The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) is a diverse coalition of Asian Canadian legal professionals working to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community.

Founded in 2011, FACL BC is the largest equity-seeking bar association in British Columbia with over 850 members ranging from judges, partners, associates, in-house counsel, academics and law students and is affiliated with other FACL chapters across Canada and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in the United States, which represents over 80,000 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander lawyers.

In 2024, FACL BC became the second organization to receive the Canadian Bar Association Touchstone Award as a result of our contributions relating to race and gender, and for promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, and the legal community in all of Canada. That same year, FACL BC also received the NAPABA Affiliate of the Year Award, recognized out of 75 organizations for its best practices and accomplishments in the local community, becoming the first Canadian organization to receive this recognition.

FACL BC was also the winner of the 2022 Clawbies award for Best Podcast and the 2021 Clawbies award for Best Innovative Project for our ground-breaking documentary, “But I Look Like a Lawyer”, which captures stories of the discrimination, stereotyping and bias experienced by members of the Pan-Asian legal community. Our documentary was screened at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival in 2022 and continues to serve as an educational resource for Canadian and US law firms and law schools, including the BC Professional Legal Training Course.

Allies are welcome and can support our mission by joining as a Supporting Member. Supporting Members do not need to identify as pan-Asian or as a legal professional. Learn more here. 


Events

    • 23 Jul 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • Zoom

    Register Here

    In accordance with the Bylaws of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (“FACL BC”), notice is hereby given to all Members of FACL BC that a General Meeting of the Members (“AGM”) will be held as follows:

    • Location: Zoom

    • Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026

    • Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

    This AGM is open to all current FACL BC Members. Please register for the AGM by July 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The Zoom link will be sent to you once your registration is approved. Voting at the AGM will be conducted by eligible Members in virtual attendance through an online voting platform. A form for appointing a proxy for matters requiring a vote at this AGM will be provided in advance of the AGM. Supporting Members may attend the AGM but are not eligible to vote at the AGM. 

    Please note that only registrations by current Members will be approved. If you are not a FACL BC Member, your membership has expired, or have yet to register for the 2026 year, you can join/renew through our website before registering for the AGM. 

    The Agenda for the AGM is as follows (subject to minor changes):

    • 5:00-5:05 – President – meeting called to order and approval of previous meeting minutes
    • 5:00-5:05 – President – meeting called to order and approval of previous meeting minutes

    • 5:05-5:10 – Treasurer/Secretary remarks – financial statements and membership details

    • 5:10-5:15 – Outgoing President’s remarks

    • 5:15-5:20 – Incoming President’s remarks

    • 5:20-5:30 – Incoming VPs’ remarks

    • 5:30-5:40 – Acknowledgement of departing and remaining board members

    • 5:40-6:15 – Election of new Board members 

    • 6:15-6:20 – Announcement of election results

    • 6:20-6:25 – Closing remarks and adjournment

    • 6:25-6:30 – Debrief with new Board of Directors

    CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

    Nominations for positions on FACL BC’s Board of Directors are open for 2026-2027. Please submit nomination statements here by July 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM

    FACL BC has a working Board of Directors, and every FACL Board member’s engagement and contributions play a key role in promoting FACL BC’s mission and mandate. 

    All FACL BC Board members are required to:

    • attend monthly Board meetings and major Board events held throughout the year;

    • chair or co-chair and participate in FACL BC committees; 

    • support and attend FACL BC events throughout the year, including the annual Gala; 

    • undertake active high-level and on-the-ground leadership; and 

    • contribute actively to the planning and execution of FACL BC programming and initiatives.

    Ideal candidates for the Board are individuals who have been active members of FACL BC for at least a year and are familiar with and have contributed to FACL BC’s mandate and initiatives.

    A candidate may be nominated for only one Board position. Candidates are required to attend the AGM and provide a short speech about their candidacy. 

    Only current Full and Student Members are eligible to be nominated for Board positions. Supporting Members are not eligible for Board positions. 

