Our History
The firm of Knaut Johnson Francoeur has roots in the legal community that stretch back well over a century. James Kennedy Burgess graduated from Osgoode Hall and set up a practice in Camrose in 1905. He and Wallace McKay became partners in the firm known as Burgess & McKay. In 1916 Rev. C.G. Corneille articled with Burgess and McKay and in 1916 opened his own law firm with Wilfred L. Knaut under the name of Corneille & Knaut.
When Mr. Corneille died, W.L. Knaut ran the practice by himself, until his son, G. Rodney Knaut, joined his father’s practice in 1954. Soon after, the name of the firm changed to “Knaut & Knaut”. Upon the Death of W.L. Knaut, Rod took Norm Rolf as a partner and later Sandy Burgess. The law firm of Burgess & McKay was bought by Knaut & Knaut in 1968. Norm Rolf went on to be appointed a Provincial Court Judge.
Larry J. Johnson joined the firm in 1971 and retired in 2019, Rod Knaut Q.C. retired in 2010. In 2012, David R. Francoeur joined the firm and became a partner, and the law firm became known as Knaut Johnson Francoeur. Jeffrey W.H. Spady joined the firm as an associate in 2013.
Who We Are Today
Knaut Johnson Francoeur is a full-service law firm dedicated to the residents of Camrose and surrounding areas. The Partners are Barristers and Solicitors licenced to practice law in the Province of Alberta. We are dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal services. We strive to assist you in achieving your business and personal goals by listening to your needs. Through our meetings, we will develop a solid understanding of your goals and provide you with competent, responsive legal and administrative services.
Viking Firm
Francoeur opened it’s Law Office in Viking Alberta, in the old Sig Lefrude/John Hunter Law Office Building in April 2014. The office is led by David R. Francoeur, who is the lawyer responsible for the Viking Office, helping Knaut Johnson Francoeur establish and grow in the Viking area. David has deep roots in the Viking Holden area, his Great Grandfather, Hans Huseby having homesteaded near Holden in the late 1800’s, was married and raised his family in the area. The Huseby family continues to farm in the area 4 generations later.
David has further connections with Viking and the Sig Lefsrude building built in 1936, Sig Lefsrude was the brother in law of Davids’ Aunt, Lillian Lefsrude (Huseby). Lily married Alf Lesrude in 1931.