
Women in Leadership: Stand Out as a Leader
Co-Chair