Der Barristers Team

Der Barristers is a distinguished boutique law firm exclusively dedicated to the practice of criminal law. At the helm is Balfour Der, K.C., a legal luminary with a remarkable blend of experience and an unblemished reputation. Balfour’s career spans a dynamic trajectory from a prosecutor with a decade-long tenure, handling hundreds of serious criminal cases at both trial and appellate levels, to a defence lawyer par excellence in private practice. In Calgary, Alberta, and throughout Canada, Balfour has skillfully represented over 5000 clients, demonstrating an unwavering passion and intensity in his work that has remained as vigorous as it was at the start of his illustrious career.

Der Barristers stands out in the legal landscape for its commitment to the highest ethical standards and exceptional client service.

Accompanying Balfour Der is a carefully handpicked team, each member resonating with his values and approach to law. Balfour personally oversees the professional development of each lawyer, ensuring adherence to the firm’s high standards of service. Our lawyers are renowned for their competency and dedicated personalized service. Clients benefit from our collaborative team approach, which may involve all four lawyers working on a file, or a combination thereof, enriched by firm-wide discussions and less formal interactions over lunch and coffee.

Our primary source of new clients is through word-of-mouth referrals, a testament to our authentic and organic practice of law that attracts a diverse client base from local, national, and international origins. The firm is anchored by a long-standing staff, each member deeply knowledgeable in the firm’s policies and procedures and dedicated to maintaining our high standards.

Joining Balfour Der in this legal endeavor are esteemed colleagues Lisa Burgis Der, James McLeod, and David Roper. Together, we form an inspired, structured, and outgoing team, firmly believing that honesty, integrity, and vision are the cornerstones of a successful legal practice. At Der Barristers, we are more than just a team of lawyers; we are a unified front, passionately advocating for justice and the rights of our clients.

Balfour Der has been described by the Calgary Herald as “arguably Calgary’s top defence counsel.” He has consistently received the preeminent 5 out of 5 peer rating from lawyers…

You will not find a more experienced and well-regarded female criminal defence lawyer in Calgary. Lisa became a lawyer in 1997 and since then has practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law…

James was born in Calgary, but was raised in Okotoks. He attended the University of Calgary to complete his undergraduate degree in Political Science, and then obtained his J.D. from Thompson Rivers University Law in Kamloops, BC….

David, an Associate at Der Barristers, is a dynamic member of the team who has cultivated a reputation for relentless dedication and a keen understanding of the law. Born and raised in Toronto, David moved to Calgary during his formative years.
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