Kent Teskey joined the firm of Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey in 2013. Previously, he articled and partnered with prominent criminal lawyer, Peter Royal K.C.at the firm of Royal Teskey Barristers. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 2001 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Alberta in 2004.

Kent currently practices exclusively in the field of criminal defense at both the trial and appellate level. He has litigated numerous cases at all levels of court and on appeal. From the simplest offense to the most complicated of homicide cases, Kent’s practice runs the spectrum of criminal defense.

Kent’s practice is focused in the Edmonton area as well as northern and central Alberta where he has significant experience with the judges and prosecutors in these jurisdictions. He has litigated cases at all levels of Court in Alberta and the Supreme Court of Canada.

In law school, Kent developed a deep passion for advocacy and the principles of the criminal justice system. This passion drove him to become a criminal defense lawyer. Kent continually looks forward to the challenge of criminal law as well as the extraordinarily rewarding feeling from defending clients.

“My sole responsibility is to advocate for my clients and to protect them from the uncertainty of the criminal justice system. It isn’t sufficient to simply possess knowledge of legal principles – effective advocacy requires discretion as to how to best apply those principles to my client’s benefit.

The criminal justice system is characterized by uncertainty for the accused person. I provide value for my clients when I minimize that uncertainty and advocate for their best position.”

Kent served as President of the Law Society of Alberta for 2020 as one of the youngest Presidents elected in its over 100 year history. He was first elected in 2014 and was responsible for leading the Board regulating the legal profession in Alberta and its 10,000 lawyers.

Kent served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta from 2011 to 2020. The SSA is a Provincial Organization who serves people diagnosed with Schizophrenia through support, housing projects and through education and the goal of eliminating the stigma against the mentally ill in our society. The work of the SSA is a passion for Kent and it forms a large part of his passion for criminal defence law.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• In 2016, Kent was appointed King’s Counsel in recognition of his contribution to public life and the legal profession.
• In 2014, Kent was involved in significant pro bono litigation against the Provincial Government during the Legal Aid Crisis where low income Albertans were being denied coverage. He was awarded the Access to Justice Prize along with Dane Bullerwell for their work in this area.
• From 2004 to 2009, Kent served on the Board of Directors for Student Legal Services, a non-profit organization where law students provide poverty law services to low-income Edmontonians.
• In 2010, the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association awarded Kent the Bruce Gunn Award for Excellence in Advocacy.
• Kent currently teaches Advanced Criminal Law Advocacy at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law
• Kent has lectured extensively on criminal issues to lawyers, members of the judiciary and law enforcement.