Profile

My approach as a Canadian tax, trust and estate lawyer is to blend legal insight with emotional intelligence, translating complex tax and non-tax matters into clear, actionable guidance.  Often serving as a trusted advisor in international and cross-border estate and trust planning, I also frequently handle complex disputes with Canada Revenue Agency.  Since tax is not a siloed specialty, my role is to act as a strategic cornerstone in helping my clients achieve their desired result with clarity, confidence and even a sense of ease.

Through my role as a director of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and as the host of a highly-rated tax podcast, I have ongoing conversations with leading experts and a front-row seat to the evolving landscape of tax and estate planning globally.  Bringing this experience to my practice allows me to support clients with a technical depth and real-world insight.

Client needs have become increasingly multifaceted, with cross-jurisdictional considerations now the norm rather than the exception.  It is rare to encounter a client whose planning is not influenced by factors such as international assets or beneficiaries, blended family dynamics, or long-term dependency considerations. 

As these complex planning considerations often intersect with contentious tax issues, my tax litigation practice is a natural extension of the advisory work.   While I love the courtroom and have extensive experience in running trials, I am equally focused on achieving efficient and strategic resolutions for my clients. Whether that means negotiating a favourable settlement or advancing a matter through litigation, I tailor my approach to the needs and risk tolerance of each client. 

I am passionate about making tax law accessible and engaging, while demystifying complex issues for diverse audiences. I am frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and professional events on topics such as tax litigation, trust and estate planning, and complex estate administration.

Awards & Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers in Canada – Tax Law (2024); 2025 (Tax Law and Trusts and Estates)
  • Leading Practitioner (Estate and Personal Tax Planning), The Canadian Legal Lexpert ® (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025)
  • Lawyers Monthly Women in Law Award (Tax Litigation) (2021, 2022 and 2023)
  • STEP Canada – Winner of Best Article from 2021 STEP Inside (2022)
  • STEP Canada – Winner of Highest Rated Session from 2021 STEP Canada National Conference (2022)Best Newsletter Article Written by a Young Practitioner Award (Canadian Tax Foundation) (2018)
  • Provost’s College Award for Teaching Excellence for the College of Law (2018)
  • Finalist, Year 3 Project Award, Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, In-Depth Tax Course (2015)
  • Cam Partridge Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award (2010)
  • Law Society of Saskatchewan Silver Medal (2007)
  • Ron Fritz Prize in Law (2007)
  • Donald Alexander McNiven Prize (2007)
  • William Elliott Scholarship (2004)

Seminars, Presentations and Publications

  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, Antoine Aylwin, "Practitioners' Update: Canadian Trust and Estate Law" (STEP National Conference, June 2024)
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, Kirsten Jenkins, “Privacy Issues for Fiduciaries”, (STEP National Conference, June 2023).
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Estate Planning Across Jurisdictions” (STEP Saskatchewan Chapter, February 2023).
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Choose Your own Adventure – discussing the various remedies available for taxpayer issues” (ATAP, Tax Update Seminar, January 2023).
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette and Jos Herman, “The Estate Planning Toolkit – the importance of collaboration amongst advisors” (Small Practitioners’ Forum, October 2022).
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, Mehul Gandhi, and John Schappert, “Best Practices in Estate and Succession Planning” (CPA The One Conference, virtual, September 2022).
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette and Tracy L. Duff, “A Collaborative Planning Approach to Estate Planning.  How does it all work?” (Advocis Saskatchewan, April 2023).
  • Amanda S. A. Doucette, Dr. Carole Cohen, and Ann Soden, “A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Issues Faced by Vulnerable Clients” (STEP Canada National Conference, June 2022)
  • Amanda S. A. Doucette, Richard Niedermayer, and Rhonda Johnson, “Gift Wrapping: The Pros and Cons of Inter Vivos Gifts: (STEP Canada National Conference, June 2021)Regular Contributor, STEP Inside (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette and Lee Braaten, “A Primer on the Taxation of Shareholders and Directors”, Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2018.
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Make Voluntary Disclosures Before March 2018?”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 8, No. 1, February 2018.
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Voluntary Disclosure Program Cut Back”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 7, Number 3, August 2017
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette and Britney Wangler, “Normal Borrowing by CCPC Owners can Create an Income Inclusion”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 7, Number 1, February 2017
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “SCC Upholds Third-Party Civil Penalties”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 5, Number 3, August 2015
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “The Budget Proposal on Alternative Arguments: Too Broad?”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 5, Number 3, August 2015
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Filing a Notice of Objection Could Result in Increased Assessed Tax Payable”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 4, No. 4, November 2014
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette and Jayson Peace, “Best Practices for People who are Practising Tax”, Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2014
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Remission Order Advances Payment of BlackBerry Refund”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 4, No. 2, May 2014
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Rectification in Quebec”, Canadian Tax Highlights, Volume 22, No. 2, February 2014
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Conocophillips Canada: The Jurisdictional Obstacle Course”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 4, No. 1, February 2014
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Rectification: Judicial Shift”, Canadian Tax Highlights, Volume 21, No. 4, April 2013
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “”Advisor Penalties Revived by FCA”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 3, No. 3, August 2013
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Advisor Penalties Derailed by TCC”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 2, No. 4, November 2012
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Abolishing Perpetuities and Accumulations in Saskatchewan”, Estates, Trusts and Pensions Journal, Volume 31, No. 3, May 2012
  • Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Reliance on the Minister’s Reply in a Tax Court Appeal”, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 1, No. 3, November 2011
  • Beaty F. Beaubier, Michael J. Deobald, Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Some Do’s and Don’ts in Documenting Transactions and Fixing Mistakes”, Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2010
  • Beaty F. Beaubier and Amanda S.A. Doucette, “Resignation, Removal and Replacement of Executors and Trustees – A Saskatchewan Perspective”, Estates, Trusts & Pensions Journal, Volume 28 (2009)

Memberships and Associations

  • Director, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Canada)
  • Chair, Public Policy Committee, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
  • Past Chair, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Saskatchewan Chapter
  • YP Advisor, Canadian Tax Foundation Board of Governors (2016-2018)
  • Chair and Founder, Saskatoon YP Tax Group (2016-2018)
  • Past-President, Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan
  • Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
  • Member, Law Society of Saskatchewan
  • Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Canadian Association of Gift Planners
  • Member, Association of Tax and Accounting Professionals

Education

  • Osgoode Hall Law School (York University), Professional LLM (Tax Law) (2017)
  • Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, In-Depth Tax Course (Parts I, II and III)
  • 2012 Tax Law for Lawyers Conference
  • Admitted to the Saskatchewan Bar (2008)
  • Bachelor of Laws with Great Distinction, University of Saskatchewan (2007)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with Great Distinction, University of Saskatchewan (2004)

Resources

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