FACL BC congratulates Justice Maryka Omatsu on being named as a recipient of the 2025 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, alongside Judge Holly Fujie.

Justice Omatsu is a trailblazer who was the first woman of East Asian descent to be appointed a judge in Canada. Importantly, Justice Omatsu was a founder of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers. We would be remiss not to acknowledge her significant achievements in and contributions to the legal profession and Asian legal community over the years. FACL BC is honoured to have played a small role in supporting Justice Omatsu's nomination for the award, and extends its thanks to FACL BC past presidents, Serene Chow and Jenn Lau, for their assistance in finalizing the nomination. Read more about Justice Omatsu and the full National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) statement here.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) extends its warmest congratulations to its members who have received the King’s Counsel (KC) designation as announced on May 6, 2025. This well-deserved designation is a testament to their exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession in British Columbia (BC).

FACL BC takes immense pride in the collective accomplishments of our members, whose dedication and excellence inspire the legal community. Their achievements both reflect their individual prowess and underscore the diverse and impactful contributions of Asian Canadian lawyers in shaping the legal landscape in BC and Canada. 

On this special occasion, we highlight the remarkable achievements of the below individuals, many of them being FACL BC members:

Peter Ameerali, KC is a leading public law litigator and has been a constitutional expert with the BC Ministry of Attorney General since 2005. He pioneered BC’s civil forfeiture regime and has argued at all court levels. A recognized mentor and trainer, Ameerali was a co-chair of the Young Lawyers subsection of the CBA and has since mentored dozens of students and lawyers both within government and in private practice. Ameerali has lectured at University of Victoria, Thompson Rivers University and CLEBC and provided career guidance and coaching about the legal profession at the high school level. He is a respected leader in legal ethics, equity and inclusion, serving in senior advisory roles within and outside government.

Raji Mangat, KC is the Executive Director of Litigation at West Coast Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (West Coast LEAF) and a respected leader and litigator with 20 years of experience. She is also a sessional lecturer at the University of Victoria, teaching courses such as Civil Liberties and the Charter. She works tirelessly to improve access to justice for marginalized communities through systemic change efforts. She is a strong voice for equity and inclusion in the legal profession and graciously offers her time and expertise to several legal organizations, including Access Pro Bono, Health Justice, and FACL BC. She has been a huge contributor to FACL BC, volunteering as a speaker on a number of panels and at events, including our Membership Retreat last year, providing the organization with guidance as an Advisor on our Advisory Committee (2023-2025), and being featured on one of the first episodes of our FACL BC Podcast.

Salima Samnani, KC is the director of legal services at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic and a lecturer at Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. Samnani is a Kenyan Indo-Canadian Muslim immigrant. As a lecturer, she is passionate about implementing clinical legal education pedagogies that focus on trauma-informed, skills-based legal training from a feminist, anti-racist and decolonization perspective. She is also the principal of Salima Samnani Law Corporation, where she practices in family law and employment law, providing legal expertise to individuals, community organizations, non-profit legal services and marginalized communities. She has served as the counsel for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and commission counsel for the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry (BC). 

Karen Tse, KC is a family lawyer, family law mediator, Legal Aid BC duty counsel and civil litigator. As the first female and IBPOC partner at Rockies Law LLP and first Asian female to serve as vice-president and president-elect of the Kootenay Bar Association, she is dedicated to promoting access to justice in rural communities and providing mentorship to the Kootenay bar. Tse was named volunteer of the year by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. Her work with the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre and Fernie Child Care Society continues to support rural families accessing child care and women and children in crisis.

Gaynor Yeung, KC is a partner at Whitelaw Twining in Vancouver, specializing in insurance law and mediation. She has appeared before all levels of BC courts and is widely respected by plaintiff and defence counsel. She is regularly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Elected a Law Society of BC Bencher in 2021, she chairs the Practice Standards Committee and serves as vice-chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, demonstrating her leadership, commitment to ethics and integrity within the legal community. Gaynor has volunteered with FACL BC in different capacities, including as a panelist in our “Life of a Bencher: A Conversation with Our Current Benchers of Asian Descent” event, as a speaker at our Membership Retreat last year, and was featured in the FACL BC Podcast.

