• 28 Sep 2023
    • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Bennett Jones
    Register


    Every law student will have to network at some point, but we are never taught how to do it.

    This year, APLC is hosting an exciting event in collaboration with FACL BC to teach students how to network! We will begin the event with a presentation on networking skills in the modern world given by Steven Ngo, Advisory Director of FACL BC.

    Afterwards, we will have a “practice networking” session during which you can put what you’ve learned to practice with current lawyers. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable networking skills and connect with practicing lawyers in an informal setting!

    Please register by Monday, September 25, 2023, 11:59PM PST to secure your spot as the event will also be first come, first served.

    Attendees: APLC and FACL BC members

    Dress Code: Business/Smart Casual

    About our Speaker: Steven Ngo is the Advisory Director and Past President of FACL BC and the co-founder of Beyond the A. He was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine in 2022 and an Alumni Changemaker by the Allard School of Law in 2023. He currently works as Sr. Counsel at Rivian and previously worked as a corporate M&A associate at Osler and Allens Linklaters. Connect with Steven on LinkedIn. 

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    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.

    • 4 Oct 2023
    • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Zoom


    Register Here

    From the Law Society of British Columbia ("LSBC") website: The Benchers are the Law Society’s volunteer board of governors. They govern and administer the affairs of the Law Society in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, set and enforce standards of professional responsibility for lawyers, and preside at discipline and credentials hearings.

    An election will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 for Benchers of the LSBC in all districts for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2025. FACL BC strongly encourages qualified candidates amongst its membership to stand for election. Nominations of candidates for election must be received by the Law Society of British Columbia before 5:00 pm on Monday, October 16, 2023.

    To that end, we are pleased to invite FACL BC supporters and all current Benchers of Asian descent, Cheryl D'Sa, Gaynor Yeung, Gurminder Sandhu, Jeevyn Dhaliwal, KC, and Jennifer Chow, KC, for an intimate discussion regarding life as a Bencher. For the first time, this event will focus exclusively on how prospective Bencher candidates can prepare for and succeed in the position, and provide attendees with an opportunity to ask the Benchers questions about their day-to-day duties.

    All individuals who are interested in standing for future Bencher elections should attend. Please visit the LSBC website for more information regarding the election here.

    Meet the Speakers

    Cheryl D'Sa is the managing partner of Narwal Litigation LLP. Cheryl has been an elected Bencher of the LSBC since 2020 and was the first visible minority female President of the VBA. In recent years, Cheryl has received several awards, including the CBABC Women Lawyers Forum Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award, an Excellence Award in the Category of Female Trailblazer of the Year by Canadian Lawyer Magazine’s Canadian Law Awards and Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40.

    Gaynor Yeung is a mediator and litigator from Whitelaw Twining.  She was first elected as a Bencher in 2021 and currently serves on the EDI and Practice Standards committees.

    Gurminder Sandhu is a litigation partner at Hamilton Duncan. Gurminder has dedicated his time to various volunteer commitments, including the CBA Provincial Council, the Provincial Court Judicial Advisory Committee, and the Amici Curiae Friendship Society. Gurminder was elected as a Bencher in 2021 and served on the BC Federal Judicial Advisory Committee from 2021-2023.

    Jeevyn Dhaliwal, KC is the incoming President of the LSBC for 2024 and will have served the Law Society for more than a decade when she concludes her term as President. She credits her longstanding involvement with FACL and her roles as past Board member and President of SABABC for the support she received in becoming the first South Asian lawyer to have been elected in Vancouver County for the term beginning 2014. 

    Jennifer Chow, KC has been an elected bencher for Vancouver for the past 6 years. She is an outspoken leader on equality and diversity issues and continues to promote access to justice and the independence of the bar at the bencher table.

    ___________________________________________________

    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.

