CRT Legal

CRT Legal Your local law firm with a global reach.

Based in Central Alberta, we provide trusted legal services in Canadian Immigration, Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Corporate and Commercial Law and Civil Litigation.

Big news from our team!CRT Legal earns two CommunityVotes Red Deer 2026 awards: Platinum in Immigration Lawyer and Lawye...
09/01/2026

Big news from our team!

CRT Legal earns two CommunityVotes Red Deer 2026 awards: Platinum in Immigration Lawyer and Lawyers, and Bronze in Real Estate Law and Lawyers for Karen Howley.

These awards come from votes cast by our community, and we are grateful for the trust placed in our team.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote. Recognition like this reflects the relationships we build every day with the people we serve.

Community Votes | Red Deer | Alberta Law | Immigration Lawyer | Real Estate Law | Central Alberta | CRT Legal

This is one of our favourite times of year at CRT Legal.Across Alberta, international students are celebrating their gra...
08/25/2026

This is one of our favourite times of year at CRT Legal.

Across Alberta, international students are celebrating their graduations, and with that comes an important legal transition. From student to worker. From temporary status to, for many, permanent residency. From studying in Canada to building a future here.

For many graduates, the Post-Graduation Work Permit is the first step. From there, opportunities can include Express Entry, provincial nomination pathways, employer-supported permits, and eventually permanent residence.

Swipe through for a simple overview of what this journey can look like. If you or someone you love is at this crossroads, our immigration team can help make sense of what is next.

Immigration Canada | New to Canada | Alberta Law | Red Deer | Central Alberta | Permanent Resident | Law Firm Life

Meet Vesna Higham, Business Development Manager at CRT Legal.Vesna brings a rare blend of legal expertise, public servic...
08/21/2026

Meet Vesna Higham, Business Development Manager at CRT Legal.

Vesna brings a rare blend of legal expertise, public service, and community leadership to CRT Legal. She holds an undergrad degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon; a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto; was called to the Alberta Bar in 1992; and has spent over thirty years living and working in Central Alberta, including raising five children with her husband, Doug.

She served three terms as an elected official on Red Deer’s City Council, seven years on Red Deer’s Municipal Planning Commission, and nearly two decades as an adjudicator on appeal boards across the province.

The daughter of immigrant parents from a former European communist country, Vesna's path into public service has always been driven by a deep sense of civic duty. That same quiet leadership shows up in every corner of the work she does at CRT Legal.

We are grateful to have her with us.

In Vesna’s words, "Start somewhere, anywhere, to step outside your comfort bubble and reach out for something new. Keep making connections in your community. Doors will open. Your circle of influence will grow. Meaningful change often happens incrementally over time."

Behind The Firm | Meet the Team | Alberta Law | Red Deer | Central Alberta | Law Firm Life | Team Spotlight

For newcomers to Canada, home ownership can feel like something that has to wait until permanent residency comes through...
08/11/2026

For newcomers to Canada, home ownership can feel like something that has to wait until permanent residency comes through.

It does not.

Work permit holders can, and often do, purchase residential property in Alberta. For many newcomers, a home purchase is one of the most meaningful steps toward building a life and putting down roots in their new community.

There are practical considerations worth reviewing, including financing, tax implications, and how your immigration status intersects with the purchase. However, none of these are barriers. They are simply part of the process, and our team helps individuals and families navigate them every week.

If you have delayed this conversation because you thought you had to wait, consider this your sign to explore your options. You may be closer to home ownership than you think.

Real Estate Law | Alberta Real Estate | Red Deer | Home Ownership | Central Alberta | Alberta Law

As back-to-school season arrives, parents mark off the essentials: school supplies, emergency contact forms, class sched...
08/04/2026

As back-to-school season arrives, parents mark off the essentials: school supplies, emergency contact forms, class schedules, and lunch plans.

One important item often gets overlooked: a Will with guardianship provisions.

This document allows you to choose who would care for your children if you were no longer able to. Without a legally valid Will that includes those instructions, that decision may be left to the courts rather than the people who know your family best.

A Will is not about fear. It is another way to care for your family and confirm your wishes if the unexpected happens.

If this is something you have been meaning to do, our team is here to make the process straightforward, supportive, and easy to understand.