Once again, FACL BC congratulates all of the newly appointed King’s Counsel on their well-deserved designations and thanks them for their past and ongoing contributions to the legal and wider community in British Columbia.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) congratulates Judge Aamna Afsar on her appointment to the Provincial Court of British Columbia.

Judge Afsar joined the BC Prosecution Service in 2006, served as Crown counsel in Vancouver for nearly 14 years, and worked in the Downtown Community Court for several years. In 2019, Judge Afsar joined the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) where she was an adjudicator and then a manager within the RPD’s Quality Centre. She earned the IRB’s Chairperson’s Award for her efforts to improve the adjudication of gender-related refugee claims in 2020. From 2022 to her recent appointment, she served as a judicial justice in the Provincial Court of British Columbia. 

Judge Afsar is a daughter of immigrants from Pakistan. She has been an active volunteer with organizations including the Canadian Bar Association’s mentorship program, the UBC Criminal Law Clinic, the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic and the Justice Education Society. She was also a longtime member of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

FACL BC applauds the appointment of Judge Afsar to the bench. A judiciary that reflects our province’s diversity and promotes access to justice is well-positioned to meet the needs of our community and aligns with FACL BC’s mandate of promoting equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community. We look forward to Judge Afsar’s continued contributions to the legal profession.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) is horrified and devastated by the recent incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver, B.C. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the Filipino community.

Lapu-Lapu Day is an opportunity to honour Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino national hero who is celebrated for his courage and will in the pursuit of freedom, and celebrate the history and contributions of British Columbians of Filipino heritage in our province. The Province of British Columbia declared April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023.

For this incident to occur at a celebration of this day is unimaginable and we cannot begin to express our grief and condolences for those who have been impacted. FACL BC stands by the Filipino and wider community during this difficult time and will continue to monitor this situation as it develops.

If you have been impacted by this incident, Filipino BC has listed some services here.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion. The authors and the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society do not express any opinions regarding the merits of the ongoing court proceeding discussed herein. Any statements made in this article are based on publicly available information and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or critique of any party involved in the case. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal counsel for specific advice related to the proceeding.

On April 7, 2025, five individuals, including University of British Columbia Okanagan and Vancouver professors, associate professors, and a PhD graduate (collectively, the “Petitioners”) have filed a petition (the “Petition”) seeking, inter alia, orders to prohibit and restrain the University of British Columbia (“UBC”) from engaging in ‘political activity’ under the University Act, RSBC 1996, c 468 which requires that a university be “non-sectarian and non-political in principle.” 

The Petitioners allege, among other things, that the declaration or assertion that UBC lands are on unceded Indigenous territory is “a political position or political statement,” that the use of the term “unceded” is inherently political, and that UBC’s declarations that UBC lands are unceded are “authoritatively and prescriptively political.”

The Petitioners argue that requirements for applicants and faculty members to agree with diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI” or “EDI”) beliefs and values are political in nature, as “EDI principles or values are regularly understood to include a commitment to the political value of equality of outcome (rather than equality of opportunity), and are regularly understood to entail a view of categories that are indispensable to the achievement of justice for individuals, groups and society at large.” In the words of the Petitioners, “[t]o impose EDI Hiring Requirements is to require faculty applicants to expressly commit to a set of specific political beliefs as a condition of employment.”

The values and arguments expressed in the Petition run contrary to the values and mission of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (“FACL BC”). FACL BC’s mandate is to promote equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community. As an organization, we strongly believe in the importance of acknowledging and addressing systemic inequities and supporting marginalized communities. The Petition is an attack on the progress that has been made on multiple fronts to reverse historical wrongs and address systemic issues of inequality.

