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

    • 17 Oct 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
    • 6
    Register

    Join us for a refreshing after-work social over matcha!

    Whether you want to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, or simply wind down with a cozy drink after a long week, this event is for you.

    This is the perfect opportunity to connect with new and returning FACL BC members in a relaxed and informal environment.

    Friday, October 17 | 5:30 - 7:00 pm

    Cafe Marie | @cafe.marie.vancouver | 425 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver

    Cost: $9 (includes your drink, tax and tip)

    Choose from the following drinks (and include choice at registration)

    1. Iced Matcha Latte

    2. Iced Double Matcha Latte

    3. Iced Hojicha Latte

    4. Iced Strawberry Matcha

    5. Iced Banana Matcha Latte

    6. Iced Pistachio Matcha Latte

    7. Non-dairy milk options of the above* 

    *Almond, soy, oat and macadamia available - let cafe know when you pass them your drink voucher.

    Space is limited, and attendance will be capped. Please note that registration is non-refundable, and changes cannot be made due to the high volume of anticipated orders.

    This event is for FACL BC members. Not a member yet? Join us here.

    ___________________________________________________

    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.

    • 23 Oct 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
    Register

    The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers British Columbia Society ("FACL BC") is proud to present a new collaboration with The Turkish-Canadian Lawyers Association ("TCLA") for NCA Candidates.

    TCLA is a national non-profit organization that aims to build strong legal, business, and cultural connections within the Turkish legal community and has expanded its organization to Vancouver, B.C.

    FACL BC and TCLA recognize that the NCA process can often feel confusing, isolating, and overwhelming. To support students on this journey, we’re excited to present a panel discussion designed to offer practical insight and guidance as you navigate your NCA exams.

    The panel will feature NCA students who have completed their required exams, as well as an experienced NCA tutor. Together, they will share their perspectives on exam selection, study strategies, and personal experiences.

    Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (PT) and join us on Zoom for this informative session.

    Registration is open to FACL BC and TCLA members.

    Disclaimer: FACL BC and TCLA does not endorse any specific tutoring services. This discussion is intended to provide guidance, foster community, and support students in navigating the NCA process.

    Moderated and Organized by: Ashleen Toor and Winnie Tang

    The panelist:

    Vanessa Santaguida

    Vanessa is the founder of NCA Mentor™️, has a rich educational background with an LLB obtained with first-class honors from the University of Sussex in England. Recognizing a lack of support for Internationally trained law students and lawyers (ITLs) in the NCA market upon her return, Vanessa's passion for teaching and empowering legal professionals led her to establish NCA Mentor™️. With an Undergraduate and master’s degrees in business, a Bachelor of Education, and a teaching certificate from the Ontario College of Teachers, Vanessa brings over a decade of teaching experience to her role.

    Abby Pang

    Abby is a family lawyer with an office in downtown Vancouver. She has been practicing law since 2012. She attended the University of British Columbia for an undergraduate degree in psychology and family studies. She attended an exchange program through the University of Hong Kong for law school. Upon her return, she completed her NCA exams while working at a large law firm in Vancouver. Abby has volunteered through FACL in the mentorship committee, advocacy committee, and membership committee. Currently, Abby runs her own boutique family law practice while taking a collaborative family-first approach.

    Reena Parmar

    Reena Parmar is a second-generation Canadian and one of the first in her family to have the opportunity and privilege to pursue higher education. Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Bond University in Australia.

    Reena is currently articling with Peter Grant KC in Vancouver, with joint oversight from Phillips Barristers P.C. in Toronto. Her articling focuses on Aboriginal Title, Civil Litigation, and Administrative Law. Before attending law school and during her NCAs, Reena worked at Indigenous Tourism BC, where she was honoured to contribute to the organization’s growth by leading key initiatives in governance, strategic planning, and economic development.

    • 28 Oct 2025
    • 5:30 PM
    • University of Victoria, Room TBA
    Register


    Join FACL UVic and the UVic Film Club for a spooky Halloween movie night! We’ll be screening the acclaimed Korean horror film A Tale of Two Sisters. Come enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, connect with fellow students, and learn more about the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) and the work we do in the UVic community. Costumes are welcome but not required, just bring your friends and get ready for a fun, spooky evening!

    Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

    Time: 5:30 pm

    Location: Room B142, Fraser Building, University of Victoria

    While this event is complimentary, we kindly request that you inform us of any‬ changes to your RSVP as a courtesy to both‬‭ our host 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.


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