Emily Varga | Top 40 Under 40 2025

by Kendall Bistretzan

Age: 39

Occupation: Partner and Co-Founder, VML Family Law; Author

if anything proves that Emily Varga can and will have it all, it’s that she wrote a book after having her first child, while working as a lawyer and navigating her father’s terminal illness.

“I was racing to the finish line while he was in treatment, and he unfortunately passed away. But his last words to me were, ‘Write your bestseller.’”

And she’s still excelling in her roles as a family lawyer and bestselling author.

While working at a boutique firm in Calgary, Varga and co-worker Holly McCord Lonseth bonded over their shared ethos of child-focused family law. In 2023, they co-founded VML Family Law, one of the few all-female law firms in the city.

“People are coming to you at the lowest moments of their life, and, a lot of the time, the best interests of the children can be forgotten,” Varga explains. “We are always considering positive impacts on the families while we help them carve a path forward.”

Her experience in law was what led to the idea behind her first traditionally published novel, For She is Wrath, a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo set in a fantasy world inspired by Pakistani history. Although her father had already passed when Varga started writing this particular novel, she initially started writing fantasy stories because he was a fan of the genre.

For She is Wrath became an international bestseller, was shortlisted for awards including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Peter’s Book Prize, and has helped raise the profile of the Calgary writing scene since its 2024 publication.

But, for Varga, the greatest victory is the impact on readers of seeing Pakistani characters in a fantasy novel.

“Growing up, books never featured people who look like me on the cover,” says Varga. “People need to see themselves in leadership positions and saving the world, because, when they feel empowered to enrich their communities and make positive changes, then everyone benefits.”

Thank yous
“My amazing family, including my mom, two wonderful kids and my incredibly supportive husband; my business partner, Holly McCord Lonseth, our team at VML Family law and my literary agent, Paige Terlip.”