FACL BC believes that acknowledging unceded Indigenous land is a key component of truth and reconciliation in Canada, recognizing Indigenous peoples, their historical and cultural ties to the land, and the impact of colonization. As in our statement on the Member Resolution 3 for the 2024 LSBC AGM, FACL BC has always and continues to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and remains committed to promoting understanding and awareness of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. A stance against acknowledging that lands, such as UBC, are located on unceded Indigenous land is dismissive of Indigenous rights and sovereignty.  

FACL BC is dedicated to promoting and protecting EDI practices, values and principles that ensure diverse representation and equitable opportunities within institutions. EDI initiatives are essential for fostering an environment that is representative and supportive of all, including historically marginalized groups such as racial minorities. EDI is central to FACL BC’s mission to advance substantive equality in the legal profession and beyond. Not only are these initiatives and values important for ensuring equity within an organization but also in addressing issues with access to justice, particularly for individuals who require representation from legal professionals with certain language and cultural competencies. EDI was developed to address systemic issues within workplaces and organizations that continue to persist to this day. Individuals continue to face barriers and unfair treatment in education, the workplace, and in society at large. Those systemic issues are far from resolved and curtailing EDI initiatives and values will reverse any progress and ground gained, particularly in the past decade.

The spirit of the Petition concerns all organizations in BC and Canada that support truth and reconciliation, Indigenous people and their rights, and EDI. FACL BC affirms its support of EDI initiatives and Indigenous land acknowledgements, and our official land acknowledgement can be found here. Given the shifting narratives on the issues in the Petition, it is more important than ever that we stand together in unity and solidarity with those who may be impacted by the relief sought in the Petition and others who have spoken out regarding the negative attention towards those issues.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC (“FACL BC”) extends its congratulations to the federal government’s new Cabinet. FACL BC is especially pleased to see the inclusion of five Ministers of pan-Asian descent, one of whom is new to Cabinet. A cabinet that reflects Canada’s diverse communities is better suited to represent the interests of all Canadians.

FACL BC welcomes the appointments of:

• the Honourable Ali Cyrus Ehsassi as Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement;

• the Honourable Anita Anand (formerly President of the Treasury Board) as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry;

• the Honourable Kamal Khera (formerly Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities) as Minister of Health;

• the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree (formerly solely Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations) as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General of Canada; and

• the Honourable Rechie Valdez (formerly Minister of Small Business) as Chief Government Whip.

Each of these Ministers brings a wealth of lived experience and community connectedness that enriches Canada’s national fabric and demonstrates that we are stronger when all voices are included at the table. 

The Honourable Ali Cyrus Ehsassi was born in Geneva, Switzerland and immigrated to Canada at the age of 15, settling down in North York, Ontario. His father was an Iranian diplomat and worked in Iran's embassy in Switzerland when he was born. Before his recent ministerial appointment, he worked as a lawyer in the private sector and as a civil servant at the provincial and federal levels. He has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the subcommittee on International Human Rights, amongst other roles.

You can also find the background and achievements of the four returning Ministers, the Honourable Anand, Khera, Anandasangaree, and Valdez, in our last statement. 

Lastly, we wish to thank the outgoing Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Arif Virani, Ya’ara Saks, Harjit Sajjan, and Mary Ng, for their public service. Our members will recall that the Honourable Virani spoke at a FACL BC Fireside Chat about diversity on the judicial bench and the need for greater representation in our courts. We are proud of their contributions to our country and communities and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) expresses its warmest congratulations to Judge Mylene de Guzman on her appointment to the British Columbia Provincial Court. Judge de Guzman is the first Filipino-Canadian appointed to the British Columbia Provincial Court, marking a historic appointment.

