Laurie Anderson
Partner, Calgary Family Law Associates, Barrister and Solicitor
Debbie Johnson
Partner, Calgary Family Law Associates, Barrister and Solicitor
To ask Laurie or Debbie a question, email d@blus.com
Laurie (Left)
MARIE SAINT PIERRE Aphrodite Gold Collar Top, Zipper Neckline SKU 1636050 $880.
MARIE SAINT PIERRE Skirt Black Side Zipper SKU 9149240 $540
EILEEN FISHER Stretch Silk Top SKU 0764440 $195
ELA Handbag Blk Fur Mini Bucket SKU 1530210 $375
Debbie (Right)
EILEEN FISHER Blk Knit Scrunch Neck Top Sku 1455020 $308.
EILEEN FISHER Pant Twill Drawstring Colour Surplus SKU 1382220 $245
SUZI ROHER Scarf “For Art Sake” Sku 1195310 $345
TISSA FONTANEDA Half Moon, bubble leather tote Colour green SKU 0877110 $2,510.00
Debbie (Left)
MARIE SAINT PIERRE Colour Galaxy Jacket Amun Scuba SKU 1637150 $1,380.
MARIE SAINT PIERRE Laram Pant Black SKU 9269650 $560.
EILEEN FISHER Hi-low shell in bone, SKU 1671510 $295.
KARYN CHOPIK Handmade Glass, Copper, Swarovski Pearl Necklace SKU 10000309 $480
SHEREEN DE ROUSSEAU Coin Necklace Moonstone SKU 1235610 $390
THIERRY RABOTIN Black/Blue Flat Ankle Boot SKU 15391D0 $525
ISSEY MIYAKE BAO BAO Silver Bag, Lucent SKU 1208110 $560.
Laurie (Right)
LUISA CERANO Gold/Green Collared Jacket SKU 1567220 $795
LUISA CERANO Techno cotton pant, colour Pine Green, SKU 1572730 $395.00
LUISA CERANO Silk Hi-Low Blouse Green SKU 1568230 $365
KARYN CHOPIK Necklace SKU 10000140 $240
TISSA FONTANEDA Taupe with Nappa Bubbles SKU 9827210 $1,595
Debbie (Left)
ANNETTE GORTZ Leather Sleeve Jacket Black SKU 10009419 $1,115
ANNETTE GORTZ Pant Soft/Pleat BlackSKU 1550570 $755
FABIANA FILLIPI White Shirt W/ Silver Chains SKU 1463040 $615
Laurie (Right)
LUISA CERANO Scarf Urban Jungle Print SKU 1568510 $375
LUISA CERANO Knit/Crew Neck Sweater Colour Pink SKU 1567930 $575
LUISA CERANO Cotton Cargo Pant Olive Green SKU1567430 $495.00
ABRO Forrest Green Hobo Bag SKU 10014399 $399
We meet exceptional women every day.
Girl Bosses is our chance to share a few of their stories, their memories, their advice and their humour. Please enjoy.
THE INTERVIEW WITH DEBBIE
What is the best advice ever given to you?
I’ve found that for me the best advice often comes in the form of an action and not the spoken word. Viewed in that context, my father gave me a wealth of advice which he expressed through his actions. He was kind, loving, and would give someone the shirt off of his back if needed. Dad lived his advice: be kind, be generous, be respectful and love one another. I strive each and every day to live by his mantra, even if it’s something as small as giving out a cheerful, “Good Morning” or a respectful, “Thank You.”
Looking back, what is the best advice you would give to yourself at age 25?
Wow! Well when I was at that age some would have argued that I was naïve as the dickens but with time comes experience and wisdom. So now my more experienced and wiser self would tell my naïve age 25 self: Don’t blindly believe everything that you hear. You must always Question, Research, and Test for the Truth before going all in.
Who have been the influential people in your life? How did they influence you?
That’s a tough one because so many different people have strongly influenced me at different stages in my life. I will start with my mother. She has been a driving force throughout my entire life. She instilled in me that with hard work I could achieve goals which may far exceed my initial expectations. She is the strongest woman that I know. My father, although he was well seasoned Oil Rig Drilling Foreman, taught me so much about kindness, love and respect. The late Honourable Chief Judge Gail Vickery was a very dear and loved friend who provided me with much understanding, guidance and strength when I needed it the most. My friend, Carole O’Gorman, reminded me to appreciate and learn from the trials, tribulations, and unexpected joys from life. It sounds silly, but I believe our persona is continually molded by our experiences and the people with whom we spend our days.
What are your favourite qualities in another person?
Actually, it is a love-hate quality – direct and absolute honesty. Honesty is usually accompanied by direct starkness, sometimes embraced and in the end, always greatly appreciated.
What is your idea of happiness?
Sitting with my guy, the children and grandchildren playing nearby.
What is your idea of misery?
When someone cuts you down for either no reason or in a non-constructive manner. It can take its toll on your self confidence.
What was your most regrettable fashion purchase?
LOL. Nothing from BLU'S that’s for sure. I was living in California at the time and decided to take a peek inside this fabulous glitzy shoe store. To my surprise they massaged my feet and even brought a glass of wine. The salesperson put these absolutely ludicrous shoes on me, but man they were the cats meow. They cost a pretty penny, but I bought them. I never could wear them for longer than a minute but for that minute that I did, people looked at my foot like it was the stepsisters foot from Cinderella.
What talent would you like to be gifted with?
I would love to have a flawless memory.
