January Spotlight #2: Angela Cao

Our second spotlight of this month is Angela Cao. Angela is a current FACL BC member and is the Principal Lawyer at Queenstone Law Corporation.

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

I first attended FACL events while I was a law student in Ontario.

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

My favourite initiative is the mentorship program. I enjoyed my experience as a mentee a few years ago. I have been a mentor for the past three years.

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

I was a contestant on one of the most popular reality dating shows in China.

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

Speak up for yourself and others. Also, be kind to yourself.

January Spotlight #1: Hasan Alam 

Hasan, our past President and current Advisory Director, is a staff representative and lawyer at the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU).  

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

I wasn’t planning on articling after finishing law school and was thinking about leaving the legal profession altogether. I submitted one articling application during my last semester of 3L because of the encouragement of a friend, got the position, and decided to give it a try.

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

I was having coffee with Dave Namkung back in 2017, a past President of FACL BC, and he encouraged me to put my name forward for a Director position on the board. I decided to run for a board position without ever having attended a FACL BC event or volunteering on a committee. I was elected and here I am five years later serving as the Advisory Director! Reflecting back, what drew me towards FACL BC was that I was seeking a sense of belonging within the legal community. I also wanted to help further the organization's mandate of promoting equity, justice and opportunity for the pan Asian community. 

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

It’s hard to choose one, but our panel discussion on the legal community’s role in addressing the climate crises stands out to me. This is because it was the first time that FACL BC engaged the issue of the climate crises, the panelists were excellent, and it ultimately motivated one of the attendees to put forward a resolution to the Law Society which in a nutshell encouraged lawyers in BC to engage with climate change and its effects. The fact that this event resulted in one of our members taking a concrete action drove home to me why the work that we do matters.

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

Practicing self-love and compassion is the greatest gift that you can give to not only yourself, but also to the people around you.

December Spotlight #2: Rasmeet Mohar

Rasmeet, a former FACL BC board member, is an Associate at Fasken. 

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

I love learning to cook new recipes. I recently taught myself to cook a full course Indian dinner for the first time!

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

I became involved in FACL as a 2L attending the Mentorship Roundtable and Mixer. That same year I was encouraged by many of the Board members to run for the Student Director position. I could not have foreseen that I would then go on to host that same mixer on three separate occasions as a Student Director and then as Chair of the Mentorship Committee. This is a reflection of FACL's ability to support and encourage its members.

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

As a former Board member I have enjoyed being a part of many initiatives. Though difficult to choose, I am partial to the documentary "But I Look a Lawyer". It was amazing to be a part of a project that conveyed such an important message to a wide audience. I am proud that the documentary has only begun to make waves in the legal field and I look forward to seeing its effects ripple throughout the community. 

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

Learn to enjoy every moment. Trust yourself and the process, especially your hard work.

December Spotlight #1: Adrian Wan

Adrian is a partner at Fasken and is a current FACL BC member. 

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

I used to coach high school basketball. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience teaching and learning from those kids.

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

I attended law school at Queen's University and was introduced to FACL Ontario as a law student. Upon returning to Vancouver to start my legal career I was glad to see the organization had also expanded to BC. Some of my colleagues at Fasken were early supporters of FACL BC and I was often invited to attend events. The FACL BC community was very welcoming, and I was able to meet a lot of great people and develop a strong network.

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

The annual gala. I also think the mentorship program is great. I am embarrassed to say I have not committed my time to this, but have it as a high priority for 2023.

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

Be unapologetically authentic. It simplifies life and you'll be happier. Eventually you'll be surrounded by the right people and in the right environment to succeed.

November Spotlight #2: Afifa Hashimi

Afifa, a former FACL BC board member, is an Associate Lawyer at Moore Edgar Lyster LLP. 

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

I love art. Recently, I’ve been trying to dedicate more time to painting and other creative hobbies I enjoy.

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

I found out about FACL BC in 2018 through an access to justice event I attended organized by the Advocacy Committee. As a law student, I was inspired by FACL BC's mission and the board members I met, so I joined the Advocacy and Mentorship committees as a volunteer. I joined the Board and served as a Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee while I was articling, and I served as VP External last term.

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

They're all great – it's impossible to choose one! My favourites include our documentary, “But I Look Like a Lawyer”, the “Intersections of Racial and Gender Justice” event earlier this year, and the Advocacy Committee’s political engagement work. I’m so grateful to have worked on FACL BC's initiatives with amazing colleagues and friends who are so dedicated to making our profession and our world a better place. They continue to inspire me, and I'm excited to see new initiatives as the organization continues to grow.

