July Spotlight: Raji Mangat

What is your name? 

Raji Mangat

Current place of work/title?

Executive Director, West Coast LEAF

How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

I attended one of FACL BC's social events with a friend, and was immediately struck by how welcoming everyone was and how much I felt at "home" at the event, despite knowing only a handful of the people there. From there, my involvement has grown and I'm now serving as a member of the FACL BC Advisory.

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

FACL BC's galas are epic, for sure. I think my favourite event so far is the last one I attended - the inaugural retreat held in Whistler. It was an incredibly intimate and welcoming space in which we could share our concerns and challenges. I learned a lot and had a few of those "where have you been all my life" moments with other attendees and speakers.

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

I would advise myself to worry less, sleep more and trust my gut. And also that you will find your people.

What is something that not many people know about you?

I officiated my friend's wedding in Portland, Oregon as a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. And yes, the marriage was legally valid, and still going strong.

June Spotlight: Cynthia Lam

1. Current place of work/title?

GBC Law, Owner

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

I first got involved with FACL when I moved to BC from Ontario in 2015. I didn't know many people here and wanted to join a community that would allow me to network and make friends at the same time.

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

The "But I Look Like a Lawyer" initiative. I love things that are relatable and this one was spot on!

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

There are no mistakes or failures in life. Every experience is a lesson and things always work out in the end.

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

I am fascinated by astronomy and ancient civilizations. 

May Spotlight: Chilwin Chienhan Cheng

1. Current place of work/title?

Ascendion Law

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

Serene Chow asked me to participate as a speaker and mentor at a FACL conference. My involvement with FACL-BC ramped up significantly when Fiona Wong asked me to co-produce and host a mini-series on the FACL-BC podcast featuring prominent Asian litigators. 

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

The FACL-BC podcast as a host and as a guest, and the 2024 gala dinner. It was so much fun meeting so many trailblazers and people I admire in the profession.

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

The advice that senior lawyers are trying to tell you: that courtesy, civility, candour, honour, and professionalism really do matter the most in the long run - is true. After over twenty-five years of practice, it's become apparent to me that my reputation is the only asset that I have. When I was younger, it felt like my best assets were my smarts, knowledge of the law, and my work ethic.  But now, I've realized that my ability to pick up the phone and talk to other counsel to work something out, to talk out a problem, or learn something new, has proven to be my most valuable asset. Building collegial relationships takes time, patience, humility, and consistently treating everyone as I wish to be treated.

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

I am a registered athlete with Boxing BC and actively train to fight in matches. I have five sanctioned fights under my belt and several sanctioned and unsanctioned exhibition matches. Oh, and I love dogs, miniature schnauzers especially.

April Spotlight: Kevin Wang

1. What is your name?

Kevin Wang

2. Current place of work/title?

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP

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

I joined FACL BC as a student member in 2017 and attended various FACL BC events. I also had the pleasure of helping out with the 2019 FACL Annual Gala with my dear friend and mentor Jayde Wood. 

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

The Hometown Eats series

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

Make the most of your time, and build good habits. Time is the most precious element of human existence. You cannot get your time back so make the most of it. Time is also a very powerful element because the effect of good habits can compound over time. The longer you compound, the greater the rewards. And the best time to start is always now.

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

I took up boxing about a year ago and now I do it every week.

March Spotlight: Steven Ngo

1. Current place of work/title?

Senior Counsel, Rivian.

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

I remember attending my first FACL Ontario gala as a law student in 2013, and after the gala, I was inspired to start up my own chapter of FACL in Alberta. I knew that there had never been a FACL chapter in Alberta before, and I was lined up to article in Calgary after graduation, so why not? I was the youngest president of any FACL chapter in Canada but age really doesn't matter. After I moved back to BC in 2019, I wanted to keep going, so I ran for a board position that year. After a few years, I became president of FACL BC and I'm currently in my final year on the board as advisory director / past president.

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

While the gala is definitely a popular event, my favourite initiative has been our regular journal sessions (“Write On”). This was something that Jenny Huang and I started on a whim where we would invite members to wake up early with us on a Sunday morning and journal together. I've learned a lot about myself and others who have taken part and it's my favourite initiative thus far.

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

A lot can change in 5 years. Dream massive and follow your intuition. You're on the right track.

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

Outside of law and advocacy work, I host a podcast called 2 Dads 1 Car where we talk about modern fatherhood. Patrick Chan was actually one of my earlier guests, and this is how I was able to invite him to be our recent gala keynote speaker!

February Spotlight: Seema Lal

1. Current place of work/title?

Partner, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP

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

I first got involved in FACL BC about 10 years ago but have recently become re-engaged as a FACL member. 

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

I was invited to attend the recent FACL Partners Networking Event which was a fantastic event.  I also really enjoy the FACL gala that was held last November.

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

Find a good mentor and a good sponsor! Both are equally important - mentors help their mentees develop a career vision, while sponsors typically drive the sponsee's vision. 

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

I am an avid karaoke singer (and amateur dancer)!

January Spotlight: Jennifer Chow, K.C.

1. Current place of work/title?

Senior Counsel at the federal Department of Justice. 

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

I supported the founders of FACL BC while CBABC president.

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

The FACL BC gala is a wonderful annual event.

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

That everyone feels like an imposter at times.

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

That I am learning how to wingfoil.

December Spotlight: Brian Cheng

1. Current place of work/title?

I'm a shareholder in the litigation practice group at Owen Bird Law Corporation.

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

A few years ago, FACL invited me to speak at their annual mentorship roundtable as a panelist with Chilwin Cheng, owner of Ascendion Law, and Justice Randall Wong, retired BCSC judge. At that time, I was a senior associate. Participating on a panel with a seasoned litigator and BC's longest serving justice was inspiring, but the experience also reminded me what imposter syndrome felt like. After that, I continued my FACL involvement with activities more fitting for my station, such as sending memes to the FACL board and telling bad jokes on the FACL podcast.

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

As the highest profile event on its calendar, the FACL gala is probably the de FACto answer for most, and it is definitely a fun event. However, the FACL advocacy committee's initiatives to issue statements, educate our membership, and advance social justice causes are meaningful and make me proud to be part of an organization committed to promoting equity and justice.

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

Don't forget to put the "LIT" in "litigator"!

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

I know the lyrics to almost every Lion King song.

Listen to Brian’s podcast episode on Apple and Spotify!

November Spotlight: Sadaf Kashfi

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

I got involved with FACL BC while I was in law school.

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

FACL BC Leadership Academy.

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

Trust your intuition.

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

I studied law in Hawaii.

October Spotlight: Wendy Zhang

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

I first got involved with FACL BC when the BC chapter got started in 2011. I remember how exciting it was to have an organization that represented Asian Canadians at a time when there were so few of us in our year at UBC Allard. When I was called, I still remember the shock when I found out I was only the second of two Zhang's listed on the BC Law Society website. Imagine that, the last name Zhang being rare! It's good to see we are not so rare anymore.

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

The Gala has always been my favourite. It is always a good event to connect with the community, which is sometimes hard to do with busy lawyers.

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

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

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

My first Canadian language is French, and I speak French at home with my spouse.