Who We Are
Craig Tervit
Senior Lawyer
Craig is the founder of The Last Word. Born in South Africa before emigrating to Vancouver in 1995, he has the usual childhood of playing in the yard, going to school, etc., but can also tell you about the time a lion chased the family station wagon, and when he faced off with a small monkey over his snacks.
Craig completed his undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia – a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science. He moved to Calgary in 2010 for the combined Law/MBA program at The University of Calgary, fell in love with the city and has lived here ever since. Craig met his wife, Jen, in law school, and they now have three beautiful young daughters. Craig founded The Last Word in 2015 after realizing how much he loved to work one on one with clients to protect their families and plan their legacies.
Craig loves to volunteer. He is a board member of the Calgary Rotary Challenger Park Society (a park dedicated to inclusive activities for those with disabilities). Craig has also travelled quite a bit over the years, and has accidentally climbed a volcano in Iceland, gotten lost (literally) in the middle of the world’s oldest trees in Japan, stayed with monks in a monastery in Laos, worked with a carpet salesman in Turkey, and jumped off the third largest bungee in the world in New Zealand. While the travel has slowed down a bit in recent years (three young children and running a busy law practice will do that to you), he loves to visit new places with his family, to make sure that the travel bug is passed down to the next generation.
Jen Kirk
Corporate Lawyer
Jen is a Calgary-based lawyer, who has been practicing business law for many years. Her practical approach and in-depth knowledge allow her to quickly become a trusted advisor to her clients.
Jen has over 10 years’ experience providing strategic advice and representation to businesses, families, and individuals. Jen is highly strategic and understands the needs and pain-points of the industries and companies that she works with, saving her clients time and money.
Jen has worked for a mid-sized regional firm and a large international firm, however despite her success, Jen always felt disconnected with the way that large firm legal services are typically provided to clients. Jen’s goal as a leader has always been to empower and build up the people around her – helping organizations to develop long term strategies and become more independent.
Krista Pyra
Associate
Born and raised in Calgary, Krista’s journey into the legal profession was deeply influenced by her own family’s experience with estate planning. Witnessing the aftermath of her grandparents’ passing, she observed firsthand the impact of inadequate estate planning on family dynamics. Motivated by a desire to prevent such scenarios from occurring in other families, Krista dedicated herself to guiding clients through the intricacies of wills, estate planning, and trusts, coupled with tax planning strategies.
At the core of Krista’s practice is a genuine commitment to her clients’ well-being. She takes the time to understand their unique needs and concerns, ensuring that her legal advice is tailored to their specific circumstances. Whether it’s crafting a comprehensive estate plan or resolving complex estate disputes, Krista’s goal is to foster family harmony and ensure that her clients’ legacies are preserved for future generations.
Krista firmly believes that proactive estate planning is key to avoiding unnecessary conflicts and preserving family unity. Drawing from her own family’s experience, she emphasizes the importance of laying out a clear plan while individuals are still capable of doing so. Through meticulous planning and open communication, Krista strives to empower her clients to make informed decisions about their estates, providing them with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones will be taken care of.
While Krista is dedicated to finding amicable solutions to estate matters, she is also prepared to advocate fiercely on behalf of her clients when necessary. With a background in civil litigation, she understands the complexities of the legal system and is committed to protecting her clients’ interests every step of the way.
Krista Pyra
Andrea Quinlan
Legal Assistant
Andrea is originally from Tipperary, Ireland, and recently made the move to Calgary after spending a year and a half in Vancouver! She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Studies in Psychology from the University of College Cork, followed by a Masters of Law in International Human Rights Law from the National University of Ireland, Galway. This combination gave her a great blend of insights into human behavior and a strong grasp of legal principles.
Andrea’s ultimate goal is to practice law in Canada, and she somehow manages to juggle a busy work life with the additional challenge of preparing for the exams required to become qualified as a lawyer in Canada.
In her downtime, Andrea enjoys hitting the slopes for some snowboarding, exploring the local hiking trails, hanging out with friends, and organizing meetups to connect with fellow expats. Her active lifestyle and community involvement are helping her to settle in and make new connections here in Calgary.
Katherine Roess
Manager, Administrative Services
Katherine is a highly trained administrative professional with over 20 years of experience in corporate management, operations, and extensive experience providing legal support.
Katherine is extremely organized and highly responsive, with a demonstrated history of successful applications and happy clients. Her efficiency and keen eye for detail makes her an asset to ensure that clients receive value for the services provided.