    • 18 Oct 2023
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Suite 1500 Royal Centre, 1055 W Georgia Street
    Register

    Register Here (Zoom option)

    Please join FACL BC's Advocacy Committee for the second panel in its Worker Speaker Series, focusing on workers in different industries. This panel's topic will be on migrant workers and promises to provide an engaging discussion on the regulatory gaps and ensuing challenges faced by migrant workers in BC. 

    Migrant workers often face unique legal challenges at the nexus of employment and immigration law. Existing in a legal liminal space, migrant workers also frequently experience added systemic and institutionalized barriers in the form of discrimination and lack of access to justice. Join us to hear from a panel of legal practitioners, academics, and activists on the front lines to hear what can be done to better protect and support migrant workers. 

    Moderator: Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha, Lehal Law Legal Services

    Location: McMillan LLP, Suite 1500 Royal Centre, 1055 W Georgia Street and via Zoom. 

    This event will qualify for 1 hour of CPD credit.

    ___________________________________________________

    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.

    • 26 Oct 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom


    Register Here

    The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) British Columbia is excited to host a virtual Fireside Chat with the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Together, we will delve into the crucial topic of equality, diversity, and inclusion on the benches of the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

    During this discussion, Minister Virani will detail the superior court judicial appointment process and shed light on the barriers and issues potentially hindering greater representation among BC's judges. Together, we hope to explore potential solutions to address this pressing matter. The underrepresentation of Asian and other communities within the judiciary is an important concern that warrants attention, and this event aims to foster a meaningful dialogue surrounding the initiatives and ideas being discussed within the Ministry of Justice to promote diversity on the bench.

    By engaging in an open and constructive dialogue, we hope to uncover innovative ideas and practical solutions to help build a more diverse and inclusive judiciary that reflects the rich tapestry of British Columbia's population. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to gain valuable insights and join the conversation surrounding equality, diversity, and inclusion on the benches of the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

    This course is approved for 1.0 hour of CPD credits in British Columbia. ___________________________________________________

    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.

    • 17 Nov 2023
    • 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    • TD Tower, 700 W Georgia St, Vancouver BC
    Register


    You are cordially invited to the FACL BC Complimentary Annual Conference. We are proud to announce that this year’s conference will be held in-person (with virtual streaming available).

    Join us in exploring the theme of “Champions”, whether it is championing causes within the community, breaking barriers, or empowering oneself in our personal and professional lives.  

    We are excited to welcome the Honourable Judge Gurmail Gill of the British Columbia Provincial Court for a moderated discussion on his journey to the Bench. Termed the “Renaissance Man”, Judge Gill was the first judge of South Asian descent appointed to the British Columbia Provincial Court. Judge Gill is also a 5th degree Black Belt in Karate-Do, a martial art instructor, a licensed pilot, and an avid astronomer and astro-photographer.  

    This discussion will be moderated by FACL BC President, Fiona Wong.  

    Following the chat with Judge Gill, tune in to our very own Advocacy and Mentorship Committees on their programming in discovering the spirit of championship, from learning advocacy skills and affecting social change, to gaining valuable insights on personal and professional victories. Attendees are welcome to select their program of choice (see description below).    

    Conference attendees are eligible to earn CPD and ethics* credits with the Law Society of British Columbia. More info coming soon.  

    ___________________________________________________

    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.

    • 17 Nov 2023
    • 5:30 PM
    • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
    Register

    FACL BC is thrilled to be hosting our 12th Annual Gala on Friday, November 17, 2023 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver starting at 5:30 pm. Join us for an evening of community, celebration, and empowerment at our most anticipated event of the year! 

    Last year’s 11th Annual Gala brought together a record-breaking 475 attendees (our largest FACL BC event ever) for an evening of Belonging

    This year, our theme is Champions: Within, Among & Beyond”. Our theme is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of FACL BC members, as well as to encourage our attendees to be champions for themselves (within), their networks (among), and our community (beyond).

