October 2025 Spotlight: Evelyn Tsao

What's your name?

Evelyn Tsao

Current place of work/title?

Moore Edgar Lyster LLP, Associate

How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I joined FACL's Hometown Eats within a month of arriving in Vancouver from Hong Kong and I still remember the instant sense of belonging and camaraderie I felt being among half a restaurant of Asian lawyers (a lot of who, like me, are new to the city). One or two events later, I reached out to Fiona Wong about volunteer opportunities and became part of the Advocacy Committee.

What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

The "Leading with Pride: 2SLGBTQIA+ Mixer" last July. We had Justice Scott Morishita at the fireside chat with David How and then a mixer at Hammerco's rooftop patio. Being a lesbian myself, I always enjoy meeting and connecting with folks in the queer community, but the event was especially meaningful because the recognition that we are altogether as allies in a hetero-dominant profession is empowering. I think we should do another one of these again!

What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

I would tell myself not to overthink and to trust in the process, because I find a lot of the best things in my life so far happened without plan or reason. The other thing is, I suffer from imposter syndrome sometimes, so I'd say give yourself more credit but don't take yourself too seriously. It's an art to balance knowing your worth while at the same time acknowledging you are but a transient speck among a vast multitude.

What is something that not many people know about you?

I have a twin sister who's the yin to my yang. I used to play pranks on her boyfriends, pretending to be her on the phone getting upset at them - they always fall for it. Anecdotal evidence: girls have greater acuity - she never managed to trick any one of my past girlfriends!

September 2025 Spotlight: Christopher Gallardo-Ganaban

What is your name? 

Christopher Gallardo-Ganaban

Current place of work/title?

Legal Counsel (In-House) for a Real Estate Developer

How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I attended my first event in 2016 - the FACL BC Annual Gala. I was in 1L at the time, and have since attended many events put on by the organization. Most recently, I am participating in the 2025 Leadership Academy, and continue to be amazed by the countless opportunities to connect and to develop both personally and professionally through FACL BC.

What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

The FACL Mentorship Program by far - I met my current mentor when I was still in 1L. Almost ten years later, we still meet up a few times a year, and he has been there for me throughout the various transitions in my career, like choosing electives in law school, surviving the articling search, and figuring out the "next right thing" in my journey as a legal professional.

(Shoutout and gratitude to James Hsu, for consistently being there for me as a great mentor/friend, and for FACL BC for bringing us together)

What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

I would remind myself to set aside time to reflect and to practice gratitude for the accomplishments that have brought me to where I am today. 

I have always been ambitious, looking to the next checkpoint or milestone, and would often forget to reflect on the past.

Ambition keeps me moving forward, but reflection and gratitude keeps me grounded. I truly believe that my progress today is built on yesterday's actions; and, if I spend time to acknowledge my past accomplishments, only then can I appreciate these little victories (or big ones) of the past, where I am today and where I am heading in the future.

What is something that not many people know about you?

I love pumpkin spice lattes. At the time of publication, it is currently PSL season. To all of the other PSL lovers out there, feel free to message me on LinkedIn and we can connect over lattes.

August Spotlight: Michelle Wong

1. What's your name?

Michelle Wong

2. Current place of work/title?

Associate at McMillan LLP

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I first got involved with FACL BC in 2L when I was elected as Student Director for the University of Victoria. I served on the Mentorship Committee, helping to coordinate mentorship pairings, and supported the Gala Committee with communications and outreach.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

The Annual Gala! As a 1L and a first-generation lawyer, it was surreal seeing so many Asian lawyers gathered in one place. Serving on the Gala Committee in 2L gave me a deeper appreciation for the incredible effort that goes into making the event so special. I’ve enjoyed returning each year to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. It's been truly impressive to see the gala grow from roughly 300 attendees during my year to over 700 today.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

Don’t lose sight of how far you’ve come because growth isn’t simply about moving from Point A to Point B. It’s also about the lessons, setbacks, and quiet wins that build your resilience and shape who you are. Through it all, make time for your health and happiness, as well as the people who supported you along the way. The work will always be there, but your wellbeing and relationships matter too.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

I love food and travel so much that I once looked into what it takes to become a Michelin inspector and what that lifestyle is really like. In the meantime, I’ve been a Yelp Elite for 8 years and have solo traveled to 6 countries (and counting!).

