Darren R. Bieganek, KC

As the Managing Partner and leader of the Insolvency and Restructuring practice at Duncan Craig LLP, Darren is a highly sought-after counsel for debtors, lenders, creditors, insolvency professionals, and other stakeholders involved in some of Alberta's most significant and intricate insolvencies. In addition to his insolvency and restructuring work, Darren is also experienced in handling complex corporate and commercial litigation cases, such as shareholder disputes, creditor remedy actions, priority disputes, and construction litigation. He has appeared as counsel at all levels of Court in Alberta, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Darren's expertise in the field of Insolvency and Restructuring has been widely recognized by his peers, with him being selected for inclusion in Canada's Best Lawyers since 2008. He was also named Lawyer of the Year in Insolvency and Restructuring for Edmonton and Northern Alberta in 2015, 2022, and 2023 and has been consistently recommended in Insolvency and Restructuring by Lexpert since 2011.

As an active thought leader in the field, Darren has prepared and presented papers and articles for various organizations, including the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Practitioners, Insight, and the Insolvency Institute of Canada. He presently serves as Chair of the Editorial Advisory Committee for the Insolvency Institute of Canada (IIC) and is a member of the Thomson Reuters Practical Law Canada Insolvency and Restructuring Advisory Board and the Alberta Court's Commercial Law Template Order Committee.

Darren received the prestigious King's Counsel (KC) appointment in 2012, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and community. He was born and raised in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, where he learned the value of hard work and the importance of commitment to family and community. In his free time, Darren enjoys spending time with his loved ones, playing golf, and taking trips to his foothills retreat near Jasper with his partner and their two dogs to enjoy hiking, fishing, and the fresh air.

In Darren’s Own Words:

"I grew up in a small town in Alberta. I have always been a hard worker with a hunger to learn and attribute those personality traits to my parents, who instilled in me the value of hard work and continual learning. When I was in my first year of law school, the company that my dad worked for over 35 years went bankrupt, and with that bankruptcy, my dad, and hundreds of others who worked for that company, lost a huge portion of their pensions, never to be fully recouped. That event still serves as a catalyst for me to understand why businesses fail and what I can do as a lawyer to minimize the impact of that failure on businesses and their stakeholders. My dedication to continual learning and hard work is my most valuable asset in this challenging field. For over 33 years, I have played a crucial role in helping businesses and their stakeholders navigate these complex situations. I can help businesses avoid common pitfalls and minimize the impact of business failure on all stakeholders."