Wills and Estates | Estate Planning | Alberta Law | Plan Ahead | Central Alberta | Red Deer

Summer has a rhythm of its own.Longer days. Slower afternoons. A little more room to breathe.For anyone with immigration...
07/28/2026

Summer has a rhythm of its own.

Longer days. Slower afternoons. A little more room to breathe.

For anyone with immigration paperwork ahead, this is also the calm before the season picks up. As September nears, applications, permit renewals, and processing activity typically increase. Files that move quickly through the quiet summer months may face longer waits once fall arrives.

Whether you prepare a permanent residence application, renew a work permit, or plan a family sponsorship, now is a good time to gather your documents and review your next steps before the busy season begins.

A little preparation today can make the months ahead feel far more manageable.

Our immigration team is here whenever you are ready.

Immigration Canada | New to Canada | Alberta Law | Red Deer | Central Alberta | Permanent Residence | Immigration Lawyer | Work Permit | Family Sponsorship

Meet Karen Howley, Founder of CRT Legal.Karen's story is one of choosing something new. In January 2014, she and her hus...
07/21/2026

Meet Karen Howley, Founder of CRT Legal.

Karen's story is one of choosing something new. In January 2014, she and her husband left London, England behind and stepped into the unknown of a new country. What followed has shaped everything about the firm she leads today: relationships built over time, families welcomed home, a business grown alongside the community that welcomed her own.

That lived experience is not something she leaves at the door. It informs every conversation she has with the clients who trust her with their most important legal matters, particularly those navigating their journeys to Canada.

In Karen's words:

"The relationships I value most are the ones built over time. I enjoy working with individuals and families who are building something meaningful, whether that is a new life in Canada, a home, a business, or a plan for the future. I take the time to understand the full picture so I can offer legal advice that is practical, protects what you have built, and supports where you are headed."

Behind The Firm | Meet The Team | Alberta Law | Red Deer | Central Alberta | Law Firm Life | Team Spotlight

Receiving an offer on your home is an exciting milestone, but it is only the beginning of the legal process.From reviewi...
07/14/2026

Receiving an offer on your home is an exciting milestone, but it is only the beginning of the legal process.

From reviewing the purchase contract to completing title searches, preparing the official Statement of Adjustments, coordinating with your mortgage lender, and ensuring all legal documents are in place, a great deal happens behind the scenes before closing day arrives.

Understanding each step can help you feel more confident throughout the process and avoid unexpected surprises at the closing table.

Swipe through for a clear look at what happens on the legal side after you accept an offer.

Our real estate team supports residential real estate transactions across Central Alberta, helping sellers navigate each stage with clarity and confidence. We are here when you are ready.

Real Estate Law | Home Seller | Alberta Real Estate | Red Deer | Real Estate Alberta | Central Alberta

Contracts are designed to provide certainty when expectations are not met. Whether you are dealing with an unfinished pr...
07/07/2026

Contracts are designed to provide certainty when expectations are not met. Whether you are dealing with an unfinished project, an unpaid invoice, a breached agreement, or a dispute that has been left unresolved, you have legal options. In many cases, resolving a contractual dispute does not begin or end in a courtroom.

Understanding your rights early can strengthen your position and create more opportunities for resolution. Waiting too long can limit the options available to you.

If you are facing a contractual dispute and are unsure of your next steps, CRT Legal can help you understand your options and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Civil Litigation | Contract Law | Alberta Law | Dispute Resolution | Know Your Rights

For many Canadians, July 1st is a celebration! For many others, it is something even more personal. It is the day they o...
07/01/2026

For many Canadians, July 1st is a celebration!

For many others, it is something even more personal. It is the day they officially became part of the country they chose, worked toward joining, and now proudly call home.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside individuals and families as they navigated the journey to build a life in Canada. We have celebrated approvals, milestones, and new beginnings with people from all over the world who now call Central Alberta home.

Today, we are reflecting on those journeys, and on the many stories of courage, determination, and hope that helped bring them here.

To everyone celebrating their first Canada Day as a Canadian citizen, congratulations and welcome to this next chapter.

Happy Canada Day from all of us at CRT Legal! 🇨🇦

Please note that our office will be closed on July 1st for Canada Day and will reopen on July 2nd.

Canada Day | New to Canada | Immigration Canada | Central Alberta | Proudly Canadian | New Canadians Welcome

Address

104, 4911 51 Street
Red Deer, AB
T4N6V4

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+15872075943

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