Derek Cranna, KC

Derek Cranna, KC is a member of Field Law’s Professional Regulatory and Labour and Employment practice groups, with a focus on administrative law in the context of professional regulation, policing, labour, and occupational health and safety.

Derek acts as counsel to Alberta regulatory organizations and municipal police services, particularly in the investigation, disposition and prosecution of disciplinary matters, as well as acting as independent legal counsel to disciplinary tribunals. In the policing context, he represents leaders of police and peace officer services in all matters involving professional discipline, civil litigation, employment and human rights issues. His practice includes representation of major Alberta post-secondary educational institutions in providing labour relations, human rights, policy and governance advice. Derek also provides both policy advice and representation to governmental organizations and private entities in occupational health and safety matters.

He is a member of the Alberta bar and has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta, as well as before the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He also has considerable experience acting as a Presenting Officer in police disciplinary proceedings, before the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board, and before the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Derek was a member of the Board of Directors for Legal Aid Alberta from 2011 - 2017 and was the Board Chair from 2013 - 2015. He was formerly the President of the Canadian Association of University Solicitors (2020-21), and previously acted as a director for the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association and of the Edmonton Inner-City Housing Society. He has been a member of Field’s Executive Committee since 2019. Derek was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) for the Province of Alberta in 2020.