Derek Jugnauth has been with Wolch Wilson Jugnauth since January 2013. Prior to joining the firm Derek completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance with Distinction (1997). Derek then spent ten years working for Accenture, one of the world’s largest business and technology consulting organizations, before changing careers.

In 2011 Derek earned his law degree from the University of Calgary. After graduation he articled at both the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP before turning his focus toward criminal law.

Derek works exclusively as a criminal defence lawyer, and has worked alongside industry heavyweights Hersh Wolch, Q.C. and Willie deWit, Q.C., as well as the other talented lawyers comprising the team at Wolch Wilson Jugnauth. Since becoming a barrister Derek has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and has (or is) defending clients across a wide variety of criminal code offences, including:

• Drug trafficking, importation, and production (marijuana grow-ops, powder/crack conversion);
• Fraud, theft, and other property offences;
• All forms of assault (domestic, sexual, aggravated, and assault with a weapon);
• Human trafficking and living off the avails of prostitution;
• Possessing property obtained by crime;
• Various firearm offences; and
• Manslaughter and murder.

Derek also represents clients who are facing civil forfeiture applications brought by the Government of Alberta against property where the government is alleging the property is either an instrument of crime or proceeds of crime.

While attending university Derek was recognized with a variety of awards based on academic achievement, including:

• The Brett Code Scholarship in Criminal Law for achieving the highest cumulative average in upper year criminal law courses;
• An Alberta Law Foundation Scholarship for exceptional academic performance;
• The L.H. Fenerty, Q.C. Law Prize for exceptional academic performance and extracurricular contribution;
• The Tom F. Mayson Award for excellence in legal research;
• The Top Oralist Award for excellence in oral advocacy at the Bennett Jones Health Law Moot;
• Dean’s List standing for exceptional academic performance;
• The top conference paper award relating to Derek’s work challenging the constitutionality of the criminal code prohibition against assisted suicide, which was later published in the journal Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues; and
• A MacLeod Dixon International Scholarship based on Derek’s international study option at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Derek is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Calgary Bar Association. He accepts both private and Legal Aid retainers and primarily serves clients in Calgary and the surrounding area.