Mark Demas
Mark is a co-founder of Demas Schaefer Family Lawyers. Mark practices in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, child support, family property, spousal support, and cohabitation / marriage agreements.
Mark was born in Australia to Canadian parents looking for adventure. The family moved back to Canada shortly thereafter, ultimately settling in Southern Alberta. In 1991 Mark moved to Edmonton, where he has resided ever since. He is an avid sports enthusiast who participated in many sports as a youth. He continues to play hockey, though not nearly as well as he once did. In his spare time, he also enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.
Mark graduated from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, in 2008 and was called to the Bar on July 31, 2009. Prior to practicing law Mark spent 18 years in the pipeline construction industry, working from Vancouver to Thunder Bay, Ontario and various parts in between. He also spent time building pipelines in Russia both in 1993 and again in 1996. Desiring a career change and wishing to spend more time with his family, Mark left the pipeline industry to pursue a career in law.
Mark articled with a large Firm in Edmonton. After declaring an interest in family law he moved to a boutique family law firm in Edmonton. In 2020 Mark partnered with Sean Schaefer to form Demas Schaefer Family Lawyers.
Mark practices exclusively in the area of Family Law. His practice covers all issues in this area, including divorce, custody, child support, parenting time, property distribution, spousal support and the preparation of marital and cohabitation contracts. Mark will also prepare wills, personal directives and powers of attorney for his family law clients.
Mark is trained in collaborative law and mediation. This training allows Mark to help clients or participants in a mediation achieve a tailor-made resolution in a respectful, efficient and cost-effective manner. Mark is currently training to be an arbitrator.
Mark works hard to find solutions for his clients that are fair and equitable. He enjoys interacting with clients and recognizes the stress surrounding the breakdown of relationships and the need for effective representation. In understanding these difficulties his preference is to first explore the possibility of negotiated settlement, which is less stressful, more cost effective and can provide a more certain outcome. Mark also recognizes that in some situations negotiating is not an option. In these instances Mark is prepared to take a more forceful approach and proceed by way of litigation. Mark ensures that time is taken at the outset to gather information from his clients and to provide them with legal information so that the most appropriate approach is taken in each particular circumstance.
Mark previously sat on the Board of Momentum Walk In Counselling, a not-for-profit organization providing mental health counselling services for individuals who cannot pay or wait for aid through the traditional health care system. He has regularly volunteered at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre Family Law Clinic, providing legal information to those whose financial circumstances may otherwise preclude them from being able to obtain such information. Mark acts as a Child Support Resolution Officer.
In 2018 Mark spent 2 weeks in Moldova teaching law students about how our legal system operates in a free and democratic society. That trip culminated in Mark judging a moot law competition involving about 50 students from several law schools in the country. In 2023 Mark had the pleasure of assisting with judging the Edmonton contingent of students in preparation for the 1st annual Morrison LLP Family Law Moot.
Sue Kelly
Sue has over 25 years of experience working as a paralegal and family law legal assistant. Sue loves helping clients navigate the legal system and overcome hurdles they face in their divorce and separation.