Born in the Philippines, Judge de Guzman immigrated to Ontario where she later earned her law degree from the University of Windsor in 1995. She has spent most of her legal career as a family lawyer in British Columbia and in 2015 became accredited as a family law mediator and arbitrator. In her commitment to access to justice, she has been involved in various initiatives including serving as a roster lawyer for Access Pro Bono and as a lecturer for legal clinics through Amici Curiae Friendship Society. Her dedication to the legal community is further reflected in her leadership roles including serving as the president of the New West Bar Association. Judge de Guzman’s ascension to the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch (“CBABC”) Board of Directors first began as its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Representative and most recently, first Vice President. Prior to her appointment to the Bench, Judge de Guzman would have been the first CBABC President of Filipino descent, and fifth CBABC President of Asian heritage. 

Days before her appointment, FACL BC had the pleasure of celebrating the Filipino Canadian legal community alongside Judge de Guzman at the inaugural Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network awards night. Over the years, Judge de Guzman has supported FACL BC as an active member, including by attending our Hometown Eats series representing the CBABC as well as our annual Gala. Judge de Guzman has also previously served as a mentor in FACL BC’s mentorship program, where FACL BC matches over 150 law students and lawyers as part of Western Canada’s largest mentorship initiative for Asian Canadian law students.

FACL BC commends the appointment of Judge de Guzman to the bench. A judiciary reflective of the province's diversity and committed to advancing access to justice is essential in addressing the needs of our community. This aligns with FACL BC's mandate of promoting equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the wider community. We look forward to Judge de Guzman's continued contributions to the legal profession.

FACL BC Contractor Posting: Executive Coordinator 

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (“FACL BC”) is looking for a highly-motivated 1L (preferred) or 2L BC law student to serve as our next Executive Coordinator, to help fulfill our mission of promoting equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the broader community. This is a one-year paid independent contractor position at a competitive hourly rate. Estimated hours range from 5 to 10 hours per week but are not guaranteed.

FACL BC is a pan-Asian organization celebrating the diversity of our Asian communities - we explicitly encourage applicants who identify as being “Asian-Canadian”, including but not limited to South Asian, West Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, or any other self-identifying Asian-Canadian law students from any BC law school (UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of Victoria, and Thompson Rivers University) to apply.

As part of our mission to continue diversifying our operations outside of the Greater Vancouver area, based on equal qualifications, preference may be given to candidates applying from the University of Victoria or Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law. 

Apply here: https://forms.gle/d1qHkW9HRtpPhRkL7

Deadline to apply: Jan 22, 2025 at 11:59PM Pacific Time.  

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so please apply early. Only qualified candidates who are shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

Term: January 2025 – January 2026

Rate: $24.00 per hour

Hours: 5-10 hours per week (estimated, not guaranteed)

Who are we?

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 broader community.  FACL BC is the largest equity-seeking bar organization in British Columbia with over 800 members across all areas of the legal profession including students, associates, partners, in-house counsel, public service, and the judiciary.   

In November 2024, we hosted our largest Gala to date featuring Lien Yeung, journalist at CBC, who spoke on the theme of Unity in Diversity. We welcomed 780 guests to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to a sold out evening, following an in-person daytime Conference featuring panelists discussing the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

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 NALP Annual Conference in Vancouver, and screened at the Law Society of BC. You may also recall learning about our documentary in school, as it is mandatory viewing for Professional Responsibility students at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Common Law),  and is recommended reading for incoming students at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law. The documentary is also recommended viewing for students enrolled in the Law Society of BC’s Professional Legal Training Course and was recently mandatory viewing for students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law. 

This past year has been exceptionally successful for FACL BC. FACL BC was selected as the recipient of the 2024 CBA Touchstone Award, which recognizes successful promotion or furthering of equality at the national level and/or a significant contribution relating to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other diversity issues in the recipient’s community. FACL BC was also selected as the recipient of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)’s Affiliate of the Year Award to recognize FACL BC for our best practices and accomplishments in their local communities over the past year.

What are we looking for?

