July 2020 Newsletter

28 Jul 2020 12:24 PM | FACL BC (Administrator)


FACL BC Newsletter 

July 2020 Edition

Upcoming Events


1) FACL BC - 2020 Annual General Meeting 

FACL BC’s Annual General Meeting (the “AGM”) will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2020 from 5:00 to 6:30pm via Zoom.

The AGM is open to current FACL BC members only. If you are not a current FACL BC member, you can join or renew your membership through our website. If you have any questions regarding your membership status, please contact us at inquiries@faclbc.ca.  Please join us! 

The agenda and previous meeting minutes for approval can be found here. The list of candidates and their nomination statements can be found here.

Register here by July 29 at 5pm: https://faclbc.ca/event-3900443


Event Updates 

1) Legal Developments in the COVID-19 Era: Federal Employment Benefits, Tenant and Landlord Rights, and Human Rights

On April 22, 2020, FACL BC hosted over 124 students and lawyers at our first online panel discussion event on developments arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic in the areas of Employment Insurance and other federal benefits, tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, and human rights law. The Legal Developments in the COVID-19 event featured Laura Track (Community Legal Assistance Society), Emma Lazo (Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre), and Jim Wu (Forte Law) as guest speakers.



2) Diversity on the Bench: A Webinar Discussion with the Honourable Attorney General David Eby

Last November at our annual FACL Gala, the Honourable Minister Eby stressed the importance of creating greater diversity on the bench and invited visible minority lawyers to apply for judicial and administrative positions. Acting upon this invitation, FACL BC hosted our Diversity on the Bench event on Monday, May 11, 2020, with the Honourable Attorney General David Eby to discuss the importance of increasing visible minorities on the provincial Bench and tribunals and the process of applying for those positions. The Minister was joined by Charley Beresford of the Crown Agencies & Board Resourcing Office. Over 100 students and lawyers joined FACL BC, the Honourable Attorney General David Eby, and Charley Beresford during this event.



3) How to Navigate Through Uncertainty in the Legal Profession

With the recent upheaval of our lives due to COVID-19, the impacts are being felt not only on a personal level but also on a professional level and within the legal profession. On May 14, 2020, FACL BC hosted 41 law students and lawyers at our online panel discussion event. The panelists shared their experience going through events of change and uncertainty in the past as well as how they were able to navigate through these events. Panelists included Enoch H. Chang (Fasken), Sena Byun (Telus), and David Namkung (Leaders International).



4) The Impact of COVID-19 on Law Students and Recent Graduates: What You Need To Know

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, and law students and recent graduates may face unique challenges during this uncertain time.  On May 19, 2020, FACL BC hosted 148 students and lawyers at our online webinar event.  The webinar addressed career concerns (including pass/fail grades, the impact of the pandemic on student jobs and recruitment, networking advice, and job search strategies), mental health, and what law schools in B.C. are doing to support students.  Panelists included Laura Pringle (Law Careers Officers, University of Victoria Faculty of Law), Laura Millman (Director of Professional Resources, McCarthy Tétrault LLP), and Anna Kline (Counsellor and Manager, Student Wellbeing, Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC).



5) 2020 FACL BC Extraordinary General Meeting and Post-EGM Social and Info Session

On June 12, 2020, FACL BC held our 2020 Extraordinary General Meeting and Post-EGM Social/Info Session.  Participants of the Post-EGM Social/Info Session had an eventful evening connecting with each other and the FACL BC Board to discuss the board nomination process and opportunities with FACL BC.



6) A Community Discussion: The Rise in Anti-Asian Discrimination in B.C.

Anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination have significantly increased across Canada. A recent Angus Reid Poll showed that a majority of Chinese Canadians surveyed had been targets of anti-Asian racism. In light of this, FACL BC hosted 92 participants in a community discussion webinar on the alarming rise in anti-Asian racism on June 30, 2020.

