Les Scholly is an avid LESA volunteer based in Medicine Hat, Alberta with Pritchard and Co. Law Firm LLP. Recently appointed King’s Counsel, Les serves his clients with dedication and compassion. He practices in the areas of estate planning and administration as well as works closely with business owners to establish and maintain corporate structures – to efficiently operate at every stage. We chatted with Les to learn a little bit more about his practice, his interests, what motivates him, and why he volunteers for LESA. Read on!

Tell us a little bit about yourself: your education, experience, and how you came to practice law.

I was born and raised in Calgary and am a first-generation Canadian. My parents immigrated from Hungary during the 1956 Revolution/uprising. My father was the owner of a small business, and my mother raised me and my brother. I attended the University of Calgary, Faculty of Business with the intention of going into law school after.

My parents instilled the importance of a practical university degree. A business degree was a good fallback to law. I graduated with a BComm (finance) degree in 1990 and entered law school at the University of Alberta immediately after.   After graduation in 1993, I commenced articling in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Why Medicine Hat? Well, I had not secured an articling position, and a good friend of mine from high school who was working in Medicine Hat as a TV reporter told me he knew a firm that was looking for an articling student and said I should come down so we could hang out while I articled. As luck would have it, no sooner did I start articling did my friend land a job as a TV reporter in Winnipeg!

While I did not have a lot of connection to Medicine Hat, I really enjoyed my articling experience. I enjoyed the hands-on ability to connect and assist people.  While I articled without a firm plan to stay, I enjoyed the benefits of small city living while maintaining proximity to Calgary. I really did not know a lot about the practice of law prior to (or during law school), and I liked being able to help people with their legal problems and get them through tougher parts of their lives.

What motivates you in your practice?

The people. I am fortunate to assist my community with their legal issues.  In a smaller center, like Medicine Hat, I get to develop deeper, continuing relationships with great people.  I see clients in the office, but also at the fitness center, grocery store, and local events. I work with a team of talented, caring, and positive-minded individuals in my office.  I have a network of lawyers within the area of estate planning and administration who are also very talented, caring, and positive-minded. This group of lawyers are also connected through LESA. As well, I have opportunities to work on very interesting and unusual file matters – handling these challenging matters gives me a sense of accomplishment.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I find as I get older, I appreciate the correlation between providing excellent legal services and maintaining personal care. For me, personal care is typically in the form of exercise – including metcon training and trail running. I usually enter a few races a year. The race of choice in the last few years has been the spartan race. I like the idea of pushing what I perceive as my physical limits. I also enjoy fishing (both lake and ice fishing). I fished 10 Alberta lakes last year and caught fish in most of them (this may be a fishing tale).  I also enjoy spending time with my family doing physical activities like golf and pickleball and playing endless trivia games. My wife and I have a dog (Oakley) an aussie-doddle that is ever the center of our attention.

What is the most important piece of advice you have ever received?

I cannot limit it to one piece. As well the advice has changed over the years.  Some of the most noteworthy ones are:

If you have a concern on a file – talk to someone about it – even if that lawyer does not practice the same area of law as you do.  That idea of talking about it out loud has helped me walk through the issue.  If the issue is more serious, like I think I may have made an error, talking early moves it from ruminating to action.

The “big things” you think your client is really concerned about (you) are many times bigger in your head than they really are

Get over self-doubt.  That inner critic that says you are not good enough sometimes holds us back from something special.

Do you have any practice goals for 2026? For next steps in your career?

As I am the managing partner of my firm, many of my goals are based on improving our administrative systems and employing AI to improve those processes.

As a Refresher faculty member, what do you like best about the Refresher conferences?

The Refreshers are a great opportunity for social engagement and to share ideas and concerns with colleagues in a friendly/safe environment. The Refresher is an opportunity to collaborate and increase the shared knowledge base.  I have asked questions to speakers and have had attendees ask me questions as a speaker – it goes full circle.

Why do you volunteer for LESA?

I believe LESA is one of the best ways to increase the collective knowledge of the Alberta bar.  Being a presenter has allowed me to increase my own knowledge base by giving me time to research and think more deeply about topics that interest me and are practical to my practice.  You also build a network through the presenters that you don’t necessarily build by being an attendee.

What advice might you give to a new lawyer just starting out?

Build your lawyer connections both inside and outside of your firm and of course, through LESA by attending and presenting!