    The following positions are available: 

    Director-at-Large (Two-Year Term)

    The FACL BC Board has four Director-at-Large (two-year term) positions available. These positions are open to FACL BC’s Full Members. 

    Director-at-Large (One-Year Term)

    The FACL BC Board has one Director-at-Large (one-year term) position available. This position is open to FACL BC’s Full Members. 

    Area Director (Two-Year Term)

    The FACL BC Board has one Area Director position for each of Kamloops and Victoria available. Area Directors are key liaisons between FACL BC and their respective region’s legal community and represent and promote FACL BC in their respective regions. These positions are open to FACL BC’s Full Members in Kamloops or Victoria.

    Secretary (Two-Year Term)

    The FACL BC Board has one Secretary position available. This position is open to FACL BC’s Full Members. The Secretary is an integral part of the FACL BC Board and responsible for, among others:

    • overseeing the issuance of notices of FACL BC General Meetings and Board meetings;

    • taking minutes of FACL BC General Meetings and Board meetings;

    • maintaining the records of the FACL BC Society in accordance with the Societies Act;

    • assisting in conducting the correspondence of the FACL BC Board;

    • overseeing the filing of the annual report of the FACL BC and making any other filings with the registrar under the Societies Act;

    • chairing the Governance Committee;

    • organizing governance training session for the Board; and

    • overseeing planning of FACL BC's General Meetings.

    Student Director (One-Year Term)

    The FACL BC Board has one Student Director position for each of BC’s law schools (UBC, TRU, and UVic) available. Student Directors are key liaisons between FACL BC and their respective law school and represent/promote FACL BC at their respective law school. These positions are open to FACL BC’s Student Members who are current JD or graduate law students at UBC, TRU, or UVic. 

    Candidates for FACL BC Board positions may share their candidacy with Members leading up to the AGM through social media and email. If you choose to do so, please be mindful of Members' communication preferences.

    If you have any questions, please contact us at info@faclbc.ca.

    ___________________________________________________

    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.


Statements


Our Podcast

    


Documentary



President's Message

It is with great honour and humility that I lead FACL BC as its President for 2025-2026.

FACL BC enters its 14th year stronger than ever. We launched the first issue of our journal, Silk Threads, highlighting voices and perspectives on EDI that are generally not prioritized in the legal profession. The annual gala, held annually in November, continues to be one of the Vancouver bar’s most anticipated events. Flagship events and initiatives such as the Mentorship program, Leadership Academy, and Hometown Eats continue to bring the community together. Two of our newest committees, the In-House Committee and NCA/LLM committee, are thriving, encouraging a truly diverse makeup for our membership. And last, but certainly not least, the Law Foundation of BC’s generous grant is allowing us to deepen our community outreach and legal advocacy. 

The key to FACL BC’s success has always been its members, including your openness and dedication to FACL BC and what it can do. Because of you, FACL BC is a diverse and welcoming community that is driven by its values. It is brimming with dynamism and new ideas to innovate and aid others in need. Indeed, your support paved the way for me, a first-generation and working-class Filipina immigrant and junior lawyer, to continue leading the charge. 

With your help, I know we can continue to make an impact, and leave the legal profession better than we experienced it.  Whether it's attending our events, sponsoring a new initiative, or volunteering for a committee, it all builds up to impactful change. Join me, and 750+ of your peers, in this fruitful journey. 

Like you, I believe in and I seek to advance FACL BC’s mandate. While the mandate seems more ambitious than ever nowadays, I hope that you are up for the challenge. Together, we are unstoppable. 

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President. I look forward to working with you! 

Jennine Punzalan
President
Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC
Linkedin 


Connect With Us


The FACL BC registered office is situated on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ə (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We acknowledge the significance of the land for the Indigenous peoples who have lived here and acted as stewards since time immemorial, as well as the historical and ongoing injustices they still face. We are committed to working towards decolonial solidarity and the full realization of Indigenous rights.   Read our full land acknowledgement here.

© 2011 - 2024 Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society  |  Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software