First Year of Call
Alberta, 1988

Areas of Practice
Family Law

Description
Diann has been practicing family law for over 30 years. She started her own practice representing Legal Aid clients from marginalized communities, whose complex cases were often refused by other counsel. Diann now has over 100 reported decisions at all three levels of courts—the Provincial Court, the Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Court of Appeal. Diann believes that all matters should be mediated, negotiated, and counselled before proceeding to litigation.

Born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan and raised in the small ranching community of Cochrane, Alberta, Diann received her Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the University of Windsor. She articled with the firm of Meurin & Isbister and was called to the Bar in 1988 and formed her own firm in 1991, now known as Castle & Associates. Prior to law, she received a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing in 1977 from Alberta Hospital Edmonton, a Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling in 1978 from Red Deer College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary in 1983. She worked as a nurse at the Foothills Hospital from 1980 to 1994 while completing her undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees. Diann’s background and education have taught her that every matter is unique, and all her clients are deserving of attention, care, and personalized strategies for success.

Diann has a passion for travel and has been fortunate to have travelled the world. In her travels to over 90 countries and territories, she has seen the Taj Mahal, the ancient ruins of Rome, the Great Wall, snorkeled the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, and enjoyed the best dishes across the Middle East. Diann's travels include, but not limited to: United States, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru (Galapagos Islands), Belize, Honduras, Paraguay, Urquay, Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands, Brazil, Barbados, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Caracus, Antiqua, St. Lucia, Saba, Bermuda, St. Barts, St. Maartens, Turks & Calcos, Grande Cayman, Jamaica, Aruba, St. Vatican City, Luxemburg, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Estonia, Poland, Finland, Russia, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Croatia, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Cuba, Gibraltar, Japan, Taiwan and Jordan.

What she appreciates most about these experiences is the life-long friendships she has developed with people from different cultures. Every encounter has enlightened and enriched her understanding of the world and has strengthened her ability to empathize with a broad range of people.