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

Stay true to your values and don’t be discouraged by those who think your goals are too ambitious or too idealistic. When your actions are aligned with your values, the right opportunities and people will always find you. Remember that there is strength in community. Positive change is only possible if people believe that it's possible and work together to make it happen. 

November Spotlight #1: Alex J. Chang

Alex, a former FACL BC Board member, is a lawyer at Lesperance Mendes Lawyers. 

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

I recently finished my first 50km ultra trail running race with a dislocated and broken pinky finger.

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

I first became involved as a volunteer on the Mentorship Committee before becoming its chair and a member of FACL's Board and Executive.

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

My favourite recent event was "What I Didn't Expect When I Was Expecting".

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

Don't be afraid to ask for guidance. It is natural to take pride in being independent or to worry that asking for help is a nuisance. However, if you take joy in helping others, it's safe to assume that others feel the same when the roles are reversed. You will do better and save yourself a lot of grief by seeking help from a peer or mentor.

Spotlight: Abigail Cheung

Abigail, a past FACL BC President, is an associate lawyer at Harris & Company LLP. 

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

Outside of work, I love cycling. I once biked from Vancouver to Seattle for a charity event!

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

I joined FACL BC in 2018 - slightly unconventionally - by running for the position of Secretary of the Board as soon as I had completed my articles! I enjoyed my first term so much that I decided to run again; I served terms as VP External in 2019-2020, President in 2020-2021 and Past President in 2021-2022.

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

There have been so many wonderful FACL BC events - it’s hard to single out just one! However, I particularly enjoyed attending a lecture by Henry Yu about 4 years ago. I remember him describing laws - which some lawyers and politicians had defended - with racist, white supremacist objectives, such as a law banning Chinese Canadians from swimming at a local Vancouver pool until challenged by a brave university student. His talk inspired me to think critically about how FACL BC could actively engage in law reform. It’s been so exciting to watch FACL BC’s advocacy committee grow and develop over the years!

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

Be courageous. Have the confidence to show up as your authentic self. The legal profession will benefit from what you bring to the table.

Spotlight: Shane Ching

Our first October spotlight is Shane Ching. Shane, a former FACL BC board member, is Senior Legal Counsel at S&P Global.

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

I was once a streamer on Twitch (and plan on making a comeback soon). "MambaShane" is my YouTube channel.

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

My dear friend and mentor, Mark Leung, had introduced me to various FACL events a few years ago.

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

The 2022 NCA / LLM Q&A.

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

Meditation is a game changer; keep practicing mindfulness. Anxiety can actually be a superpower when understood.

Spotlight: Timothy Law

Our spotlight for the month of September is Timothy Law. Timothy is an associate lawyer at Lawson Lundell LLP. 

1. What is something not many people know about you? 

I can play the acoustic guitar. 

2. How did you first get involved with FACL? 

I first got involved back in 2015 when I was a new lawyer wishing to seek out mentorship.  

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

Don't underestimate the ability to stick to a plan and not quit.

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

The mentorship program is my favourite FACL initiative. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to young lawyers and to pass on lessons I've learned myself along the way.

Spotlight: James Hsu

Happy Wednesday! This month’s second spotlight is James Hsu. James is a lawyer at PortaLaw, a former FACL BC board member, and a former co-chair of the Mentorship Committee. 

1. What is something not many people know about you? 

I don’t like fruit (not even in pies!).

2. How did you first get involved with FACL? 

Initially by attending the Annual Gala.  A friend then encouraged me to become more involved.  This led to me serving on the Board, Co-Chairing the Membership Committee and participating as a mentor in the mentorship program.

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

As lawyers, we are service providers.  Our role is to provide value for others, whether clients, senior lawyers within a firm, or the community at large.  This value is often “measured” in billable rates, salary, bonuses, awards, and recognition from clients, senior lawyers and our peers.

Do not confuse these measurements, or how effectively you provide value for others, with your self-worth.  That gives others the responsibility and power to determine your worth.  You get to define that. 

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

Those who know me will confirm I love to eat and I love to talk.  It’s no surprise then that the dim sum lunch and dumpling making class were two of my favourite events.  I am also a big fan of the FACL podcast.  I especially enjoyed the opportunity to guest host one of the early episodes (although I haven’t been asked back…).