FACL BC - Gala

FACL BC is thrilled to be hosting our 13th Annual Gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Friday, November 15, 2024 beginning at 5:30 pm. Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition and celebration of our community's achievements, shared values, and strength found in our diversity.

The theme for this year’s Gala is “Unity in Diversity”. This theme emphasizes that our differences make us stronger and highlights the importance of working together across various backgrounds to build a more inclusive and equitable legal community.

Following the tremendous success of last year's sold out Gala, we anticipate sponsorships and tickets to be in high demand. Be sure to mark your calendars and secure your seat at the Gala:

On sale now: Sponsorships available for purchase by contacting gala@faclbc.ca.
On sale now: Single ticket sale starts for FACL BC members.
September 12: Single ticket sale starts for the general public.
October 1: Limited student ticket sale starts for students.

Sponsoring and/or attending the Gala is one way to support the pan-Asian Canadian legal community. We look forwarding to hosting you at our most anticipated event of the year.

We will continue to update the information on this website as details of the event are confirmed.

Please contact Lily Zhang (Gala Chair) at gala@faclbc,ca if you have any questions about the Gala.

When: Friday, November 15, 2024 from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

5:30 PM: Check-in opens
5:30 PM to 6:45 PM: Cocktail reception with cash bar
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM: Dinner and Speeches

Opening remarks
President's address
Keynote speech
Scholarship presentation
Door prizes
Closing remarks

9:30 pm to 12:00 AM: After-Gala party

Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - 900 W Georgia Street

Dress Code: Business formal or formal cultural attire

Menu: The three-course plated dinner will consist of the following:

Buffalo Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomato, Basil Puree, Balsamic Pearls (D, Veg)
Slow Cooked Salmon Filet, Braised Fennel, Broccolini, Fingerling Potato, Sauce Vierge (S)
Amaretto and Espresso Flavored Tiramisu, Chocolate Dipped Biscotti (D, G, N)

We offer alternative options for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions. If you are attending the Gala with a single ticket or student ticket, please indicate any allergies or dietary restrictions when you purchase your ticket. If you are attending the Gala with a sponsor, please advise the sponsor of any allergies or dietary restrictions and we will obtain this information from the sponsor.

Click here to join our waitlist for tickets to the Gala.

We are currently sold out of tickets to the Gala! Please join the waitlist in case additional tickets become available.

Please inquire with your firm, organization, or law school prior to purchasing a single or student ticket. Oftentimes we find that your employer or school is already supporting the Gala so you may be able to secure a seat with them, as opposed to purchasing an individual ticket.

Two types of tickets are available for purchase:

Single Tickets (Non-Refundable) - SOLD OUT (Please join waitlist in case additional tickets become available)

Single tickets can be purchased individually or in groups.
Single ticket holders will be assigned seating at a table of 10 closer to the date of the Gala.

Student Tickets (Non-Refundable) - SOLD OUT (Please join waitlist in case additional tickets become available)
- Students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school, articling students, judicial law clerks, and NCA candidates are eligible to purchase a student ticket.
- Guests of individuals who purchase students tickets must also be eligible for students tickets in order to attend the Gala using student tickets.
- A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase starting October 1.

Seating Requests

Single or student ticket holders will be assigned seating at a table of 10 closer to the date of the Gala. If you would like to request to sit together with one or more other attendee(s) at the Gala, please complete this form. Only one attendee in the group needs to complete the form after all attendees in the group have purchased their tickets. Please read the instructions on the form carefully before completing the form.

Please submit seating requests by October 20, 2024. We will do our best to accommodate seating requests but are unable to guarantee these requests.

FACL BC is pleased to announce two FACL BC student scholarships, each worth $1,000 CAD! One of the student scholarships is generously sponsored by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association ("NAPABA"). We thank NAPABA for their continued support.

The FACL BC student scholarships recognize two current law students enrolled at a law school within British Columbia who demonstrate a keen interest in, and willingness to contribute to the British Columbian pan-Asian Canadian legal community. Consideration will be given to the applicant’s leadership and community involvement, and financial need.

Law students currently enrolled in a law school in British Columbia who self-identify as of persons of pan-Asian descent are eligible to apply. The scholarships will be awarded to successful applicants during the 13th Annual Gala on November 15, 2024.

To apply, please visit this website. The deadline to apply is November 3, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Click here to register for our Complimentary Annual Conference.

Ahead of the 13th Annual Gala, join us at our complimentary conference and hear from our panel speakers on their unique perspectives on navigating the legal profession as pan-Asian Canadian legal professionals, individually and collectively, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in achieving true inclusion.

In connection with the theme of the 13th Annual Gala, “Unity in Diversity”, the conference will entail an insightful and interactive discussion on how equity, diversity, and inclusion are not separate concepts but are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing. By understanding their intersections and hearing the insights and experiences shared by the speakers, we hope to identify challenges, create comprehensive strategies, and empower the attendees to drive positive change in their workplaces, communities, and beyond.

The conference will be held in person at Vancouver Centre II, Skyview Lounge, 29th Floor, 733 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 0S6. The conference venue is just a five minute walk to the Gala venue!

