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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.  

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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.

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 form. Attendees 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. 

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

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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.