Profile: Karolina Dec - Barrister and Solicitor

Karolina joined the real estate team at Maverick law in January, 2025. She graduated from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law in 2011 and completed her last semester at the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law in Denmark. She was called to the Bar in Manitoba and British Columbia and is now a proud member of the Law Society of Alberta. Prior to getting her law degree, Karolina received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and psychology from the University of Manitoba.

Before joining Maverick Law, Karolina gained extensive litigation experience working in Manitoba and Vancouver in the areas of insurance, criminal and family law. With her litigation background, she brings a solution focused approach to each real estate transaction.

Born in Poland, and raised in the prairies of Manitoba, Karolina moved to Alberta with her family in 2017. She lives near Cochrane with her husband and two kids. When not practicing law, Karolina spends her time cooking, gardening, mushroom foraging, creating memories with her family and caring for their various farm animals.

Profile: Carolyn Collins , Barrister & Solicitor

Carolyn joined Maverick Law as a Barrister & Solicitor, after completing her Articles with the team in 2024. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Calgary, and went on to study International Political Strategy at the University of Copenhagen before going on to the University of Edinburgh where she earned her degree in Law.

Carolyn brings a unique combination of legal understanding, strategic leadership, client focus, and program management experience to her practice at Maverick Law. She transitioned to legal practice from a successful career in a private non-profit, where she led innovative programs across North America that applied evidence-based neuroscience to drive systems change in policy and practice in healthcare, education, government, and legal sectors.

Born and raised in the Cochrane area, Carolyn draws upon a background in competitive equine sport, and combines experience in the breadth of practice areas that Maverick Law offers the community into an Equine Sport Law practice with a cross-border scope. Carolyn holds an EU citizenship, and loves travel and comedy.

Profile: Jen Rasmussen - Office Manager

Jen joined the team in May 2023 and brings over 20 years of administrative experience, including areas like budget creation and oversight, bookkeeping, and payroll. Jen was born in Cochrane and was happy to return here almost 10 years ago with her husband, two kids, and various family pets. She is excited to learn more about legal processes and to be part of a local business here in Cochrane (including a shorter commute), after 16 years in a non-profit setting in Calgary.

In her spare time, Jen enjoys reading, a good cup of coffee, and paddle boarding when it’s warm enough

Profile: Stephanie Kilbride, Legal Assistant

Stephanie Kilbride joined Maverick Law in 2014 as a courier and quickly became an integral part of our team. She is now our assistant in our Redwood Meadows office. She supports our team in the areas of Real Estate, Wills, and Family Law and is often the first point of contact for our Redwood / Bragg Creek clients.

Prior to joining Maverick Law, Stephanie worked for over a decade in the oil and gas industry supporting the Safety and Environment and Operations Teams.

In her free time Stephanie enjoys being surrounded by family and friends, feeding others, gardening, reading and tracking down who stole the last piece of the puzzle. She loves long walks with her doggie, is a night owl, and lives for camping.

Profile: Alannah Kowalewski, Legal Assistant

Alannah joined the Maverick Law team in the Fall of 2024, bringing with her 9 years of experience as a real estate paralegal. After obtaining her Paralegal licence in Ontario and spending a short time in a different area of law, Alannah made the move out to Alberta where she started working in real estate law. Having previously worked for law firms in both Banff and Canmore, Alannah has extensive experience in both residential and commercial transactions, including those within the nearby National Parks.

Outside of the office, Alannah can be found chasing after her two young children and spending time with her husband.

Profile: Kaitlyn Aspinall - Legal Assistant

Kaitlyn joined the Maverick Law team in early 2025, bringing with her 8 years of experience as a legal assistant in several different areas of law including Corporate Commercial. After graduating from SAIT in 2016, she gained experience working for various law firms in Calgary, Alberta. She brings extensive knowledge of legal administrative duties and practices to our team. Outside of the office, Kaitlyn can be found enjoying the outdoors and spending time with her partner and beloved dog, Peanut.

Profile: Upinder Jit Kaur - Administrative Assistant

Upinder joined the firm in 2026 as an Administrative Assistant, bringing over 10 years of experience in customer service, administration, and technology. Her tech background sharpened her problem-solving skills and attention to detail, which she now applies to supporting the firm's daily operations.

Originally from India, Upinder has called Canada home since 2016 and settled in Cochrane, Alberta, in 2024. Fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, and English, she is committed to creating a welcoming, organized environment where every client feels supported from their first interaction.

Outside the office, she enjoys time with her husband and their dog, Blue.

Profile: Vienna Hackl - Legal Assistant

Vienna Hackl earned her Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from the University of Calgary, where she developed a strong foundation in legal research, corporate law, and legal analysis. During her undergraduate studies, she co-authored research that was presented at the University of Calgary Conference on Teaching and Learning and later accepted for publication.

Vienna was also selected to participate in the Lex Fellowship in Washington, D.C., where she explored a broad range of legal practice areas through case studies, negotiations, courtroom observations, and visits to leading law firms and legal institutions. These experiences strengthened her interest in the legal profession and reinforced her commitment to pursuing a career in law.

Outside of the office, Vienna enjoys spending time in the gym, exploring Calgary’s restaurant scene, and continuing to expand her legal knowledge and experience as she prepares for law school. She also enjoys travelling, spending time with family, friends, and her mini-dachound Boots!

Profile: Carmen Ryan, Business Manager

Carmen has worked with Maverick Law for over 10 years in Business Operations and Accounting. Prior to operating Maverick Law with her husband, Dave Ryan, Carmen worked in the Market Research industry for over 10 years. She worked for companies such as Ipsos-Reid, SAIT, and Praxis as a Research Manager and Consultant. Carmen earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. She then continued her education at the University, publishing her Thesis on Destination Branding in the Journal of Travel Research and earning her Masters of Business Administration.

When not busy with her three children, Carmen enjoys being in nature and skiing and hiking with her family. A day in the mountains is a day that is never wasted!