    Due to overwhelming demand, we have secured a larger venue, but anticipate tickets selling fast! Sponsorships and tickets will be available on the following schedule: 

    • August 23, 2023: Sponsorships available for purchase 
    • September 12, 2023: Single Tickets pre-sale exclusively for FACL BC Members (Members will receive an email on the day of with instructions for purchasing tickets). 
    • September 14, 2023: Single Tickets on sale to the general public
    • October 4, 2023: Student Tickets available for purchase

    Please inquire with your firm, organization, or law school prior to purchasing a single or student ticket above. Oftentimes we find that your employer or school is already supporting the FACL BC Gala so you may be able to secure a seat with them, as opposed to purchasing an individual ticket.

    Tickets will be sold in the following tiers: 

    • Single Tickets (Non-Refundable)

      • Single tickets can be purchased together in groups. 

      • Single ticket holders will be assigned seating at a table of 10 closer to the date of the Gala. We will do our best to honour requests to be seated together, but are unable to guarantee these requests. If you would like to request to be seated with other attendees, please complete this formAttendees who wish to be seated together on a guaranteed basis should request a Table Sponsorship from our sponsorship package, a copy of which can be found at faclbc.ca/gala.  

    • Student Tickets (Non-Refundable)

      • Eligible individuals for student tickets are students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school, articling students, judicial law clerks, and NCA candidates. 

      • A limited number of tickets will be available. 

    For full details of the event, please visit faclbc.ca/gala

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    Bursaries

    FACL BC, as an equity-seeking organization, realizes that there can be financial barriers to our members attending the 12th Annual Gala. In order to help reduce this barrier, FACL BC is pleased to present two bursaries, for the first time, designed to make attending the 12th Annual Gala more accessible for law students and lawyers practicing outside of large firms. 

    The bursaries will be provided to recipients following the 12th Annual Gala and FACL BC reserves the right to exercise sole discretion over the eligibility, recipients, and amount of bursaries awarded.

    Solo/Small Firm/Non-profit Lawyer Bursary 

    FACL BC is pleased to offer a bursary of $80 CAD towards a single ticket to the 12th Annual Gala to lawyers who practice as a solo practitioner, in a small firm setting (defined as 10 or less lawyers), or for a non-profit organization (full details of qualification can be found in the application form linked below). There are limited bursaries available. 

    A recipient is not required to purchase a single ticket prior to applying for the bursary, but must purchase a single ticket within 7 days of being notified that they have been selected for the bursary. 

    Interested applicants must fill out the application form by 6:00 PM on Monday, September 18th. Recipients of the bursary will be informed starting on Wednesday, September 20th. After that time, applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

    Student Travel Bursary

    FACL BC is pleased to offer a bursary of up to $100 CAD to current law students from the University of Victoria and Thompson Rivers University to help offset incurred travel expenses to Vancouver for the purpose of attending the 12th Annual Gala. There are limited bursaries available. 

    Interested applications must fill out the application form by 6:00 PM on Friday, September 29th. Recipients of the bursary will be informed starting on Tuesday, October 3rd. After that time, applications will be considered on a rolling basis.Further details of the bursary and qualified applicants can be found in the application form.

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    Sponsorship

    FACL BC is grateful for the generous support of the following sponsors: 


    Title Sponsor


    Gold Sponsors


    Silver Sponsors



    Bronze Medal (Table) Sponsors

     
      
      






       
      
     
     

     

       


     
       
       
       
       


    Amenities Sponsors

     
     
       


    Conference Sponsors

     
        

    ___________________________________________________

    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.