• Current 1L (preferred) or 2L student attending the University of Victoria Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law or Peter A. Allard School of Law;
• Self-identification as Asian-Canadian preferred;
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills (verbal and written);
• Experience planning events for non-profit organizations, student clubs or similar organizations;
• Experience with platforms such as Google Drive and Zoom is an asset;
• Experience with social media platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook is an asset;
• Experience with Linktree, graphic design (Canva), and website management (Wild Apricot) is an asset;
• Willingness to learn, adapt and problem-solve;
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with other Executive Coordinators, an Associate Director, and with multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to meet tight and competing deadlines within a highly active organization; and
• Ability to work occasionally in the evenings and on weekends, as required.

The successful candidate must possess a personal laptop and a reliable Internet connection. Additional training on the software applications listed above will be provided to the successful candidate.

What are your responsibilities?

 Administrative

• Respond to director requests for assistance with events, operate Wild Apricot (our membership/website platform) or another platform, Zoom, Canva and Google Drive, and send out emails;
• Approve new membership applications, maintain an orderly archive and assist the Treasurer with financial matters on Wild Apricot;
• Contact Wild Apricot to troubleshoot issues that arise;
• Apply for CPD credits or other professional credit approvals for FACL BC’s events;
• Assist in recording board meeting minutes and/or action items, if needed;
• Attend FACL BC monthly board meetings (typically the second week of each month), Board orientation (typically in August), and the internal Board retreat (typically in March), as required; and
• Assist the Treasurer with collecting information and drafting grant applications for FACL BC.

Communications

• Review and respond to emails received in the general FACL BC inbox and forward other inquiries accordingly to the appropriate committee and director(s);
• Coordinate with the Membership Committee to draft and send out monthly email newsletters to FACL BC’s membership;
• Assist in sending out calendar invites to directors for board meetings and contractual deadlines with other third-parties;
• Assist with preparing marketing materials, including updating the FACL BC website, Instagram page, LinkedIn account, Facebook page and newsletter; and
• Report regularly to the President, Associate Director and FACL BC Executive Committee as needed.

Event Planning

• Provide logistical support for FACL BC events and initiatives including creating event pages on Wild Apricot, and Zoom and Facebook;
• Make event name tags for attendees and speakers;
• Set up and attend  virtual events, where requested;
• Assist the Secretary with updating our internal events calendar with new events and changes, if needed;
• Create and send thank you cards and arrange to deliver FACL BC merchandise to event guests and event speakers, as required; and
• Such other FACL BC-related services, and deliverables, as we may request.

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously.  For details, please see our FACL BC Privacy Policy here. 

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society is delighted to congratulate Gigi Chen-Kuo on her new position as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Law Society of British Columbia, effective January 6, 2025. Gigi Chen-Kuo's exemplary leadership and extensive experience in corporate governance and legal affairs make her an outstanding choice for this role.

Her impressive career, including her tenure as Chief Operating Officer at TransLink and various leadership roles, showcases her ability to navigate complex environments and drive meaningful change. Her contributions to various boards and her recognition in the industry reflect her dedication to the public interest and commitment to excellence. FACL BC interviewed her on our podcast last year about her career and work with Translink. Gigi is also a past guest speaker for FACL BC’s Leadership Academy and has supported our events, including the Annual Women’s Social.

FACL BC is confident that under Gigi's leadership, the Law Society will continue to thrive and advance its strategic goals. We look forward to seeing her impact and wish her every success in her new role.

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) congratulates the Honourable Niki Sharma on her recent appointment as the Deputy Premier of British Columbia. Her achievement as the first Indo-Canadian to hold this significant position marks a historic milestone and is a source of immense pride for our community.

Niki Sharma's career is a testament to her exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to public service. As the first woman of colour to serve as BC’s Attorney General, she has already broken barriers and set an inspiring precedent for future generations. Her extensive work in Aboriginal law and unwavering advocacy for social justice have been instrumental in driving meaningful change within the legal profession and beyond.

This appointment is not only a personal achievement for Ms. Sharma but also a powerful symbol of the growing diversity in leadership roles within our province. We are confident that her continued dedication will foster inclusivity and innovation in British Columbia's governance.

Congratulations to Niki Sharma on this well-deserved appointment.