Team
Lisa M. Trach
Barrister & Solicitor / Founder of Trach Law
Lisa was born and raised in rural Alberta. She attended the University of Alberta, where she completed a Bachelor of Science, followed by a Bachelor of Laws in 2005. She was admitted to the bar in 2006 and has practiced in the area of trial litigation since that time.
Before opening Trach Law, Lisa practiced under Tom Engel, gaining expertise in police misconduct and excessive force litigation. She was counsel on the R. v. Jara case before the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench which resulted in one of the first sentence reductions due to police use of excessive force in Alberta, and was featured in a number of media pieces during her early career, including a segment by CBC National on the use of the Taser by police.
Lisa’s practice since opening Trach Law in 2012 has diversified. She primarily focuses on complex criminal matters, family files, and has developed an interest recently in advocating for access to justice for aboriginal accused. In 2019, Trach Law expanded and opened Trach Law North, which is based out of Slave Lake and handles matters in the surrounding areas including Peace River, High Prairie, and Wabasca. Lisa’s practice now spans all areas of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, and she spends much of her time in the Slave Lake office, where she handles a wide variety of matters including drug trafficking matters, sexual assault, and matters involving serious violence, as well as impaired driving and files involving domestic violence. In the past few years, Lisa has also taken on role as mentor to young lawyers and students and enjoys teaching and overseeing the other members of her office.
When she has spare time, Lisa can almost invariably be seen on the back of a horse. She is a horse enthusiast and competitive barrel racer and has travelled all of Alberta and into the United States competing in rodeo and other barrel racing events.
Olivia C. Manzer
Criminal & Family Lawyer
Olivia was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and moved to Calgary, Alberta when she was in High School. She returned to Nova Scotia to attend Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She completed her undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts where she received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics and a minor in Sociology. She later moved to Edmonton, Alberta where she attended the University of Alberta to complete her law degree.
While in law school, Olivia volunteered with Student Legal Services gaining practical experience in criminal and family law matters. She also completed a practicum with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre focusing on family law for low income individuals during her third year of law school.
Olivia joined Trach Law in September 2017 and worked part time during her final year of law school before beginning her Articles at Trach Law in August 2018. Olivia completed her Articles at Trach Law and was called to the bar on September 20, 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Olivia practices in the areas of family and criminal law. Her criminal defence practice covers a wide array of criminal offences, including but not limited to assault, impaired driving, drug possession and trafficking, domestic violence, weapons offences, obstruction, theft and other stolen property offences. Olivia’s family practice covers divorce, spousal/partner support, child custody and parenting, independent representation for children and child welfare matters.
Olivia practices in Edmonton, Slave Lake, High Prairie, Wabasca, Red Earth Creek, Peace River and surrounding areas. She offers a free consultation for both criminal and family matters.
In her down time, Olivia enjoys travelling, skiing and golfing.
Taylor N. Greer
Criminal & Family Lawyer
Taylor is Trach Law’s incoming articling student for 2020. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minored in Economics at MacEwan University. Taylor received her LL.B, from the University of York in the United Kingdom in 2019, with First Class Honours. Upon returning home to Edmonton, she began the Canadian Federation of Law Societies’ accreditation process while working as a legal assistant at Trach Law. Taylor gained experience while providing assistance with both criminal and family matters throughout Alberta.
While at law school, Taylor was involved with the York Student Legal Clinic, offering legal services to the local community in varying areas of law. She participated in multiple negotiation competitions and was selected to represent the University of York externally. For her work in oral and written advocacy within the Advanced Legal Skills course, she was awarded the Joan Samuel Prize. Taylor has volunteered with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton spending time as an Adult Court Worker, and Youth Mentor.
Outside of law, Taylor enjoys backcountry hiking, skiing, and spending time with her two dogs.
Melissa R. Erickson
Criminal & Family Lawyer
Melissa is a criminal defence and family law lawyer who strives to help clients navigate the legal system and ensure their voices are heard.
In her family practice, Melissa has been involved in matters dealing with separation, divorce, parenting time, child support, mobility, division of matrimonial and family property. She also has experience in child welfare matters.
In her criminal practice, Melissa defends clients who are charged with allegations ranging from property-related offences to firearms and weapons offences, and matters involving serious violence. She also has experience in SafeRoads Appeals for clients who have been given a Notice of Administrative Penalty for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Melissa, along with all of the lawyers at Trach Law, offers a free consultation for any of these legal services.
Prior to joining Trach Law as a summer research student and then articled student, Melissa graduated from the University of Alberta in 2018 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, with Distinction. During her undergraduate degree, Melissa served as Chair of the Edmonton Native Youth Justice Committee, an Extrajudicial Sanctions Committee for Indigenous youth.
During law school, Melissa focused much of her time on competitive mooting (or mock appellate-level advocacy). In her second year, she competed in the Alberta Court of Appeal Criminal Law Moot, successfully responding to an appeal of the recently adjudicated R v Le, 2019 SCC 34. In 2020, she tied for first place in the Brimacombe Moot, the Faculty of Law’s internal selection moot for upper-year students who want to represent the school at regional and national moots. Due to this success, Melissa went on to compete in the 2021 Wilson Constitutional Law Moot.
Melissa has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Odishaw Family Prize in Aboriginal Law, the Aloneissi Gower Pro Bono Community Service Award, and the 2021 Law Society of Albert President’s Award. These awards were a result of Melissa’s work with Student Legal Services, which offers legal services to low-income Edmontonians, in both the Civil Law and Criminal Law Projects. She was an Executive Member of the Women’s Law Forum for all three years of law school, and was a founding member of the Digital Law & Innovation Society.
In her spare time, Melissa tries to get outdoors as much as she can, and enjoys camping, kayaking, and downhill skiing.
Lynse, Georgia & Sheena
Trach Law Team
Trach Law could not function without these behind-the-scenes superstars. They are the first point of contact for the firm, and are a vital part of the Trach Law Team.
Lynse is our Office Manager. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, and keeping us all organized. She is assistant to Lisa Trach and Taylor Greer.
Georgia is Assistant to Olivia Manzer, and is responsible for office administration and accounting.
We are also pleased to welcome Sheena to the Trach Law family!
Our assistants are indispensable assets to Trach Law. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
Trach Law is Always Available
A lawyer from Trach Law is AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK to give you advice if you are in police custody. Take advantage of this FREE SERVICE.