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The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) is a diverse coalition of Asian Canadian legal professionals working to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community.

Founded in 2011, FACL BC is the largest equity-seeking bar association in British Columbia with over 850 members ranging from judges, partners, associates, in-house counsel, academics and law students and is affiliated with other FACL chapters across Canada and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in the United States, which represents over 80,000 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander lawyers.

In 2024, FACL BC became the second organization to receive the Canadian Bar Association Touchstone Award as a result of our contributions relating to race and gender, and for promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, and the legal community in all of Canada. That same year, FACL BC also received the NAPABA Affiliate of the Year Award, recognized out of 75 organizations for its best practices and accomplishments in the local community, becoming the first Canadian organization to receive this recognition.

FACL BC was also the winner of the 2022 Clawbies award for Best Podcast and the 2021 Clawbies award for Best Innovative Project for our ground-breaking documentary, “But I Look Like a Lawyer”, which captures stories of the discrimination, stereotyping and bias experienced by members of the Pan-Asian legal community. Our documentary was screened at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival in 2022 and continues to serve as an educational resource for Canadian and US law firms and law schools, including the BC Professional Legal Training Course.

Allies are welcome and can support our mission by joining as a Supporting Member. Supporting Members do not need to identify as pan-Asian or as a legal professional. Learn more here. 


Events

  • The Writing Café: Shared Pages, Soft Light

    • 22 Mar 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Cafe Marie (425 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1X4)
    • 7
    Register

    Join us for a gentle, reflective morning designed to create space for legal professionals to slow down, write, and connect on a more personal level. Through guided journaling and shared reflection, this session invites participants to explore identity, values, and lived experiences in a supportive, non-judgmental setting.

    No prior journaling experience is required. Participants are welcome to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable.

    Event Details:

    Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026

    Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

    Location: Cafe Marie, 425 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver

    We will gather in a cozy café setting. Please note that a minimum purchase of one drink is required to attend.

    What to Bring:

    A journal and any writing materials (pen, paper, or laptop).

    Moderators:

    Tiffany Ho – FACL BC Membership Vice-Chair, Owen Bird Law Corporation

    Amy Xu – FACL BC Membership Committee Volunteer

    This event has limited capacity. As a courtesy to others who may wish to attend, we kindly ask that you update your RSVP promptly if your plans change. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning‬ and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Repeated no-shows or unexplained absences from FACL BC events may affect future registrations.

    We look forward to welcoming members to this warm and reflective Writing Café.

    ___________________________________________________

    By attending this event, you agree to abide by the FACL BC Event Code of Conduct.

     If you have any questions about the Code of Conduct, please email info@faclbc.ca.
    Show details

  • Navigating Mental Health and Addiction in the Legal Profession

    • 24 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Thompson Rivers University - Old Main (OM 3732) & Zoom
    Register


    Advocating for your own mental health and well-being can be a challenge when you are navigating the demands and expectations of the legal profession. Join FACL BC’s panel speakers, who will share their lived experiences with mental health and addictions for an opportunity to learn tools that will help you navigate and advocate for yourself during the various stages of your legal career. Our diverse panel will share how they have developed effective strategies to balance their legal career with their life outside of work, and their recommendations to create healthy and sustainable habits in their work life.

    Panelists:

    Ruby Dhand, TRU Faculty of Law Professor

    Kim Carter, Kim Carter Law

    David Gore, Gillespie & Company LLP

    Jasmine Russett, Cherkowski Marsden LLP

    We thank Morelli Chertkow LLP for their kind support and generous sponsorship. Please note that this event will take place in Kamloops, BC.

    Final Note:

    While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any‬ changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both TRU Faculty of Law, our host, and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning‬ and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained‬ absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend‬ future complimentary events.

    ___________________________________________________

    By attending this event, you agree to abide by the FACL BC Event Code of Conduct.

    If you have any questions about the Code of Conduct, please email info@faclbc.ca.

    Show details

  • Planning Your Finances for Major Career Transitions

    • 7 Apr 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • The Vancouver Club - 915 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1C6
    • 0
    Registration is closed


    This session offers a lens through which to evaluate readiness, opportunity, and risk when planning finances for major career transitions. This includes, but is not limited to, becoming a partner at a law firm or owning, starting, or acquiring a law practice. These pivotal professional and financial decisions carry significant implications, and attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the strategic considerations involved in taking the next step.

