Steven M. "Steve" Shafir, KC

Steve is a partner acting on behalf of financial institutions and other creditors in debt recovery and realization, including both secured (foreclosure, mortgage enforcement) and unsecured (judgment enforcement) debts. After earning his B.A. (2000) and his LL.B. (2004) from the University of Alberta, he was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2005 and the Nunavut bar in 2009.

Steve was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2022.With over 15 years of experience, Steve has represented clients before the Provincial Court of Alberta, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Alberta Court of Appeal and the Nunavut Court of Justice.

Steve provides unparalleled service to his clients and strives to obtain the highest recovery possible on behalf of those he represents while working with debtors to rehabilitate debts in default. His clients rely on him to administer entire default portfolios and look to Steve to protect them from financial and reputational risk in a cost efficient, expedient and innovate manner.

Steve provides limited consular assistance services on behalf of the State of Israel to its citizens living in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.

Steve has also acted for victims of terrorist attacks and has assisted in obtaining judgment and restitution in favour of families of victims against terrorist entities and those who finance terror.

Steve has taught the “Being a Landlord” course as part of Metro Continuing Education’s “Law for the Layperson” series and has lectured to real estate agents at the Edmonton Real Estate Board on the foreclosure process in Alberta. He has taught courses on foreclosures and collections for the Legal Education Society of Alberta and has contributed to materials published by the Society. Steve is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Debtor and Creditor Law and Foreclosure Law subsections. In 2021 and 2022, Steve assisted members of Alberta Justice in designing, implementing and testing the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta's "Justice Digital" electronic filing system. Steve also provides pro bono services to several community organizations.

Away from work, Steve is extremely active in the community. He currently sits on the board of several community organizations both locally and nationally, including as a Director of Canada’s Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs, as the Past President of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton.

Steve served as the Vice-Chair of the City of Edmonton's Next Generation Task Force. In 2009, Steve received the National Award of Excellence for his commitment to the Canadian Jewish Community. During this time he co-chaired the National Young Leadership Israel Advocacy Program for the Canada Israel Committee, and through this position led missions for Members of Canada’s Parliament to Israel. Steve was a Director of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA for a period of 4 years from 2017-21. Steve has also coached minor soccer.