July Spotlight: Amy Xu

1. What's your name?

Amy Xu

2. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I first got involved with FACL BC in 2020 when I was a 1L student. I attended the FACL BC Mentorship Roundtable and Mixer event, which sparked my interest in becoming more engaged with the legal community.

3. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

My favourite FACL event has been the Write On journaling sessions. During the session each participant writes about one of the three journal prompts for 30 minutes, after which we share our writing with each other in small groups. Sometimes people open up and share deeply personal stories and reflections. I found the experience both meaningful and a wonderful opportunity to connect with others on a more personal level.

4. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

Trust your own timing. Just because others may reach certain milestones earlier or later does not mean you are behind or ahead—you are simply on your own path. Stay focused, be patient, and remember that things will happen when they are meant to. You are exactly where you need to be.

5. What is something that not many people know about you?

I majored in mathematics during my undergraduate studies and worked as a software engineer before going to law school.

June Spotlight: Catherine Wong

1. What is your name?

Catherine Wong

2. Current place of work/title?

Associate at Guild Yule LLP

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I first became involved with FACL in my first year of law school, building my first legal network through FACL BC Zoom events as I began my law school journey online during the pandemic. I have since my third year of law school served on the board, starting as a student director in 2022.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

My favorite FACL initiative is the Hometown Eats series because I love trying new restaurants, and the casual, food-focused setting makes it easier to connect with others. Each event has been a great way to network in a relaxed environment while enjoying something I already love to do in my free time - eating.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

If I could go back in time and offer advice to my law school self, it would be: there is no need to model oneself after any particular individual to become a successful lawyer. Through working with numerous lawyers, I have come to understand that it is both acceptable and beneficial to take the time to develop a personal professional style. Whether practicing as a litigator or a solicitor, you can achieve success by embracing and cultivating your unique strengths.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

As much as I enjoy eating, I also love to bake and cook. I could happily spend hours creating a dish I have envisioned, right down to how it will be plated. During the pandemic and before law school, I started a food Instagram account to document my creations.

May Spotlight: Daniel Lee

1. What is your name? 

Daniel Lee

2. Current place of work/title?

Partner at Fasken

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

My initial involvement with FACL BC was limited to attending the annual gala. I subsequently became more involved with FACL BC by attending more events because the event topics were relevant for me. Throughout the past 10 years I have had opportunities to speak at a number of FACL BC events on different topics, including the practice of immigration law and career development. In 2023, I completed the FACL BC Leadership Academy, which provided me with a platform to learn from other members and guest speakers in a non-judgmental setting, offering tools to break through the glass ceiling and reach my career, professional, and personal goals.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

My favourite FACL BC initiative is the Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is the first of its kind for Asian Canadian lawyers and it was created in 2023 to develop the next generation of leaders in the Asian Canadian legal community. This program has been designed to equip future leaders in British Columbia with key tools and strategies for leadership growth, while allowing the participants to for authentic connections with other lawyers.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

The practice of law is a marathon. Do not rush to get to the finish line because what is more valuable is the journey and the personal relationships that you will develop during this journey. Instead, take the necessary breaks to slow down (when required) and never jeopardize in spending quality time with family and taking care of your own health. In addition, enjoy what you do and never do it just for the money. If you only chase after the money, then you will never truly be happy.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

My wife, Tianyi Song, and I created an award at the UBC Law School for JD law students entering their second year of law school with an interest in immigration law who are the first in their family to attend law school. This award was created in honour of my parents and to recognize their silent support that they provided to my educational journey, enabling me to become the first in the family to earn a Juris Doctor degree.