Past Events

21 Sep 2023 FACL BC 5th Annual Women’s Social
13 Sep 2023 OCI Office Hours
10 Sep 2023 Write On: September Edition
27 Aug 2023 Dim Sum Town Hall
24 Aug 2023 100 Years of Resilience: The Paper Trail to the Chinese Exclusion Act
20 Aug 2023 Write On: August Edition
25 Jul 2023 [Postponed] Fireside Chat with Minister Lametti: Diversity on the Bench
17 Jul 2023 Post-AGM Social
17 Jul 2023 Annual General Meeting
9 Jul 2023 Write On: July Edition
23 Jun 2023 Fireside Chat with Chief Judge Gillespie: Insights on Becoming a Judge
21 Jun 2023 Parenting As A Legal Professional: The School-Aged Years
18 Jun 2023 Write On: June Edition
17 Jun 2023 President’s Picnic and Board Info Session
6 Jun 2023 FACL BC Benefit Banquet
25 May 2023 NCA/LLM Q&A
17 May 2023 “Don’t Come for My Gig” – FACL BC Workers Speaker Series
11 May 2023 Resiliency in a Tough Economy: What to Do When You're Not Hired Back or Let Go
7 May 2023 Write On: May Edition
28 Apr 2023 Business Development Seminar Part 2: Clients
28 Apr 2023 But I Look Like a Lawyer - Documentary Screening & Mixer
27 Apr 2023 The Legal Community's Role in Addressing the Climate Crisis
26 Apr 2023 FACL BC Hometown Eats x Chinese Food
15 Apr 2023 Write On: April Edition
12 Apr 2023 CMLA BC x FACL BC Iftar Dinner
1 Apr 2023 FACL BC Snowshoe Stroll 2.0
29 Mar 2023 Behind the Curtain: Working In-House
24 Mar 2023 Navigating Mental Health and Addictions in the Legal Profession
16 Mar 2023 FACL BC 2023 Mentorship Roundtable Mixer
12 Mar 2023 Write On: March Edition
10 Mar 2023 FACL BC Karaoke After Party
10 Mar 2023 FACL BC Espresso Chats 2.0: Night Owl Edition
8 Mar 2023 Business Development Seminar: In Celebration of International Women's Day
24 Feb 2023 TGIF: Thank Goodness It's (Boba) Friday
16 Feb 2023 FACL BC Hometown Eats x Vietnamese Food
12 Feb 2023 FACL BC x Gram Cafe & Pancakes Membership Dessert Social Night
12 Feb 2023 Write On: February Edition
3 Feb 2023 FACL BC x APLC: Lunar New Year Food Fest
2 Feb 2023 FACL BC x APLC: New Year, New Headshots
29 Jan 2023 FACL BC Winter Skate and Hot Drinks Mingle
21 Jan 2023 Lunar New Year Lunch in Kamloops
20 Jan 2023 Build Together Our Belonging
12 Jan 2023 FACL BC Hometown Eats x Palestinian Food
2 Jan 2023 Starting Off the Year Write
11 Dec 2022 Write On: December Edition
21 Nov 2022 Judicial Clerkships Panel: Overcoming Barriers in Representation at the Courts
18 Nov 2022 FACL BC 11th Annual After-Gala Soiree
18 Nov 2022 FACL BC 11th Annual Gala
18 Nov 2022 FACL BC 11th Annual Conference
13 Nov 2022 Write On: November Edition
5 Nov 2022 “But I Look Like a Lawyer” Vancouver Asian Film Festival Pre-Screening Social
22 Oct 2022 FACL BC Hometown Eats x Taiwanese Food
16 Oct 2022 Write On: October Edition
22 Sep 2022 Social Skills and Networking in the Modern World
17 Sep 2022 Write On: September Edition
13 Sep 2022 Navigating the Recruitment Process as an Asian-Canadian Law Student: Mock Interviews 2022
10 Sep 2022 Mentor/Mentee Dim Sum Lunch
13 Aug 2022 Write On: August Edition
24 Jul 2022 Write On: July Edition
16 Jul 2022 Picnic in the Park
14 Jul 2022 2022 FACL BC Annual General Meeting
13 Jul 2022 Intersections of Racial and Gender Justice: What Lawyers Need to Know
22 Jun 2022 Women's Social
18 Jun 2022 Write On: June Edition
