W. DONALD GOODFELLOW K.C.
CO-FOUNDER

In 1964, German Lutz & Coady recruited two articling students from Dalhousie and Don was one of them. It was in those early years that Don realized he wanted to become a litigator. The firm principals provided him with a fast learning experience and exposed him to many forms of law including construction/civil and criminal. He wrote briefs but he also began handling high profile cases. Don extended his learning and he grew his network by attending the Canadian Bar Association annually beginning in 1965. Four years into his career, Don was a named partner at the firm and had been to the Supreme Court of Canada three times.

 

One of Don’s first major cases in civil construction was a precedent setting case related to builders’ liens on reserve land. His success and his growing knowledge in this area drew the attention of those responsible for delivering the Alberta Bar Admission course who, in 1971, invited him to begin instructing articling students on builder’s liens. This led to his writing the related bar admission materials.

 

Goodfellow Law

That same year, Don formed Goodfellow Pearce McKenzie. The partners practiced together for sixteen years as Don became increasingly specialized in Construction Law. Don served as a Bencher with the Law Society of Alberta from 1980 to 1990. He was appointed King's Council (Alberta) in 1983. Then, in 1987, Don started Goodfellow Law and became a sole practitioner.

 

Professional Associations

Don continued to contribute time and expertise to professional associations including the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. He has provided expert testimony and has made significant contributions to legal education in Canada. He has served as a member and was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Legal Education Society of Alberta. The Calgary Construction Association named Don “Champion of Education” and established a scholarship in his name for a construction apprentice as a result of the many courses he has taught for the construction industry. He has been a mentor on construction and ethical topics to countless articling students and lawyers over his career.

 

Don has a Chartered Arbitration Designation from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada, is Past President of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta.

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Family

The youngest of three sons, Don was born July 22, 1939 in Brantford, Ontario. Don’s father was General Manager of the Cockshutt Plow Company. When Don was nine years old, his father became a farm equipment dealer and moved the family to Brandon, Manitoba. Don completed a Bachelor of Arts at Brandon College (University of Manitoba) where he thrived as a debate champion then he put himself through Dalhousie Law School as his father had passed away. Don married Lois in 1964 and they settled in Calgary where they raised their daughter. Today, they have five grandchildren. Don and his wife often vacation at Lois’ family home in Spry Harbour, just outside of Halifax.

 

Community Involvement

In addition to Don’s extensive professional contributions, he has been very active in the Calgary community since he began his career here. He was President of two Kiwanis clubs, became Lieutenant Governor and then Governor of the Western Canada District of Kiwanis International. As President of the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada, he founded the Understand Canada Program. Don served as Trustee at the Kiwanis International Foundation. For the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival, Don served as President. He was also President of the Alberta Music Festival Association and the Canadian Musical Festivals. He was member of the Board of Directors of the First National Competitive Festival of Music.

 

He is a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which was founded by the Vatican in the 12th Century. Membership is by invitation only and by approval of the Vatican.

 

The youngest of three sons, Don was born July 22, 1939 in Brantford, Ontario. Don’s father was General Manager of the Cockshutt Plow Company. When Don was nine years old, his father became a farm equipment dealer and moved the family to Brandon, Manitoba. Don completed a Bachelor of Arts at Brandon College (University of Manitoba) where he thrived as a debate champion then he put himself through Dalhousie Law School as his father had passed away. Don married Lois in 1964 and they settled in Calgary where they raised their daughter. Today, they have five grandchildren. Don and his wife often vacation at Lois’ family home in Spry Harbour, just outside of Halifax.