    Panelists:

    • Brian Rudy, Synergy Law - Partner 
    • Amy Lowe, Synergy Law - Partner 
    • Sean Akeroyd, MNP - A member of MNP’s Private Enterprise Services team 
    • Kyle Greene, Scotiabank - Professional Baking Specialist
    • Char Sandher, Scotiabank - Healthcare & Professional Banking

    The event is complimentary and made possible through the generous support of Scotiabank.

    While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any‬ changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both‬‭ Scotiabank,‬‭ our host, and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning‬ and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained‬ absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend‬ future complimentary events.

    We anticipate this session will be eligible for CPD credits. ___________________________________________________

    By attending this event, you agree to abide by the FACL BC Event Code of Conduct.

     If you have any questions about the Code of Conduct, please email info@faclbc.ca.

    Show details

  • Asian Canadian Litigator Networking Mingle

    • 15 Apr 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Lawson Lundell LLP, Cathedral Place, 925 W Georgia St #1600, Vancouver, BC V6C 2L1
    • 0
    Join waitlist


    Join us for a gathering of Asian Canadian litigators to connect, share experiences, and build community.

    Asian Canadian litigators remain underrepresented within the litigation bar, and there can be limited opportunities for members of this community to connect across firms and stages of practice. 

    This gathering provides an opportunity to share experiences, discuss the challenges and successes faced by Asian Canadian litigators in the profession, and foster meaningful dialogue. It is also a welcoming space for junior and aspiring litigators to meet peers and more experienced practitioners, ask questions, and gain insight into navigating a career in litigation. Guests will be provided with refreshments while networking and  connecting with fellow professionals.

    This event is complimentary to FACL BC members and made possible through the generous support of Lawson Lundell LLP.

    Final note: 

    While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both the Membership Committee, our host, and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend future complimentary events.

    __________________________________________________

    By attending this event, you agree to abide by the FACL BC Event Code of Conduct.

    If you have any questions about the Code of Conduct, please email info@faclbc.ca.


    Show details


Statements


Our Podcast

    


Documentary



President's Message

It is with great honour and humility that I lead FACL BC as its President for 2025-2026.

FACL BC enters its 14th year stronger than ever. We launched the first issue of our journal, Silk Threads, highlighting voices and perspectives on EDI that are generally not prioritized in the legal profession. The annual gala, held annually in November, continues to be one of the Vancouver bar’s most anticipated events. Flagship events and initiatives such as the Mentorship program, Leadership Academy, and Hometown Eats continue to bring the community together. Two of our newest committees, the In-House Committee and NCA/LLM committee, are thriving, encouraging a truly diverse makeup for our membership. And last, but certainly not least, the Law Foundation of BC’s generous grant is allowing us to deepen our community outreach and legal advocacy. 

The key to FACL BC’s success has always been its members, including your openness and dedication to FACL BC and what it can do. Because of you, FACL BC is a diverse and welcoming community that is driven by its values. It is brimming with dynamism and new ideas to innovate and aid others in need. Indeed, your support paved the way for me, a first-generation and working-class Filipina immigrant and junior lawyer, to continue leading the charge. 

With your help, I know we can continue to make an impact, and leave the legal profession better than we experienced it.  Whether it's attending our events, sponsoring a new initiative, or volunteering for a committee, it all builds up to impactful change. Join me, and 750+ of your peers, in this fruitful journey. 

Like you, I believe in and I seek to advance FACL BC’s mandate. While the mandate seems more ambitious than ever nowadays, I hope that you are up for the challenge. Together, we are unstoppable. 

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President. I look forward to working with you! 

Jennine Punzalan
President
Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC
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The FACL BC registered office is situated on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ə (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We acknowledge the significance of the land for the Indigenous peoples who have lived here and acted as stewards since time immemorial, as well as the historical and ongoing injustices they still face. We are committed to working towards decolonial solidarity and the full realization of Indigenous rights.   Read our full land acknowledgement here.

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