15 Jun 2022 What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting (Sponsored by Cassels)
2 Jun 2022 Current and Prospective FACL BC Board FAQ Mixer
28 May 2022 Espresso Chats
26 May 2022 NCA / LLM Q&A
15 May 2022 Write On: May Edition
28 Apr 2022 The Legal Community's Role in Addressing the Climate Crisis
22 Apr 2022 The Comeback Social
10 Apr 2022 Write On - April Edition
8 Apr 2022 Resumes for the Victoria Market: Cover Letter and Resume Feedback Program for the Legal Community in Victoria, BC
8 Apr 2022 Practicing in the US
25 Mar 2022 Navigating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Mental Health and Well-Being in the Legal Profession
20 Mar 2022 Snowshoe Stroll
13 Mar 2022 Write On - March Edition
9 Mar 2022 FACL BC Mentorship Social
23 Feb 2022 FACL BC: 5th Annual Mentorship Roundtable and Mixer
13 Feb 2022 Write On: February Edition
6 Feb 2022 FACL-inary Arts: Cooking for the Year of the Tiger
28 Jan 2022 Social Justice Legal Careers Panel
11 Jan 2022 BC Anti-Racism Legislation Community Engagement
2 Jan 2022 Starting Off the Year Write
26 Nov 2021 Post-Gala/Conference Reception: Celebrating “The Next 10 Years”
26 Nov 2021 FACL BC Gala/Conference 2021: "The Next 10 Years"
5 Nov 2021 FACL BC presents “But I Look Like a Lawyer” Documentary
16 Sep 2021 FACL BC & FACL Ontario Present: The Women Empowerment Series
14 Sep 2021 Navigating the Recruit Process as an Asian-Canadian Law Student: Putting Your Best Foot Forward
26 Aug 2021 Ascend Vancouver & FACL BC - A Magical Summer Social
29 Jul 2021 2021 FACL BC Annual General Meeting
24 Jun 2021 Post-Pandemic Modernization of Law Firm Technology
10 Jun 2021 FACL BC's Annual Women's Social
28 May 2021 LGBTQIA+ Asian Lawyers Panel
27 May 2021 Dumpling Talks
5 May 2021 Anxiety and Mental Health in the Legal Profession
25 Mar 2021 FACL BC Mentorship Roundtable and Mixer
24 Mar 2021 Navigating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: The Power to Create Boundaries
20 Mar 2021 Free Your Natural Voice: An interactive voice workshop co-hosted by FACL Ontario and FACL BC
17 Mar 2021 FACL BC Mentorship Social
11 Mar 2021 Supportive Relationships Dialogue Series: Part 2
5 Mar 2021 Fridays with FACL BC
2 Mar 2021 General Counsel: Fireside Chat with Ron Lo, Symend
22 Feb 2021 Landscapes of Injustice: Re Persons of Japanese Race
26 Jan 2021 Navigating the Recruitment Process as an Asian-Canadian Law Student Part 2: Mock Interviews
20 Jan 2021 Can You Hear Me Now? Embracing "Virtual Law"
8 Jan 2021 The Socially Distanced Network: Building Relationships in the COVID Era
1 Dec 2020 Meng Wanzhou: A Discussion with Philip Calvert
27 Nov 2020 FACL BC 9th Annual Gala/Conference - Enacting Change: Your Seat at the Table
12 Nov 2020 Trauma-Informed Lawyering with Myrna McCallum: Working with Asian Communities
28 Oct 2020 BIPOC Women in Law: Navigating Race, Gender and Equity in the Legal Profession
22 Oct 2020 Navigating the Recruitment Process as an Asian-Canadian Law Student - Part 1: Racism and Mental Health
6 Oct 2020 BC Elections Panel 2020
30 Sep 2020 Behind the Curtain: Working In-House
30 Jul 2020 2020 FACL BC Annual General Meeting
24 Nov 2019 Weekend Dim Sum Social
8 Nov 2019 FACL BC 8th Annual Gala
21 Nov 2018 FACL BC 7th Annual Gala
2 Nov 2017 FACL BC 6th Annual Gala
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