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
Statements
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15 Oct 2025 5:00 PM
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10 Oct 2025 12:34 AM
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30 Sep 2025 5:28 PM
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23 Sep 2025 9:17 AM
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2 Sep 2025 2:47 AM
Our Podcast
Documentary
President's Message
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 Connect With Us |
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It is with great honour and humility that I lead FACL BC as its President for 2025-2026.
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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