West Coast Best Coast: Moving Back to BC for Articling and Work

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Whether you are a law student or a lawyer lateraling as an associate from another province, this event is tailored to provide you with tips about transferring to BC. Join us virtually on Zoom on June 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (PT), as our panelists share their experiences transitioning from out of province to practicing in BC. Learn essential strategies on navigating recruitment, building networks and settling into the BC legal community. We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

Meet our Panelists

Xue Zhang (she/her)

Xue Zhang is an associate at Lawson Lundell LLP, practicing in business law and commercial real estate law in the Asia Pacific Group. She summered and articled at the same firm, and was called to the bar in 2024. She attended the University of Calgary for her Juris Doctor, and was a visiting/letter of permission student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law during her 3L. Xue looks forward to sharing her experience navigating 2L recruitment as an out-of-province law student, as well as her summer and articling experience in Vancouver. 

Jerry Zhu (he/him)

Jerry is currently an associate at Sangra Moller LLP, practicing in corporate, commercial, and securities law. Jerry attended the University of Toronto for both his law school and undergraduate studies, before articling with Sangra Moller LLP and being called to the bar in 2024. He has thoroughly enjoyed exploring life on the West Coast, and is excited to discuss the student recruitment process as an out-of-province student, licensing in British Columbia, as well as general working differences between Vancouver and Toronto as a new call.

Jeff Hernaez (he/him)

Jeff is currently a lawyer at Olthuis van Ert where he practices commercial litigation and regulatory law. He started his legal career in Toronto as an articling student at a large national firm, and he was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2016. Jeff then practiced litigation at a small firm in Toronto from 2016-2017, before deciding to move to Vancouver. Jeff was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2017, where he first started working at a large national firm. Jeff received his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2015 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Western University in 2012. He is hoping that attendees of this event will leave with an understanding of the differences in work culture between Toronto and Vancouver, and what is like working at a small vs large firm.

Haifeng Hu (he/him)

Haifeng is currently a lawyer at Stikeman Elliott LLP in the Corporate Group whose practice focuses on: private equity, mergers and acquisitions, energy, corporate finance, securities, and general corporate matters. Haifeng received his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary, and began his legal career at Stikeman Elliott’s Calgary office as an articling student before being called to the Alberta bar in 2016. Haifeng practiced in Stikeman Elliott’s Alberta office until August 2021, before deciding to move to Stikeman Elliott’s Vancouver office. Haifeng is excited to share his experiences in working across Alberta and British Columbia at a national law firm. 

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.