Complementary canapés and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

The agenda for the conference is as follows:

Event check-in: 3:15 pm to 3:30 pm
Welcome and introductions: 3:30 pm to 3:40 pm
Moderated panel discussion: 3:40 to 4:40 pm
Q&A session: 4:40 pm to 5:00 pm
Concluding remarks and thank you: 5:00 pm to 5:10 pm
Informal audience/panelists engagement: 5:10 pm to 5:30 pm

We are pleased to announce the following panel speakers for the conference:

Kwang Lim, Vancouver Managing Partner, Bennett Jones
Dimple Kainth, Founder and CEO of Satya Law and Sayva Consulting
Barbara Wang, Manager, Student Programs & EDI, Blakes Vancouver
Brian Cheng, Shareholder, Owen Bird Law Corporation

The conference will be moderated by Sebastian Chern, FACL BC VP External.

FACL BC, as an equity-seeking organization, recognizes that there can be financial barriers to our members attending the 13th Annual Gala. In order to help reduce this barrier, FACL BC is pleased to present two types of bursaries aimed to make attending the 13th Annual Gala more accessible for law students and lawyers practicing outside of large firms.

These bursaries are awarded on a rolling basis and are subject to the availability of the bursaries and single tickets or student tickets, as applicable.

The bursaries will be provided to recipients following the 13th Annual Gala.

FACL BC reserves the right to exercise sole discretion over the eligibility, recipients, and amount of bursaries provided.

Solo/Small Firm/Non-profit Lawyer Bursary - Application Closed

A bursary of $100 towards a single ticket to the 13th Annual Gala to lawyers who practice as a solo practitioner, in a small firm with 10 or fewer lawyers, or for a non-profit organization. There are limited bursaries available.

An applicant is not required to purchase a single ticket before applying for this bursary, but must purchase a single ticket within 7 days of being notified that they have been selected for the bursary.

Interested applicants should fill out the application form as soon as possible as applications are considered on a rolling basis and subject to the availability of the bursaries and single tickets. FACL BC is aiming to notify successful applicants as early as September 16, 2024. Applications will close on September 30, 2024, when all bursaries are awarded, or when single tickets are sold out, whichever is earliest.

More details of this bursary and qualified applicants can be found in the application form.

Application for this bursary is now closed.

Student Travel Bursary - Application Closed

A bursary of up to $100 CAD to current law students from the University of Victoria and Thompson Rivers University to help offset incurred travel expenses to Vancouver for the purpose of attending the 13th Annual Gala. There are limited bursaries available.

Interested applicants should fill out the application form as soon as possible as applications are considered on a rolling basis and subject to the availability of the bursaries and student tickets. FACL BC is aiming to notify successful applicants as early as October 11, 2024. Applications will close on October 31, 2024 or when all bursaries are awarded, whichever is earlier.

Q: Who is FACL BC?

A: FACL BC is a diverse coalition dedicated to promoting equity, justice, and opportunity for pan-Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community.

Q: Is the Gala at the same venue as last year?

A: Yes, this year's Gala will be held at the same location as last year at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 W Georgia Street).

Q: Do I have to identify as Asian to attend the Gala, or any FACL BC event?

A: No, as the largest equity-seeking bar organization in BC, FACL BC is dedicated to promoting equality, justice, and opportunity not only for Asian-Canadian legal professionals, but also the wider community. As an inclusive organization, we welcome all allies to attend our event and support the FACL BC community. Individuals who wish to support our mission but do not self-identify as Asian are also welcome to purchase a Supporting Membership at faclbc.ca/join.

Q: What should I wear to the 13th Annual Gala?

A: The recommended style of dress is business formal or formal cultural attire. Examples of business formal include a suit and blouse, a suit and tie, a business dress, etc. If you feel comfortable, we encourage you to showcase formal attire that reflects your cultural heritage such as a saree and a Qi Pao dress.

Q: What if I have allergies or dietary restrictions and cannot eat the food on the set menu?

A: No fear, our venue is committed to accommodating a large range of allergies and dietary restrictions. If you are attending the Gala with a Single Ticket or Student Ticket, please indicate any allergies or dietary restrictions when you purchase your ticket. If you are attending the Gala with a sponsor, please advise the sponsor of any allergies or dietary restrictions and we will obtain this information from the sponsor.

Q: If I purchased a single ticket, can I request to be seated with other single ticket holders?

A: Single or student ticket holders will be assigned seating at a table of 10 closer to the date of the Gala. If you would like to request to sit together with one or more other attendee(s) at the Gala, please complete this form. Only one attendee in the group needs to complete the form after all attendees in the group have purchased their tickets. Please read the instructions on the form carefully before completing the form.

Please submit seating requests by October 20, 2024. We will do our best to accommodate seating requests but are unable to guarantee these requests.

Q: Will the event sell out before I am able to buy a ticket?

A: We are working diligently to accommodate all interest in the 13th Annual Gala. We have implemented a gradual roll-out of tickets so that potential attendees can first explore options to sit at sponsored tables before purchasing single tickets which are non-refundable. If you would like to purchase a Single Ticket or a Student Ticket, please purchase the ticket as early as possible to secure your seat at the Gala.

We are grateful to our sponsors for their generous support. All Gala sponsorship proceeds go towards furthering FACL BC's mission of promoting equity, justice, and opportunity.

Sponsoring the Gala brings your organization enhanced brand exposure, invaluable networking opportunities, and a unique chance to highlight your commitment to advancing equity and diversity.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please see our Sponsorship Package here.

We thank you for your interested in sponsoring the Gala. At this time, we are sold out of sponsorship opportunities. We invite you to purchase single tickets to the Gala and look forward to hosting you. Please contact Lily Zhang (Gala Chair) at gala@faclbc,ca if you have any questions.