Lawyer Profile
Derek A. Cranna
Edmonton, Alberta

Overview
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. Derek was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) for the Province of Alberta in 2020.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1999 (SK); 2001 (AB)
Professional Details
Education
Education
Rankings
Bar Admissions
University of Saskatchewan
Bachelor of Laws
1998
University of Saskatchewan
Bachelor of Arts
1993
Labour and Employment Law
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada
2026
Administrative and Public Law
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada
2025 - 2026
Alberta
2001
Saskatchewan (Inactive)
1999
Associations
Professional
Volunteer Work
Canadian Association of University Solicitors
Member
2008 - Present
Law Society of Alberta
Member
2001 - Present
Edmonton Bar Association
Member
2001 - Present
Law Society of Saskatchewan
Member
1999 - Present (non-practicing)
Canadian Bar Association
Member
1998 - Present
Canadian Association of University Solicitors (CAUS)
President
2020 - Present
Legal Aid Alberta
Chair of the Board
2013 - 2015
Legal Aid Alberta
Vice-Chair of the Board
2012 - 2013
Legal Aid Alberta
Board of Directors
2011 - 2017
Glendale Golf and Country Club
Member, Mens Sports Committee
2006 - 2015
Pro Bono Students Canada
Volunteer Mentor
2004 - 2010
University of Saskatchewan, Alumni Association
Member Communications & Finance Comm.
2000 - 2002
University of Saskatchewan, Alumni Association
Director
2000 - 2002
Edmonton Inner-City Housing Society
Director
2002 - 2004
Events
Previous
Next
Navigating Challenging People in the Discipline Process
Roundtable
Past
Apr 29, 2025
Articles & Speeches
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2026
Selected Decisions
Admissibility of Involuntary Statements
Conlin v Edmonton (City) Police Service, 2021 ABCA 287
Campeau v Knecht, 2018 ABQB 504
Kozina v Edmonton (Police Service), 2018 ABLERB 2
Deluca v Alberta (Law Enforcement Review Board), 2017 ABCA 252
Kozina v Edmonton (Police Service), 2017 ABLERB 20