This webinar featured panelists including Kasari Govender (Human Rights Commissioner of B.C.), Bowinn Ma (NDP MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale), and Kevin Huang (Executive Director, Hua Foundation) to discuss how and why this disturbing trend is manifesting, and the actions the provincial government, independent bodies, and community stakeholders are taking to combat it.



7) Fridays with FACL

Throughout May and June FACL BC hosted numerous discussion sessions on Fridays to provide a forum to those in our community to discuss a variety of topics:

Session 1. Friday, May 1 - Xenophobia: Lessons from the past with Judge Maryka Omatsu (Ont Court of Justice; FACL — Founder)


Session 2. Friday, May 8 - Anxiety/Mental Health: Navigating through change and breaking the stigma with Winston Sayson Q.C. (Crown Counsel / Trial Prosecutor at BC Public Service)

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Session 3. Friday, May 22 - Economy/Business: What is on the horizon? The economic impact of COVID-19 with Yin Liang (Regional Sales Manager at BMO Wealth Management) and Daniel Lau (Managing Director at LM Asset Management)


Session 4. Friday, May 29 - Legal Tech: The future of our practice with Jeremy Hessing-Lewis (Founder of Small Law) and Matthew Peters (National Innovation Leader, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault)


Session 5. Friday, June 26 - Career: Career Planning + Advancement Amidst COVID-19 with Jayne Rossworn (Acting Director, Career Services at Peter A. Allard School of Law) and Mark Fenwick (VP, Corporate Services at Impact Recruitment)



Job and Volunteering Opportunities 

1) QMUNITY - Board Position


QMUNITY is a leading provincial resource centre offering community services and programs that celebrate, support and enhance the diverse cultures of queer communities. We offer our resources in a welcoming, accessible, and safe space that is relevant to the communities we serve. Our services and programs support healthy and active living, provide leadership, increase awareness, advocate where needed, and promote arts and culture.

Serving on the Board is an exciting, challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to BC’s queer communities. As a Director, you work with other Directors and the Executive Director to ensure QMUNITY continues to move forward on various major projects, develop strategies to raise operational and capital funds, and reach out into the queer community to secure continued support.

We are looking for someone who can bring a legal lens to our discussions and who would be willing to share their skills with the board. We have a diverse board already and are looking to continue to expand our representation of all peoples to the best of our ability.  QMUNITY is aiming to fill this position with a person who identifies as a racial minority in an effort to diversify the voices of its Board.

Anyone interested can contact Anthony Azar at aazar@tractionondemand.com. Anthony is a current Director of QMUNITY and the Director, Talent Acquisition at Traction on Demand.


2) Ascendancy Law Corporation - Articling Student or 1-2 year call lawyer


Ascendancy Law Corporation is looking for an articling student-at-law, or a 1-2 year call lawyer for our growing general solicitors’ practice.  Our area of practice spans corporate, commercial, real estate, wills and estate, and family law.  In litigation, our firm supports barristers with our expertise and experience in solicitor’s transactions across our area of practice.  We serve a broad spectrum of clientele from large corporations to individuals with very personal needs.  You will have a broad range of experience and learning opportunities at our firm. Please learn more about us at www.ascendancylawcorp.com.  If you are interested in applying for a position with us, please send us your cover letter and C.V. by email to office@ascendlaw.ca.


3) Lesperance Mendes Lawyers - Litigation Lawyer


LESPERANCE MENDES is a commercial litigation firm situated across from the Smithe Street Courthouse in downtown Vancouver.  Our practice areas include construction law, environmental law, strata law, employment law, intellectual property and commercial litigation.

We are looking for a two to five year call to join our growing practice.  The successful applicant will have initiative, creativity and strong analytical skills to join our ten lawyer team.  We offer competitive salary and benefits in an environment that emphasizes complex work, professional development and training.  All resumes are held in confidence.

Please contact: kmw@lmlaw.ca


Follow us on social media @faclbc

Sincerely,

FACL BC Membership Committee

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