A conversation with accomplished lawyer and mentor Stephen Parker

University of Alberta Faculty of Law alumnus Stephen Parker's impact on the legal community goes beyond his professional pursuits. 

Not only is he a well-rounded legal practitioner but also a dedicated mentor committed to shaping a brighter future for Black lawyers in Alberta and beyond. In August, Parker, ‘05 LLB, was a featured speaker with the ELITE Program Pathway for Law, a program aimed at demystifying law school and connecting aspiring Black law students with inspiring professionals in the field.

In this Q&A, we had the opportunity to learn what inspired him to pursue law, how he’s given back to the community and his advice for Black law students.

What inspired you to pursue law and attend law school at U of A?

My parents made education a top priority in our household when I was young. My mother, Dr. Claudia Parker, was an accountant who also obtained her PhD in education. My father, Phillip Parker, was the fourth Black person to be called to the Alberta Bar. He was admitted in 1978 following in the footsteps of Violet King Henry, Lionel Jones and Sam Mason. He is still a practising criminal lawyer today in 2024. 

I knew that it would be a challenge for me to become a lawyer and that only a handful of Black lawyers had ever joined the ranks of the Law Society of Alberta. I chose the University of Alberta because I wanted to stay in the city of Edmonton where I was born and raised. I also wanted to continue attending U of A where I had obtained my Bachelor of Commerce degree while pursuing an athletic career.

Are there any highlights from your time studying law at U of A that you’d like to share?

I found the guest lecturers and practising lawyers who came to speak with the students to be particularly engaging. They shared their unique perspectives and experiences that offered a contrast to the academic study of legislation and case law. 

I did not engage in many extracurricular activities at the law school, although I played on the intramural soccer team. I spent most of my time in the law school library or in the medical sciences library where I had the opportunity to work as a member of the library staff.

In terms of career path, where has studying law led you and where are you in your career today?

In 2005, I articled at the Edmonton office of a large national firm. Shortly after completing my articles, I followed my principal and spent the next seven years practising at what became one of the largest international firms in the world. During that time, I became a licensed Trademark Agent and I practised mainly in the area of civil litigation. In pursuit of a better work-life balance, I then joined a boutique insurance defence firm.  

In 2015, I moved away from private practice and joined the in-house legal team of Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). I am currently the Regional Senior Counsel responsible for leading SGI’s legal department for Alberta and British Columbia.

You give back to the community through the ELITE Program Pathway for Law. Can you tell us about this experience and what it has taught you?

I am very happy that the ELITE Program Pathway for Law forum exists because it provides the opportunity to learn about the divergent paths that the co-panelists have taken to become lawyers as well as the obstacles that each of us has had to overcome along the way. I’ve heard common experiences shared by Black lawyers, and we’ve been able to share this knowledge with aspiring Black law students. 

At the ELITE event in August 2023, we had a room full of smart, ambitious, future Black leaders who were taking advantage of important networking and learning opportunities aimed at Black youth that are only starting to materialize due to increasing representation in the legal profession. My interactions with the event participants confirmed my belief that these types of initiatives are important tools for future Black legal professionals.

What advice do you have for Black students considering a future in law?

I would urge aspiring Black law students to remain focussed on the goal of becoming a lawyer and to persevere despite the unique challenges and biases that will likely be encountered due to their race. Do not become discouraged by the setbacks that inevitably occur when pursuing a lofty and challenging goal. It will be a lengthy journey that requires endurance and dedication. Many sacrifices will be necessary along the way. There is a relatively short but growing list of Black lawyers in Alberta, and these pioneering efforts in the legal community will continue only if there are future Black law students who ultimately become lawyers.

Lastly, we’ve heard you played for the Golden Bears basketball team. Can you tell me a little about that?

I played with the Golden Bears basketball team over the span of five years from 1997 to 2002. During that time, I was able to maintain good grades and I even became an Academic All-Canadian. In my final year, I was a CIS National Champion, CIS National Finals MVP, team MVP and the U of A Male Athlete of the Year. 

Additionally, in 2002, I played with the Golden Bears in a professional basketball tournament in Taipei, Taiwan. That year, I was also shortlisted by the Canadian National Basketball Team, but I decided to go to law school instead of playing overseas, so my basketball career was postponed for several years. It wasn’t until 2008 that I finally played professionally with the Edmonton Chill basketball team while also practicing law. These days, I continue to support the Golden Bears basketball team and I am happy to coach my son’s basketball team.