Victoria Foster, BA, JD
LAWYER, ARBITRATOR & MEDIATOR
EMAIL: info@fosterlegalservices.ca
I have a Diploma in Police Studies from Grant MacEwan College, a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice from Athabasca University, and a Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. I articled at a downtown law firm in Red Deer, Alberta, and continued my practice in the areas of family and criminal law at the firm until December 2012. I have had experience dealing with all areas of family law, and have had courtroom experience in both the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta.
In January 2013, I embarked on the new and exciting journey of opening my own law practice in Red Deer - Foster Legal Services. My goal in establishing Foster Legal Services was to ensure that all Central Albertans had adequate access to justice, specifically by assisting those people who are self-represented feel confident and competent in their abilities to present their matters before the Court. Courtrooms can be scary places, even for lawyers, and my goal is to assist people in better navigating their way through the entire process.
I am an active, practicing member of the Law Society of Alberta. I am a current member of the Central Alberta Bar Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Alberta Collaborative Law Association, and the Alberta family Mediation Society. I also sit on the Human Services Appeals Panel and the Law Enforcement Review Board. My desire to help others and give back to the community has allowed me to act as a volunteer lawyer both with the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic and the Red Deer Public Schools Community Programs. My pride and joy are my two children, and I love spending time with my family and our dog, exploring new places, going on holiday, and just having fun.
In addition to my traditional legal practice, I also offer mediation and arbitration services and I represent children in child welfare and high conflict family law matters.
In January 2013, I embarked on the new and exciting journey of opening my own law practice in Red Deer - Foster Legal Services. My goal in establishing Foster Legal Services was to ensure that all Central Albertans had adequate access to justice, specifically by assisting those people who are self-represented feel confident and competent in their abilities to present their matters before the Court. Courtrooms can be scary places, even for lawyers, and my goal is to assist people in better navigating their way through the entire process.
I am an active, practicing member of the Law Society of Alberta. I am a current member of the Central Alberta Bar Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Alberta Collaborative Law Association, and the Alberta family Mediation Society. I also sit on the Human Services Appeals Panel and the Law Enforcement Review Board. My desire to help others and give back to the community has allowed me to act as a volunteer lawyer both with the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic and the Red Deer Public Schools Community Programs. My pride and joy are my two children, and I love spending time with my family and our dog, exploring new places, going on holiday, and just having fun.
In addition to my traditional legal practice, I also offer mediation and arbitration services and I represent children in child welfare and high conflict family law matters.
TERESA LORENZ, JD
LAWYER
EMAIL: TERESA@FOSTERLEGALSERVICES.CA
I have been working primarily in the areas of family law, child welfare and wills and estate planning since I was called to the bar in 2012. I understand that clients often find these matters to be stressful and confusing and I work with clients to provide guidance, lend a supportive ear and to help them make better informed decisions for themselves.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from Concordia University College of Alberta with dual majors in English and Political Economy and received my Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2011. I articled with a downtown Red Deer firm, where I worked for five years as an associate. I then worked at the Community Legal Clinic in Red Deer as the Senior Staff Lawyer for four and a half years, working mainly in the areas of family law and wills, as well as public legal education and access to justice initiatives. I have courtroom experience in both the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
I am currently serving a term on the Executive Committee of the Central Alberta Bar Society and will be starting a term as a board member with The Lending Cupboard. I am also continuing on as a volunteer with the Community Legal Clinic in Central Alberta. I look forward to working with Foster Legal Services as I share the values of access to justice and I am currently accepting files on a limited scope basis or can provide full representation. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, learning about new cultures, travelling and drawing.
LAWYER
EMAIL: TERESA@FOSTERLEGALSERVICES.CA
I have been working primarily in the areas of family law, child welfare and wills and estate planning since I was called to the bar in 2012. I understand that clients often find these matters to be stressful and confusing and I work with clients to provide guidance, lend a supportive ear and to help them make better informed decisions for themselves.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from Concordia University College of Alberta with dual majors in English and Political Economy and received my Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2011. I articled with a downtown Red Deer firm, where I worked for five years as an associate. I then worked at the Community Legal Clinic in Red Deer as the Senior Staff Lawyer for four and a half years, working mainly in the areas of family law and wills, as well as public legal education and access to justice initiatives. I have courtroom experience in both the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
I am currently serving a term on the Executive Committee of the Central Alberta Bar Society and will be starting a term as a board member with The Lending Cupboard. I am also continuing on as a volunteer with the Community Legal Clinic in Central Alberta. I look forward to working with Foster Legal Services as I share the values of access to justice and I am currently accepting files on a limited scope basis or can provide full representation. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, learning about new cultures, travelling and drawing.
MICHAELA RUSSELL
PARALEGAL
EMAIL: ASSISTANT@FOSTERLEGALSERVICES.CA
I graduated from the Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic) Legal Assistant Diploma program in 2017 and completed my practicum with a large firm here in Red Deer. In April 2019, I began working with the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic where I specialized in the areas of Family Law and Estate Planning; I worked with them for almost four years before joining Foster Legal Services in March 2023.
In January 2022, I obtained my Paralegal designation and became an Alberta Registered Paralegal later that year and in February 2023, I obtained my Certified Legal Coach designation.
I joined the Board of Directors for the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals in 2020 and have been acting as the Secretary since October 2020; I continue to be involved in many of the AAPP's ongoing projects including the Student Honour Society and Mentorship Program.
I have participated and continue to participate in various speaking engagements, including speaking engagements with current Legal Assistant program students as well as presenting Public Legal Education Information sessions.
My hope is to continue providing clients with exceptional work products and support in my capacity as a Paralegal.
In my off time, I enjoy various creative pursuits such as reading, writing, drawing and Bullet Journaling as well as spending time with my spouse and my two cats.
PARALEGAL
EMAIL: ASSISTANT@FOSTERLEGALSERVICES.CA
I graduated from the Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic) Legal Assistant Diploma program in 2017 and completed my practicum with a large firm here in Red Deer. In April 2019, I began working with the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic where I specialized in the areas of Family Law and Estate Planning; I worked with them for almost four years before joining Foster Legal Services in March 2023.
In January 2022, I obtained my Paralegal designation and became an Alberta Registered Paralegal later that year and in February 2023, I obtained my Certified Legal Coach designation.
I joined the Board of Directors for the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals in 2020 and have been acting as the Secretary since October 2020; I continue to be involved in many of the AAPP's ongoing projects including the Student Honour Society and Mentorship Program.
I have participated and continue to participate in various speaking engagements, including speaking engagements with current Legal Assistant program students as well as presenting Public Legal Education Information sessions.
My hope is to continue providing clients with exceptional work products and support in my capacity as a Paralegal.
In my off time, I enjoy various creative pursuits such as reading, writing, drawing and Bullet Journaling as well as spending time with my spouse and my two cats.