April Spotlight: Karen Kit-ling Claus

1. What is your name? 

Karen Kit-ling Claus

2. Current place of work/title?

Karen Claus Law Corporation dba "Karen Claus Law", Founder and Lawyer

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

While I was working as in-house counsel to a Vancouver startup in 2024, I attended a social for in-house lawyers, organized by the FACL In-House Committee. The founders of the FACL IHC invited me to serve as Vice-Chair after learning about my desire to mentor and elevate the next generation of lawyers.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

The Trailblazer series, featuring Catherine Chow, who is the CLO of the Vancouver Canucks. This event was organized by the FACL IHC. It was particularly meaningful because Catherine highlighted the need for a legal profession that reflects the diversity of our country and the fact that each of us have a responsibility and the power to be a part of that shift.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

Be the best colleague and employee you can be at all stages of your career, because the people you've been good to will be the very ones helping you to succeed.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

Before law school, I was close to applying to a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. I've always considered myself to be more right-brained and had perceived it to be a weakness. Now I realize that it is a unique strength for running my practice!

March Spotlight: Fiona Wong

1. What is your name? 

Fiona Wong

2. Current place of work/title?

Overholt Law LLP, Employment Lawyer

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I joined the Board as a Student Director for University of Victoria in 2019, and since then I have had the pleasure of serving as FACL BC President in 2023-2024.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

FACL BC puts on over 60 events a year, so this is really tough to answer, but I would narrow it down to 3 events in the past year.

1) Partner's Reception (January 2024) where FACL BC invited over 80 partners of Asian descent from law firms of various sizes to join an intimate reception, celebrating Asian representation at leadership levels. Some came as far as Squamish and Abbotsford despite a snowstorm that week. For many it felt like a law school reunion as they had not seen each other in years. I was inspired to see so many leaders in the room and am grateful for their ongoing support of FACL BC.

2) Membership Retreat (June 2024) where FACL BC brought 30 members to Whistler, BC for a summer weekend filled with honest conversations and insightful panels. I'm thrilled that FACL BC was able to invite Chief Justice Leonard Marchand to speak to FACL BC members over an intimate wine cellar dinner, as well as Justice David Masuhara, Judge Glenn Lee, and Judge Grace Oh, among other fantastic speakers.

3) Annual Gala and Conference (Every November) where FACL BC hosts one of the largest legal events in BC, with over 780 lawyers, law students, and allies from over 50 law firms and organizations at the Fairmont Hotel. I am always amazed by the incredible work that the Gala Chair and Gala Committee do to execute this event, and their ability to bring in excellent keynote speakers who align with FACL BC's thoughtful themes each year.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

Don't be afraid to pivot to reach your goals, and persistence is key. Transfer law schools or switch practice areas if that’s what you need to get to where you want to be. Keep applying to firms and organizations you want to work at even if you are rejected the first time around - sometimes it takes multiple tries but it shows grit and passion for long-term goals.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

I used to be a flight attendant before law school, and it took me more than once to be elected to the FACL BC Board. Don’t give up and embrace new opportunities!

February Spotlight: Dimple Kainth

1. What is your name? 

Dimple Kainth

2. Current place of work/title?

Satya Law, CEO and Lawyer, Sayva Consulting, CEO

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I am fortunate to know a number of FACL BC members, and was asked to speak at a conference about EDI and EDI issues.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

Mentorship is extremely important to me, so my favourite FACL initiative is FACL's mentorship program. My favourite FACL event is the Annual Gala.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

In terms of my professional life: to trust my ability and instincts, that no one will advocate better for me than myself, and to get out of a bad/toxic working environment as soon as possible.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

I know way too much when it comes to the topic of Star Wars!

January Spotlight: Connie Do

1. What is your name? 

Connie Do

2. Current place of work/title?

Associate at Guild Yule LLP

3. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I first joined in 2018 in my first year of law school. It's kind of a blur but I *think* I signed up on Clubs Day.

4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

I've always enjoyed the Annual Gala. They have been great for catching up with friends and colleagues I wouldn't see otherwise. The energy and excitement is infectious. I graduated during the pandemic so it was really exciting to attend the Gala in person again in 2022 and see people I hadn't seen in years. Shout out to the organizers!

5. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

Be kind to yourself and trust the process. Roll with the punches and let every mistake or disappointment be a valuable learning opportunity.

6. What is something that not many people know about you?

I can't ride a bike, swim or skate. I probably won't last long in a zombie apocalypse.