Are you planning to become a lawyer in British Columbia? Curious about PLTC, preparing for the bar exams, or what the articling experience is like? Heard mixed stories about the licensing process and want to separate fact from fiction?

Come join us at "Surviving and Thriving PLTC and Articles" on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 5:30PM - 7:00PM (online). Designed for NCA and LLMCL candidates, this event will provide valuable tips, strategies, and best practices to help articling students succeed. Connect with seasoned professionals and gain the insights you need to navigate your journey with confidence!

The panel will cover firsthand experiences, common challenges, strategies for success, and essential skills for thriving throughout PLTC and articling. Insights will be shared by a current articling student and lawyers with extensive experience mentoring students through these stages. Featured speakers are Tina Ye (Yan Muirhead), Will Tao (Heron Law Offices), and Maral Angha (Cassels).

Meet our Speakers

Maral Angha is currently the Knowledge & Practice Innovation Manager at Cassels. Her career transitioned into knowledge and innovation three years ago after over a decade as a litigator working in various environments from in house to big law. Maral was also a PLTC teacher at the Law Society of BC and continues to work with students at the Everyone Legal Clinic at Access Pro Bono as a supervising lawyer helping students with strategies on passing the PLTC. Maral was called to the BC Bar in 2012 after graduating from the University of Buckingham and continues to be a practicing lawyer in BC.

Will Tao is the founder of Heron Law Offices, specializing in Canadian immigration, refugee, citizenship, and administrative law, with a focus on complex litigation and applications for residence and citizenship. His work involves challenging government’s use of Automated Decision Making, and finding creative immigration pathways for applicants in tech, arts and sports industries. Will is a respected lecturer to CLE publications, frequently cited by media and academia, and has served as an expert affiant before Parliamentary Committees. He is proud to share that he is a first-generation lawyer in his family and currently mentors articling students, including LLM and NCA students.

Tina Ye is a current articling student at Yan Muirhead LLP. She completed her PLTC course at the May 2024 session and will stay on with the firm to practice civil and commercial litigation. Tina obtained her LLB from Queen’s University Belfast and completed the LLMCL program at UBC in 2023. Tina is the current committee co-chair for the FACL BC NCA/LLM committee. She also volunteers with West Coast LEAF and Access Pro-Bono.

Final Notes

This event is free and open to FACL BC members only. Register through the button on the top of this email. (Note: in order to complete registration, you must be signed in to your account on the FACL BC website).

While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both our panelists and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend future complimentary events.

___________________________________________________

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.

Scotiabank is our Exclusive Financial Partner for 2024-2025. Join us for an insightful session with our experienced panelists and arm yourself with the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions for your financial plan and career. In this session we will explore debt management strategies and practice considerations, as well as review the importance and key aspects of a holistic financial plan. The goal of this event is to assist lawyers in their planning and decision-making process, arming them with tools, action items and financial confidence so they can focus on their clients and growing their career.

Light food and beverages will be provided courtesy of Scotiabank. Should you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please email membership@faclbc.ca.

Please submit your questions to our panel speakers at membership@faclbc.ca by March 31, 2025.

Meet Our Panelists:

Scotiabank: Alex Wilson, Professional Banking Specialist

Alex Wilson is a Professional Banking Specialist with a focus in business banking for professionals. In his role at Scotiabank, he delivers tailored financial solutions to lawyers, accountants and other professionals. His expertise lies in credit solutions and strategic financial guidance, helping his clients optimize both their business and personal financial portfolios. Alex is committed to empowering professionals with financial strategies that drive success.

Alex holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and has earned the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and Certificate in Small Business Banking (CSBB) certifications through the Canadian Securities Institute.

Scotiabank: Char Sandher, Moderator 

Char Sandher is the Director & Group Lead of Healthcare & Professional Banking for Western Canada at Scotiabank. She leads a team of specialists that are exclusively dedicated to providing advice and industry specific financial solutions to healthcare and professional clients. Char has been with Scotiabank for 13 years and has expertise in business development, strategic growth, change management, and business banking. Char graduated from the Sauder School of Business at UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance & Economics and is a proud mom of two young girls, Gianna (5) and Kiara (3).  

ScotiaMcLeod: George Zhang, ScotiaMcLeod Wealth Advisor          

George manages family financial planning at Scotia McLeod. George has held roles with multiple large Canadian banks. Skilled in data analysis, George can assist with designing an asset allocation plan based on your unique situation.

George manages family financial planning at Scotia McLeod. George has held roles with multiple large Canadian banks. Skilled in data analysis, George can assist with designing an asset allocation plan based on your unique situation.

George was born in Tianjin, China. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Financefrom Simon Fraser University, as well as a Master’s Degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. George lives with his wife in Yaletown. In his spare time, he enjoys working out as well as golf.

MNP: Sean Akeroyd, CPA, CA, Partner

Sean is a member of MNP’s Private Enterprise Services team in Vancouver. With more than a decade of experience, Sean primarily serves private enterprise clients, with an emphasis on incorporated professionals and professional service firms. He delivers practical solutions to help clients achieve their strategic business and family goals and takes great pride in developing a thorough and lasting relationship with each client. He believes it is key to have a solid understanding of each business in order to provide high quality advice and support.

Sean helps clients with personal and corporate tax compliance, tax planning and consulting, business advisory, and review and audit services. In addition to working with incorporated professionals, he works with businesses in the hospitality and restaurant, manufacturing, retail, real estate and construction sectors.

Sean earned a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Victoria in 2006. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2008.

Final Note:

While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both our panelists and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend future complimentary events.

___________________________________________________

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 proud to announce the launch of the inaugural issue of the FACL BC Journal, a space for contributors and readers to engage with and share content about the legal issues and topics relevant to the pan-Asian Canadian community in British Columbia. Issue I brings together a collection of articles from a diverse group of community contributors and a number of articles written by FACL BC’s committees and will be available in print and in digital formats.

Join us on Thursday, April 24 at the illustrious Shangri-La Hotel to celebrate the official unveiling of FACL BC Journal Issue I at our Launch Party! Come hear from a panel of our contributors on their articles, the importance of creating spaces for and highlighting the perspectives of diverse voices within legal publications, and their experience in submitting to the FACL Journal and the publication process.

Afterwards, mix and mingle with the authors and members of the pan-Asian Canadian legal community during our reception. Drinks and canapés will be provided to keep the conversation going well into the night.

Print copies of Issue I will be available at the Launch Party and we will be hosting a contest to name the FACL BC Journal, with a 1-night stay at the Shangri-La for the winning entry.

Date: Thursday, April 24

Time: 5:30 - 9:00PM

Agenda:

5:30PM - Doors Open/Registration

6:00PM - Opening Remarks / Moderated Panel Discussion

7:30PM - Closing Remarks and Reception

Final Notes:

The volunteer-run Journal is published by FACL BC, with funding from the Law Foundation of British Columbia. We are grateful for their support in making this publication possible.

While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both our panelists and other potential attendees. Timely notification of any changes ensures efficient planning and helps us maintain the quality of our events. Please note that unexplained absences or repeated no-shows to FACL BC events may affect your ability to attend future complimentary events.

___________________________________________________

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.