Kristian is an Partner at KMSC Law LLP, where he focuses on surface rights and civil litigation, particularly representing landowners in legal matters related to land use. His main practice areas include pipeline, padsite, and transmission line acquisitions, rental reviews, and recovering unpaid rent for landowners. Kristian also handles debt enforcement, construction and mineral liens, environmental contamination matters and a variety of business conflicts.
With a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta (2016) and a J.D. from the University of Calgary (2020), Kristian brings a unique perspective to his legal practice. Prior to becoming a lawyer, his experience as a Wildland Firefighter in Alberta and British Columbia provided him with valuable insight into land use issues in northern regions.
Kristian began his legal career at KMSC Law LLP, where he summered and articled before joining as an Associate in 2021. Kristian regularly appears before provincial regulatory tribunals, including the Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal, Environmental Appeals Board, Alberta Energy Regulator, and British Columbia Surface Rights Board. He has represented clients at all levels of Court in Alberta and has trial experience at both the Alberta Court of Justice and the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.
Outside of work, Kristian enjoys spending time outdoors, and with his wife and two young sons.
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Alberta (LSA)
- Canada Bar Association (CBA)
- Grande Prairie Bar Association (GPBA)
Education
- Juris Doctor, University of Calgary (2020)
- BSc, Biological Sciences, History Minor, University of Alberta (2016)
Community Involvement
- Director, Alberta Motor Association Advocacy & Community Services Board (2025–present)
- Member-at-Large, North (Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources) Section Executive, Canada Bar Association (2025–present)
- Member-at-Large, Grande Prairie Bar Association Board of Directors (2023–present)
Year of Call & Jurisdiction
- 2021, Alberta
- 2026, British Columbia
Relevant Pre-Law Experience
- Worked as a summer student in the legal department of a large multinational pipeline company (2019)
- Led wildfire crews on large-scale incidents as a crew leader and sub-leader with Alberta Wildfire Management Branch (2012–2017)
Languages Spoken
- English (fluent)
Representative Matters / Notable Cases
- Acted as counsel for a business owner in a slip and fall claim advanced by a former employee, successfully defending the claim and obtaining dismissal at trial in the Court of King’s Bench (2025)
- Successfully represented Wallan Farms in a compensation review where the Tribunal accepted comparables from outside the immediate geographic area, reported as Wallan Farms Ltd. v Cenovus Energy Ltd., 2024 ABLPRT 254 (CanLII) (2024)
- Acted as counsel for Abe Neufeld in the Long Run CCAA proceedings, advocating for landowner rights and the protection of surface lease claims in the reported decision Long Run Exploration Ltd (Re), 2024 ABKB 710 (CanLII) (2024)
- Acted as counsel for a personal representative in the Alberta Court of Appeal, successfully upholding the estate’s interests and obtaining orders for vacant possession and sale of estate property in the reported Qayutinnuaq estate decisions (Qayutinnuaq v Qayutinnuaq, 2021 ABCA 247; 2021 ABCA 259 (CanLII)) (2021)
