Edward McCann
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Family lawyer, formerly schoolteacher and professor, Ed McCann has the experience and perspective that results from over four decades of experience with students, academics and clients. He earned an Honours B.A. in 1962 from Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, followed by his Diploma in Education in 1963 from the same institution. He taught at Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland until 1968. In 1970 he earned his M.Ed. degree from the University of Wales, and his M.Sc. in 1977 from the University of Bradford in England.

From 1969 to 1984, Ed was a Professor of Educational Psychology at Stranmillis College in Belfast, and an accredited Professor of Educational Psychology at Belfast’s Queen’s University. He then changed both his career and his country, coming to Canada to earn a LL.B. degree from the University of Calgary in 1986. He first worked with the firm of McConnan, Bion O'Connor & Peterson in Victoria before joining Soby Boyden Lenz in 1989, where he has since remained, becoming a partner in 1991.

Ed has litigated, in all levels of Court in Alberta, issues involving spousal and child support, custody and access, matrimonial and common law property division, international family law and child abduction, and same-sex relationships.

Professional Contributions

• President—Family Law Subsection, South Alberta Canadian Bar Association
• Instructor in Family Law, Bar Admission courses
• In-service courses for serving teachers; initiator of courses on Classroom Management
• Publications on corporal punishment in schools
• Presenter at Canadian Bar Association National Conference, Calgary, 2007;
  Alternative and Contemporary Parenting Issues and the Law

Memberships and Associations

• Past member of the British Psychological Society
• Past member of the Law Society of British Columbia
• Member of Law Society of Alberta
• Member of Canadian Bar Association
• Member of the Calgary Law Day Committee
• Advisory Panel, Sports in Schools, Northern Ireland Government

Community Service

• Board of Directors, Parents Anonymous/Children’s Cottage
• Board of Directors, Calgary French and International School
• Coaching forwards at James Bay Rugby Football Club of Victoria, and Calgary Irish Rugby
  Football Club
• Coaching forwards for the Canadian National Rugby Team
• Coaching Rugby at Western Canada High School, Calgary, 2008 and 2009

Interests

• Lifelong interest in competitive sports
• Played rugby at elite level in United Kingdom
• Running and resistance training
• Certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and as a Personal Trainer by the
  National Strength and Conditioning Association, U.S.A
• Graduate of Mount Royal College Personal Fitness Trainer Program

Personal
Ed was married in July 1982 and has one daughter born in June 1990.