​
We offer flexible external general counsel services for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as expert governance and legal consulting for cooperatives — across Alberta, British Columbia, Canada, and internationally.
ABOUT US
We bring over 45 years of combined experience helping businesses, cooperatives and nonprofits thrive across sectors including agriculture, housing, telecommunications, utilities, healthcare, credit unions, grocery, insurance, and education.
​
We are committed to empowering entreprises with reliable, proactive legal support.
SERVICES
Whether you are an entrepreneur starting a new venture, a community group raising funds for a shared vision, or a growing organization facing the legal challenges of success, we offer tailored legal advice across a range of practice areas.
Incorporation/Re-structuring
Form businesses, co-operatives, non-profits, or charities with confidence, and adapt to change with legal clarity.
Corporate Law
Comprehensive legal support for businesses at every stage.
From formation to mergers and regulatory compliance, we’re here to protect your growth.
Commercial Law
Support for everyday business operations.
We draft and review commercial contracts, leases, transactions, and advise on regulatory issues to reduce legal risk.
Employment Law
Clear guidance on rights, obligations, and workplace issues.
We assist with contracts, terminations, workplace policies, and ensure compliance with employment and human rights law.
Board Governance
We train and advise directors on governance best practices, helping you reduce risk and earn stakeholder trust.
Sucession Planning
Secure the future of your business.
From identifying successors to legal documentation, we guide transitions in ownership and management.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Resolve disputes effectively — in or out of court.
We handle contract, employment, and real estate disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation when needed.
Flexible External General Counsel
Customized ongoing legal support — without the overhead.
Ideal for growing organizations seeking strategic legal guidance across all operations at predictable costs.
OUR TEAM
WILLIAM L. OEMICHEN
PARTNER
Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and he is now a Senior Research Fellow at the at the UW’s College of Agricultural & Life Sciences.
​
Currently pursuing a PhD in legal research at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Bill has taught cooperative and business law for decades across both the United States and Canada.
​
He is also a member of the Law Society of Alberta, and provides legal consulting to some of Canada’s largest cooperatives. He also serves on the Board of Farm Credit US — a cooperative financial institution supporting American farmers with over $350 billion in assets under management.
​​
​​He is a seasoned attorney and an expert parliamentarian, with a track record of advising organizations at the local, national, and international levels.
​
​
ELLIOT H. BRIDGEWATER
PARTNER
Elliot has been a member of the Law Society of Alberta for over a decade and was recently admitted to the Wisconsin Law Society. He has taught Cooperative Law at the University of Calgary and frequently serves as a guest lecturer on cooperative legal issues.
​
Since 2017, Elliot has provided independent legal services to community-minded businesses, with a focus on co-operative structure, governance, and sustainability.
He is an active member of the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA). He also serves as Canada’s Alternate Delegate to the International Cooperative Alliance Americas (ICA).
​
In 2023, Elliot was elected to the Board of Calgary Co-op, one of the largest retail co-operatives in Canada. In April 2025, he was appointed Chair of the Governance Committee, where he contributes his expertise in cooperative leadership and board oversight.
ADAOBI H. ANIKWE
STUDENT-AT-LAW
GABRIELA MARQUEZ
OFFICE MANAGER
Adaobi is a foreign-trained lawyer with over a decade of international legal and governance experience. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, and a Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. She is also a member of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC).
Before moving to Canada, Adaobi practiced law in both private and corporate settings in Nigeria. She served as Corporate Secretary and Compliance Officer at NGX Group Plc, the foremost securities Exchange in Nigeria, and as a Senior Associate at LPC Solicitors, where she advised clients on corporate/commercial, real estate, and employment matters.
​
In Canada, she has contributed to legal research at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, focusing on constitutional, energy, and securities law. She brings a strong focus on governance, regulatory compliance, and client-centered problem solving to her work with cooperatives and community-based enterprises.
Outside of her legal practice, Adaobi is active in volunteering, including roles with the Canadian Red Cross, her local school council.
Gabriela is our Office Manager and the heart of the firm’s operations.
She began her career in Venezuela and Argentina as a translator, language instructor, and entrepreneur. Her love for languages and communication led her to earn a degree in Translation, later certified by the University of Toronto when she moved to Canada.
​
Today, Gabriela keeps the firm running smoothly through her leadership in administration, bookkeeping, and client support. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, she brings a global perspective and strong communication skills to the team.
​
Her knack for office technology is especially appreciated—constantly finding IT solutions that make work more efficient and allow the lawyers to focus on their clients.
Outside of work, Gabriela dedicates time to volunteering and social causes, reflecting her commitment to community and service.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
“When individuals join in a cooperative venture, the power generated far exceeds what they could have accomplished acting individually.”
​
– R. Buckminster Fuller
CONTACT
Calgary/Cochrane
#15, 225 Railway Street East,
Cochrane, AB T4C 2C3 (By appointment only)
​
​
587-885-5900
Book a free 20-min video consult
To help us best serve your inquiry, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve.
​
Although we are looking forward to hearing from you, please do not include any confidential information in your message.
BACK TO TOP