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The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society 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. 

We welcome you to join us as a member or attend any of our upcoming events.


Upcoming Events

  • FACL BC Benefit Banquet

    • 6 Jun 2023
    • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park
    • 1
    Register


    The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC (FACL BC) is pleased to invite you to join us at our inaugural benefit banquet on Tuesday, June 6 at the Seasons in the Park from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

    Join us for an evening of celebration and networking, limited to only 30 seats to ensure an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. Network and connect with some of the most influential and respected legal professionals, business professionals, community leaders and advocates for Asian Canadians.

    As our guest, you will have a unique opportunity to hear from and connect with our keynote speakers, who are true icons in our community and will share their invaluable insights and experiences.

    Tickets for the benefit banquet are limited and are available at $450 per seat. All proceeds go towards supporting our initiatives and programs that champion equality, justice, and opportunity for the Asian Canadian community.

    Don't miss your chance to be part of this event, as seats are limited. Secure your seat today and join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, generosity and philanthropy.

    Keynote Speakers

    • The Honourable Niki Sharma, K.C., Attorney General of British Columbia
    • Carol Lee, Founder of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation

    Dietary Restrictions

    Guests with dietary restrictions must email info@faclbc.ca to arrange alternative food options before May 30.

    About FACL BC

    The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society 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 500 members ranging from judges, partners, associates, in-house counsel, academics and law students and is affiliated with other FACL chapters across Canada and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in the United States, which represents over 60,000 lawyers.

    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 also selected for the 26th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival and has been screened across Canada and the United States.


    Show details

  • President’s Picnic and Board Info Session

    • 17 Jun 2023
    • 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Memorial South Park
    Register


    We cordially invite you to join us for our President's Picnic and Board Info Session on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 12:00 - 2:30 PM.

    Venue: Memorial South Park, picnic area by the pond (Google Maps), across from 5830 Prince Albert St, Vancouver 

    Attire: Weekend Casual

    Please bring something small for yourself and to share with 3-4 people.

    In addition to the picnic, we will be hosting a board info session for those interested in joining us as a director or as a volunteer.  Discover upcoming initiatives, gain a deeper understanding of our organization, and explore ways to contribute your skills and perspectives to our community.

    Whether you are a longstanding member or new to FACL, we extend a warm invitation to you. We appreciate your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you there.

    If there are any weather updates, we'll update this page accordingly.  In the event of extreme weather, we will reschedule or move this event indoors.

    ___________________________________________________

    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. 
    Show details

  • Parenting As A Legal Professional: The School-Aged Years

    • 21 Jun 2023
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom


    Register Here

    Lawyering is a profession that attracts those who love planning and certainty. What happens when a lawyer becomes a parent, and realizes there is no manual for how to be a working parent? Previous FACL BC panels on parenting as a legal professional have included parents of newborns, toddlers, and preschoolers learning to navigate parental leaves, diapers, and daycare. As the kids of FACL BC members have grown up, so has this panel. This year’s panel features 4 Asian-Canadian lawyers, all with school-aged children (ages 5 to 10). Has it gotten easier? Are they sleeping more? How are the challenges different? How do you raise grounded little humans while balancing a busy legal practice? Our panelists will candidly share their experiences and advice for work-life integration, parental problem-solving, and finding alignment between work and one’s parenting goals. Everyone is welcome, whether you are thinking of having children, have children of your own or other caregiving responsibilities, or simply want to hone your team and leadership skills by becoming a more empathetic colleague and manager of team members with different family situations.

    We would like to thank Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP for their generous sponsorship. 

    • Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 
    • Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 
    • Location: Zoom 

    Moderator: 

    • Jennifer Lau, Assistant Director of Professional Resources at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP   

    Panelists: 

    • Enoch Chang, Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
    • Elizabeth Mah, Lawyer and Founder of Paperclip Law 
    • Sena Byun, Senior Counsel at Telus Corporation 
    • Dave Namkung, Partner at Smith Legal Search 


    Whether you are curious about how parenting looks like for lawyers, or if you are a lawyer-parent looking for community, we are excited to invite you to join us at this panel event. FACL BC has organized previous parenting panels where we discussed pre-pregnancy planning, parental leave, and parenting toddlers. This year, we have “grown up” to chat about parenting during the school-aged years. 

    The panelists, who have all taken different career paths in law, will discuss how parenting looks like for them, the challenges they have faced as they became parents, and how their community (which includes us at FACL BC!) can better support the parents in our midst. Bring your thoughts and questions on this topic as there will be opportunity for Q&A at the end! 

    Show details

  • Fireside Chat with Chief Judge Gillespie

    • 23 Jun 2023
    • 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
    • 666 Burrard St Suite 1700 Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
    Register


    The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) is thrilled to present an exclusive fireside chat with Chief Judge Gillespie of the Provincial Court of British Columbia. This event promises to be an engaging and informative session that will shed light on the process of becoming a Provincial Court judge in British Columbia. 

    Are you a lawyer or law student eager to explore the intricacies of the judicial appointment process? Curious about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for aspiring judges? Then this event is for you, don’t miss your chance to hear from the Chief Judge.

    Chief Judge Gillespie, the second female Chief Judge of the Provincial Court, will draw from her wealth of experience and extensive knowledge to provide valuable insights into the journey to becoming a Provincial Court judge. With a career marked by dedication, accomplishment and an unwavering commitment to justice, Chief Judge Gillespie offers a unique perspective on the application process and the qualities sought in candidates.

    Schedule

    11:30am - Registration, Networking and Lunch

    12:10pm - Opening Remarks

    12:20pm - Fireside Chat

    12:50pm - Q&A

    1:00pm - Post Event Networking (optional)

    1:30pm - Event End

    Thank you to Stikeman Elliott LLP for your continued support of FACL BC and for providing us with lunch and refreshments. Space is capped, and this event is expected to sell out.


    666 Burrard St Suite 1700 Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
    https://goo.gl/maps/1PfLbvLS4TMdo3Qo7

    ___________________________________________________

    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. 


    Show details


Statements


Our Podcast

    


Documentary



President's Message

Ten years ago, I remember attending my first FACL event as a law student. It was an experience that I’ll never forget because it was the first time I felt like I actually belonged in this profession.

Like many of you, I was the first to attend law school. My parents came to Canada with a hope to create a better future for their children. They worked hard so that my brother and I could have a better future. Despite getting into law school, I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider. Even my dad was worried that my "Asian-ness" would put me at a disadvantage — he was not wrong.

Attending my first event changed all of this. It was the first time I met lawyers who not only looked like me but were also willing to lend a hand. FACL gave me a sense of community, a sense of belonging and a sense of family. 

I believe that this is what sets FACL apart from other legal organizations. As a family, our roots run deep. We support each other, we advocate for each other, and we lend a helping hand to others in need.

The rise of anti-Asian hate has shown us the importance of organizations like FACL BC that we can lean on for advocacy. We are now at a moment in history where we have the social license to speak up. We now have a seat at the table. And now is the time to send the elevator down to support the future generation of lawyers. 

I am grateful for the support of our FACL community. I am grateful for our dedicated volunteers and directors. Finally, I am grateful for members like you.

It is our members who inspire us to keep promoting equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community. In return, I invite you to continue promoting our mission, to take part in our active committees, and to connect with me. 

This year marks our 11th year in BC, and we’ve only just begun.

Steven Ngo

President, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC

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@faclbc


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.

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