If you could be any historical figure, who would you be?
Julia Child. I don’t cook, but the same personality – She was a tall and awkward woman, beautiful, herself but welcoming and joyful, thought outside of the box and everyone around her loved her for it. She changed the world in her own way.
Make three predictions about the future.
This is not a prediction but it is hard not to see that the world is in a rough spot right now and is prime for some potential scary things to happen. Nuclear war, global warming, super-viruses - if people would just remember that we have had some very incredible figures live in this world, including but definitely not limited to: Martin Luther King, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Irene Joliot-Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt. If humanity can shine through, and we realize that there is no such thing as race or hate; if we are kind to each other and show respect; if we respect nature, respect our body... we will be fine.
- The Rock will be President.
- Brad and Angelina will get back together.
- The world will slowly but surely learn to accept and love each other for our differences and similarities.
What is the dress code for success?
Confidence exudes from the clothes you wear. They have to fit, be comfortable, and reflect your personality. In our profession, suits are the style of the day and it is always nice to have a few different styles that step outside the box of traditional.
How important is image?
Very important. People listen when you are confident and take a presence. It is hard to change a first bad impression.
Short Bio:
I grew up on a farm south of a small town called Alder Flats in Alberta. I have lived in some fun places, including Hawaii and California. I had a successful business on mainland China. It hasn’t always been easy or perfect – and like everyone else – went through trying times. Those trying times were captured by the author Patricia Morgan in her book "From Woe to Wow: How Resilient Women Succeed at Work.”
I needed a career choice that would support my two children and at 37 I decided to become a lawyer. When I learned that the Political Science undergraduate degree had the highest percentage of acceptance into law school, I started there. My kids spent a lot of time at the University when they had professional development days.
In the end, law has been very good to me. Laurie and I have been together since my beginning in law and recently – together with two other amazing legal minded women – started Calgary Family Law Associates. Our firm has a team of 10 lawyers with 149 years of legal experience.
Best memories: I volunteered at the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter and one night this bruised and battered well-spoken high school graduate came in holding a baby. Her mom had flown in from afar. I was giving legal advice about child support and parenting when I asked her why she didn’t go to University. She didn’t think she could. I told this was the perfect time. I told her what to do and where to go. My reward came a few months later when I received a phone call that she was enrolled in University and her child was doing just fine. It brought tears to my eyes.
Wardrobe styled by Cheryl Neumann Manager, BLU'S Southcentre
Ms. Neumann is available by appointment.
Email cheryl.n@blus.com
THE INTERVIEW WITH LAURIE
What is the best advice ever given to you?
When considering law school I pointed out to my mother that by the time I was finished I would be 40 years old! She said, “You’re going to be 40 anyway, hon.” Sage advice...
Looking back, what is the best advice you would give to yourself at age 25?
Follow your heart and if that means taking a chance, go for it!
Who have been the influential people in your life? How did they influence you?
Family and close friends, and members of the various women’s communities in Calgary who always had faith in my abilities, who encouraged me to forge ahead, and who supported me in every endeavour.
What are your favourite qualities in another person?
Self-assuredness, honesty, reliability and accountability. 
What is your idea of happiness?
Overall satisfaction with life - I’m living it!
What is your idea of misery?
Isolation from others.
What was your most regrettable fashion purchase?
Black leather winter boots with 4” stiletto heels – simply too high to walk in – and in winter – what was I thinking?! Those boots were uncomfortable even when I was sitting down! Foolish purchase but they looked great on the shelf and they were such a great price... sigh.
What talent would you like to be gifted with?
A higher tolerance level for ridiculousness.
If you could be any historical figure, who would you be?
Benazir Bhutto.
Make three predictions about the future.
- We will be okay.
- It will all sort out.
- We will figure things out; remember, we started as cave people!
What is the dress code for success?
Buy what you love; love what you have! (from Cheryl, Manager, BLU'S Southcentre)
Rely on those “in the know” to guide you with making investment purchases, i.e. high quality clothing from reputable designers will see you through.
How important is image?
It is important to me as a lawyer to maintain a professional image at all times.
Short Bio:
Laurie is a family law lawyer with the Calgary Family Law Associates. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 and her law degree from the University of Calgary in 1999. While in law school, Laurie spent the summer of her first, second and third year working with the Court Preparation and Restraining Order Program at Calgary Legal Guidance which provided legal information and assistance on family and criminal matters to victims of domestic violence. Laurie completed her articles with Calgary Legal Guidance and was called to the Bar in September, 2000.
Laurie is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Section and regularly attends seminars and courses with the Legal Education Society of Alberta to keep up-to-date with the evolving issues in family law. Laurie has appeared before The Provincial Court of Alberta, the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal. She has a keen interest in parenting issues and issues related to domestic abuse. Laurie strives to ensure that her clients receive the most efficient and cost-effective service.
Laurie currently volunteers her time at the Women’s Centre, on various projects related to domestic abuse as they arise from time-to-time, and as an informal resource to women’s shelters. In her spare time Laurie enjoys squash, golf, travel and getting out to the mountains to snowshoe and cross-country ski.
Laurie was granted a Tulip Award from the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, 2010, Community Partnership Award from the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, 2005, and the Jerry P. Selinger Award for outstanding contribution to domestic violence prevention November, 2002.
Wardrobe styled by Cheryl Neumann Manager, BLU'S Southcentre
Ms. Neumann is available by appointment.
Email cheryl.n@blus.com