HADFORD DEFENCE GROUP
Hadford Defence Group is a regional law firm providing consultation and representation for all criminal matters including appeals, drug offences, assault, firearms offences, robbery, break and enter, impaired driving, domestic violence, major crimes, theft and fraud, young offenders, and pardons. Hadford Defence Group has an exclusive focus on criminal law and provides round-the-clock and personalized service to clients in Southern Alberta. Each client’s personal situation is carefully considered while we work hard toward the best possible outcome every time.
Hadford Defence Group is located in the historic Paramount Theatre Building in downtown Lethbridge.
Hadford Defence Group is owned and operated by Scott Hadford, Juris Doctor.
OUR TEAM
K. Scott Hadford,
Juris Doctor
Scott Hadford, Juris Doctor, is a determined barrister and solicitor who welcomes the challenges presented by vigorously defending clients in all southern Alberta circuit points, running a successful trial practice, and maintaining a law firm in Lethbridge. Scott has experience appearing before the Alberta Court of Justice, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Scott’s work advocating for clients is reflected in numerous published court decisions. Scott is a current member of Legal Aid’s Criminal Youth Panel.
Scott believes in mentorship and has valued the mentorship he received as a young lawyer. Because of this, Scott makes himself available to assist junior lawyers when he can and volunteers with the Lawyer’s Assist program through the Alberta Law Society. Scott has been a volunteer for a moot court for Western Law’s Criminal Law Students’ Association at the University of Western Ontario.
Scott supports the community with pro bono work at Lethbridge Legal Guidance, volunteering regularly for special clinics and Law Day. Scott proudly supports Streets Alive, the Lethbridge Interfaith Foodbank, and the South Alberta FASD Justice Network. Scott has been a guest presenter at the Galt Museum, speaking about the issues in our community affecting criminality. Scott Hadford is a founding member and the Vice President of the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers’ Association and an active member of the Lethbridge Bar Association, the Alberta Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the Criminal Defence Lawyers’ Association.
Born and raised in southern Alberta, Scott Hadford practiced corporate law in the United States for eight years before returning home and being called to the Alberta Bar in 2008. Before returning to Canada, Scott was licensed to practice law in Arizona, Utah, and Idaho. In addition to corporate law, Scott has practiced some family law and represented many indigenous clients through the Indian Residential School settlement process in southern Alberta. Scott’s preferred practice, and his exclusive focus, is criminal defence.
Scott has two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Utah State University. Completing both with the summa cum laude distinction, Scott’s first degree is in Political Science, and the second degree is in Philosophy. Scott holds a Juris Doctorate from J Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, where he received multiple academic awards.
To retain or to book a free consultation with Scott, please call our office at 403-380-1999. We look forward to hearing from you.
Cara Lebenzon,
Juris Doctor
Cara Lebenzon, Juris Doctor, shows tremendous commitment to the defence of clients in her docket court appearances, negotiations with the Crown, contested sentencings, and growing trial practice. A graduate of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law. Cara holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts in Political Science and Government from Tel Aviv University. As President of one of the Law Student Associations at the University of Ottawa, Cara was honoured with the 2020 Student Leadership Award.
In addition to supporting the community with pro bono work at Lethbridge Legal Guidance, Cara Lebenzon is a member of the Alberta Prison Justice Society. She is an active Director on the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers' Association board, serving as Social Media Manager. She is an active member of the Lethbridge Bar Association. More recently, Cara has been appointed Southern Alberta’s representative for the Women in Canadian Criminal Defence group.
Before attending law school, Cara gained excellent skills as a senior branded content writer for international startup EX.CO and through other marketing roles in the tech industry. While completing her Doctor of Laws at the University of Ottawa, Cara had the opportunity to develop her interest in the practice of criminal defence in internships at Friedman Mansour LLP and with the Law Office of Rosalind E. Conway.
Born and raised in Calgary, Cara Lebenzon returned to Alberta to complete her articles at Hadford Defence Group, where she will continue her career as an Associate Lawyer after being called to the Alberta bar in July of 2022. Cara is driven to protect charter rights and skillfully advocate for clients.
To retain or to book a free consultation with Cara, please call our office at 403-380-1999. We look forward to hearing from you.
Steffanie Okrainec,
B.A., B.Ed.
Paralegal
Steffanie Okrainec holds a combined Bachelor of Arts degree, with a focus on history, political science and sociology, and a Bachelor of Education degree, with a focus on English, from the University of Lethbridge. Steffanie also completed a Legal Assistant diploma from Robertson College. She has been performing a broad range of Paralegal duties since 2018 and holds a Paralegal designation from the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals.
In addition to supporting the lawyers with research, writing, and complex file management, Steffanie is a Commissioner for Oaths. Steffanie finesses the legal practice at Hadford Defence Group with her attention to detail and commitment to clients. At Hadford Defence Group, clients are in excellent hands!
Heather Hadford,
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Business Administrator
After spending 25 years with the Lethbridge School Division, and the last 19 of those as a School Administrator, Heather brings vast experience in effective business administration, human resources management, and solution-focused problem-solving. Heather focuses on the business operations at Hadford Defence Group so that Scott and Cara stay focused on doing an excellent job of defending clients.
Heather received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Dalhousie University, as well as a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership, both from the University of Lethbridge. She is trained in Violence Threat Risk Assessment Level II training through the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Human Response, as well as Suicide Intervention Training through Lethbridge Family Services’ Outreach and Education Services. Additionally, Heather is a certified trainer/facilitator in the 7 Habits and in Fierce Conversations. In order to better support clients, Heather holds a Commissioner for Oaths appointment from Alberta Justice.
Heather received the YWCA (Lethbridge & District) Women of Distinction Award in 2017 in the area of Education and Mentorship. Heather has served as Chair of an Advisory Board within the Centre for Justice and Human Services at the Lethbridge College. Heather currently supports the South Alberta FASD Network Christmas Campaign, as well as the Angel Tree Christmas Campaign through Lethbridge Family Services.
Margaret Morse,
Juris Doctor
Student-at-law
Margaret Morse, Juris Doctor, is a recent graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Law. She was born and raised in Nova Scotia where she attended Saint Mary’s University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminology. Throughout this degree, she gained experience working with children at Children’s Intensive Services through the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Margaret also worked as a research assistant in the victims’ research lab at Saint Mary’s University.
During her law degree, Margaret Morse always had a strong interest in criminal defence. She had the opportunity to further this interest by working in criminal defence through an internship at LA Henry Law and New Brunswick Legal Aid. Margaret gained valuable skills from volunteering with Fredericton Legal Advice Clinic.
Passionate about advocating for clients and eager to experience other areas of Canada, Margaret Morse began her articles with Hadford Defence Group in June of 2023. Margaret is an active member of the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers association as well as the Lethbridge Bar Association.
Kim Schmold
Legal Assistant
Kim Schmold was born and raised in southern Alberta and comes to Hadford Defence Group with eighteen years of broad practical law firm experience from Dietrich White Law and Harold Moodie Law Office. Kim completed an online Paralegal diploma program in 2020. She also holds a Diploma with Distinction in Office Administration/ Bookkeeping from Business Career College Canada and a Commissioner for Oaths appointment from Justice Alberta.
Kim is a consummate professional whose razor sharp precision and attention to detail make her a welcome addition to Hadford Defence Group!