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Will van Engen

Direct: 587-525-6754

Cell: 780-297-9455

Email: wvanengen@bottoslaw.ca

Will van Engen is an experienced and respected trial lawyer who has represented clients at all levels of court in Alberta and at the Supreme Court of Canada. He has successfully represented clients charged with all manner of offences, including drug trafficking, robbery, sexual assault, murder, and fraud. He has experience conducting both judge alone and jury trials, and understands the importance of strategic decision making along the way. He is a firm believer that hard work and detailed, meticulous preparation are the ingredients of a strong defence.

In 2021, Mr. van Engen was honoured by the Criminal Trial Lawyer’s Association (CTLA) with the Peter Bruce Gunn Junior Barrister Award for outstanding work by a defence lawyer of 5 years or less experience.

Mr. van Engen graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2015 and completed his articles at DePoe & Bottos under the mentorship of seasoned trial lawyer, now Provincial Court Judge, D’Arcy DePoe. After becoming an associate he worked closely with Dino Bottos, K.C., respected trial counsel and leader of Bottos Law Group.

During law school, Mr. van Engen focused on criminal and constitutional law. He completed a number of advanced courses, including Advanced Evidence, Advanced Criminal Trial Advocacy, and Advanced Criminal Law. In his final year, he represented the University of Alberta at Canada’s premiere criminal law appellate moot, the Gale Cup, placing third overall and receiving the Peter Cory Factum Prize for best overall written argument.

Mr. van Engen was also extensively involved with Student Legal Services of Edmonton, a pro-bono legal clinic that provides free representation to low-income Albertans. During the summer after his first year of law school, Mr. van Engen was hired as a caseworker at the Criminal Law Project at Student Legal Services of Edmonton. He represented numerous individuals facing charges, including impaired driving, theft, and assault. In his second year, he was elected Criminal Law Project Coordinator, along with a colleague, and oversaw the representation of hundreds of individuals charged with criminal and regulatory offences in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Prior to attending the Faculty of Law, Mr. van Engen graduated from the prestigious Arts and Science interdisciplinary programme at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Before pursuing a career in law, he worked as a photojournalist and travelled to Afghanistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Burma, focusing on conflict and human rights issues.

Mr. van Engen understands that being charged with a criminal offence can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. If you have been charged with an offence or are currently being investigated, Mr. van Engen would like to meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your matter.

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Criminal Law Practice Areas:

Education

  • University of Alberta, 2015, JD

Memberships & Associations

  • Criminal Trial Lawyers Association

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