Spotlight: Linda G. Yang
This month’s second spotlight is Linda G. Yang. Linda is an associate at Fulton and Company Law Corporation. She is a current FACL BC mentor and past board member.
1. What is something not many people know about you?
Prior to joining Fulton, I spent 2 years in Cebu, Philippines as a legal fellow for an NGO called International Justice Mission. I worked with the local legal team to advise police and prosecutors on how to investigate and prosecute cases of online sexual exploitation of children. It was a transformative experience. Also, I was born in Lanzhou, China, home of the hand-pulled noodle. So I think I'm pretty snooty about noodle dishes in general.
2. How did you first get involved with FACL?
When I was a 2L at Dalhousie, and one of literally five Asian students in my class, I attended the Asian-Canadian Law Students Conference in Toronto jointly hosted by Osgoode's and U of T's various Asian student societies. I was shocked at first and then thrilled to see so many Asian law students in one place! FACL Ontario was a sponsor at that event. I was inspired on my return to Halifax to start the FACL Atlantic chapter with the handful of Asian students at Dal. At our launch event in 2014, our keynote speakers were the Honourable Madam Justice Linda Lee Oland of the NSCA (as she then was), the first judge of Asian descent on the appellate bench, and Ms. Lena Metlege Diab, MLA (now MP), Nova Scotia's first female Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Having these two pioneering women throw their support behind FACL was really memorable.
On my return to Vancouver for articles, I knew I wanted to stay involved, knowing what it was like to be without a community like FACL during law school. Eventually, I joined the Board as a member-at-large for a term.
3. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?
Change the negative narratives I had about my abilities. It definitely would have saved me a lot of stress and anxiety. Also, ask for help more readily and not let ego get in the way of doing that. Finally, take mental well-being seriously. Struggling alone is not heroic.
4. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?
The annual gala is a chance to see our legal community together in one place (or on one screen!) and listen to the advice and experiences of a seasoned member of our profession. I think there's real power to that experience and always leaves me with a sense of belonging and confidence. I look forward to seeing everyone in person again in the future! I'm also super impressed by the Board's advocacy efforts in recent years. I am VERY excited about the FACL BC documentary.
