The TAP Spotlight with Michelle Andresen

A big part of our dream for TAP comes from a desire to encourage, inspire, and celebrate people and organizations who are tapping into their potential. That’s why we created the TAP Spotlight—a regular feature that shines a light on individuals or companies using their gifts, talents, and experiences to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Michelle, the spotlight’s on you!

I have always considered myself an athlete. Not that I'm elite, but sports have always been a big part of my life. I’m inspired by athletes who overcome adversity. You never know what life will throw at you—so you prepare, you pivot, and you push forward. That mindset has carried me through everything.

Finding Confidence

After high school, I excelled academically—but like many students, I lacked guidance about how to channel my talents. I scored 98% on my biology diploma exam and briefly considered med school, but self-doubt crept in. I didn’t think I’d be able to keep up. I needed a coach. Someone to show me what was possible. I didn’t have that at the time.

I chose to pursue a teaching degree. I liked school, was good at it, and had a natural ability to mentor others. But despite loving my students, securing a full-time teaching position in Alberta proved incredibly difficult. I was married with a mortgage and wanted to have kids—I needed more stability.

After five years of contract-to-contract work, I began thinking seriously about law. I took the LSAT—and to my own surprise, I aced it. For the first time, I started to really see my potential.

Baby Lawyer with a Baby

I started law school with excitement and determination. I thrived, winning the Dean Percy Award for Student Excellence in my second year. But between my second and third year, I learned I was pregnant with my son, Layne.

I was thrilled—but nervous. Would the legal world accept a visibly pregnant law student? I made a plan: give birth in the summer, return for the fall semester, and graduate on time. I overloaded my second year with additional classes and planned to take night courses in my third. I made it work, thanks in part to classmates who cuddled baby Laynie while I attended class or meetings.

Interviewing for articling positions while visibly pregnant was another story. I let firms know that my pregnancy would not impact my work—Layne would be in daycare by then. Still, I was devastated on Hiring Day when the offers I hoped for didn’t come. I couldn’t help but wonder if things would’ve been different if I weren’t pregnant.

Choosing Not to Quit

It would’ve been easy to quit. I could’ve returned to teaching, found flexible work, and taken a different path. But I knew I could balance motherhood and law. I just needed someone to see that too.

One of the big firms did. I completed my articling term, was offered an associate position, and spent seven years with the firm before joining McAllister LLP, where I’m now a Litigation Partner.

Tackling Obstacles My Way

Athletes who come back from injury have always inspired me. I experienced this firsthand after suffering a serious concussion in a rec soccer game. I couldn’t read, use screens, or think clearly. Depression followed. My once-exceptional memory and word recall were no longer reliable.

But I fought back. I dedicated myself to healing. I reminded myself that I’d overcome doubt before—I could do it again.

Life continued to throw curveballs: a painful divorce, old trauma resurfacing, a dream wedding almost derailed by my mom’s accident, and of course, the global pandemic. Throughout it all, I remained grounded in my resilient mindset.

I’ve learned to seek out mentors and surround myself with support. But most importantly, I’ve built my confidence from the ground up. Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. And I’ve learned that success comes not just from grit, but from grace, flexibility, and belief in what’s possible.

About the Author

Michelle Andresen is a Litigation Partner at McAllister LLP in Edmonton, Alberta. She’s a mom to two hilarious boys and one Husky dog daughter, and she’s married to her best friend. A proud army brat, Michelle grew up across Canada and abroad. She’s passionate about mentoring new lawyers, providing free legal services through social programs, and cheering loudly on the sidelines as a soccer mom, basketball supporter, and full-time kid taxi driver. She is living proof that resilience, when paired with purpose, creates incredible momentum.