We’re more than a law firm, we’re like your legal family.

Throughout all that you’re facing, we’re the trusted member of your extended family who’s always there to help.

Our firm is a small group of dedicated professionals committed to criminal defence. We’re more like family than just colleagues. Unlike others practicing criminal law, we’re focused on combining and leveraging our collective experience to look after you and your legal issues.

From our skilled and highly esteemed Partners to the Associates and Support Staff who enhance our collective efforts, at Sitar & Milczarek we’ll look after you like you’re part of our family.

Kelsey Sitar Partner

Kelsey prides herself on her reputation as a tireless advocate in the pursuit of fundamental justice and fairness. Known for well-prepared and researched arguments, Kelsey primarily represents individuals charged with complex cases including large-scale white-collar crime, technology-based offences and charges stemming from violent crime investigations (which often include the use of Part VI or “wiretap” authorizations).

As a well-regarded appellate attorney (one who deals with legal appeals), Kelsey conducts the defence of her clients to preserve all avenues of appeal. She works with her clients to ensure, should it become necessary, that they are in the best possible position to contest their culpability or responsibility for wrongdoing at the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Born and raised in the Calgary area, Kelsey proudly demonstrates her leadership within and beyond the legal community and the clients she serves. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles appearing in the Canadian Criminal Law Review, has mentored students at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law and continues to refine her knowledge and practice of criminal defence. In 2018 she completed her Master of Laws advanced degree adding to her already impressive career.

Professional Memberships: Law Society of Alberta; Canadian Bar Association; Criminal Defence Lawyers Association; Criminal Lawyers’ Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Pawel MilczarekPartner

Pawel Milczarek (pronounced Pavel Mil-chair-ik) has developed a reputation as a tough litigator that defends his clients in and out of the courtroom. Regarded as a skilled lawyer with superior knowledge of the law and the ins and outs of criminal litigation, Pawel provides exceptional representation for his clients.

Pawel’s criminal practice focuses in the areas of drug offences, DUI or impaired driving, serious violent crime defence and provincial regulatory infraction defence. When the police or correctional authorities break the law, Pawel continues to represent the firm’s clients in lawsuits to obtain compensation. While wins are common, his extensive experience with written and appellate advocacy gives clients effective legal avenues for appeal.

Born in Poland, Pawel immigrated to Canada at the age of 7. He provides our firm the unique ability to effectively communicate with and represent members of Calgary’s Polish community. As the managing partner of our firm, and the author of our very own Defence Toolkit, Pawel is committed to ensuring the best client experience for all of our clients.

Professional Memberships: Law Society of Alberta; Criminal Defence Lawyers Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Canadian Bar Association; Canadian Civil Liberties Association; Calgary Bar Association.

Matthew DahlAssociate

Moving to Calgary to begin his legal career, Matthew joined Sitar & Milczarek as an articling student in 2018. He was called to the Bar of Alberta in December of 2019 after articling under Pawel Milczarek. He completed his Juris Doctor of Law with Distinction at the University of Saskatchewan in 2018. He also holds a Bachelor of Education with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan with a specialization in secondary chemistry and biology.

Matthew has worked on many complex cases at the firm and has developed a skilled approached to written advocacy within criminal trial and appellate work as well as civil litigation involving police and jail authorities. He maintains a busy trial and appellate practice involving a wide array of criminal matters.

During his time at law school, Matthew worked as a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing course. He also has experience in agriculture research from his time working for the federal government in the department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Matthew enjoys spending his free time outdoors hiking or inside reading a book. He also has a passion for sports, including hockey, soccer, and football. Matthew occasionally enjoys playing video games and tabletop role-playing games.

Julia HunterIncoming Articling Student (Anticipated Start Date in 2020)

Born and raised in Calgary, Julia joins Sitar & Milczarek after living in Ireland the last three years where she completed her LLB (Hons) at Queen’s University Belfast. While living in Belfast, she was employed as Research Advocate for the School of Law and gained valuable insights through work experience with a local human rights and criminal defence firm famously known for heading up the legal team during the Bloody Sunday Inquiry between 1998 and 2004.

She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria and has a particular passion for the pursuit of social and restorative justice. She gives a special attention to how networks of power shape people’s lives, experiences, knowledge and possibilities in relation to Indigenous and racialized identities, class, sexuality, age, ability, mental health and substance use issues, geographical location and more.

Before attending law school, Julia obtained a Paralegal Diploma with honours distinction in 2016 and worked as a legal assistant for Alberta Justice for a number of years. In the summer of 2018, she interned with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service where, under the supervision of Crown Counsel, ran a number of summary conviction trials. Julia brings with her over five years’ professional legal experience which furnishes her with an already working knowledge of criminal process and procedure.

Rebecca ShippleyLegal Assistant

A born and raised Calgarian, Rebecca attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic), graduating with a diploma in Geo Sciences in 2014. After various administrative jobs, Rebecca joined the Sitar & Milczarek team as a Receptionist in June 2018.

In her role as the firm’s receptionist, she often acts as a liaison between the firm and its clients. In addition, she adeptly maintains the firm’s day-to-day communication with the courts, other firms, clients and is often the first impression we make with any caller who phones or visits our office!

Outside of the office, Rebecca enjoys outdoor activities like camping, spending time with her husband, and solving puzzles.

Melanie HeinOperations Manager

Melanie began working for Sitar & Milczarek as a Legal Assistant in September of 2016, after graduating from the Legal Assistant/Paralegal program through the Chiu School of Business of Bow Valley College. By June 2018 she had taken on her new roll in the firm as Operations Manager ensuring that the daily operations of the firm were completed efficiently and to firm standards. Throughout her time she has assisted the partners and associates of the firm in all aspects of criminal, appellate, and some civil litigation in the Provincial Court of Alberta through to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Melanie is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies through blended residency and online correspondence. She has a particular interest in Restorative Justice and Alternative Measures Programs such as the work that the Calgary Drug Treatment Court offers non-violent offenders suffering from addiction. Upon graduation, Melanie hopes to be able to use her gained knowledge and passion for justice to assist the partners and associates of the firm to find the best possible solutions for each client’s unique circumstances.