May Spotlight: Chilwin Chienhan Cheng

1. Current place of work/title?

Ascendion Law

2. How did you first get involved with FACL BC?

Serene Chow asked me to participate as a speaker and mentor at a FACL conference. My involvement with FACL-BC ramped up significantly when Fiona Wong asked me to co-produce and host a mini-series on the FACL-BC podcast featuring prominent Asian litigators. 

3. What has been your favourite FACL event or initiative so far?

The FACL-BC podcast as a host and as a guest, and the 2024 gala dinner. It was so much fun meeting so many trailblazers and people I admire in the profession.

4. What advice would you give yourself if you were to go back in time?

The advice that senior lawyers are trying to tell you: that courtesy, civility, candour, honour, and professionalism really do matter the most in the long run - is true. After over twenty-five years of practice, it's become apparent to me that my reputation is the only asset that I have. When I was younger, it felt like my best assets were my smarts, knowledge of the law, and my work ethic.  But now, I've realized that my ability to pick up the phone and talk to other counsel to work something out, to talk out a problem, or learn something new, has proven to be my most valuable asset. Building collegial relationships takes time, patience, humility, and consistently treating everyone as I wish to be treated.

5. What is something that not many people know about you?

I am a registered athlete with Boxing BC and actively train to fight in matches. I have five sanctioned fights under my belt and several sanctioned and unsanctioned exhibition matches. Oh, and I love dogs, miniature schnauzers especially.