Spotlight: Dave Namkung

Dave Namkung is a partner at Smith Legal Search and was one of the founding members of FACL BC.

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

My friend and I created a food stand called "The Satay Stand" and our slogan was "Grab Life by the Skewers". I also spent a summer as a door-to-door salesman. I was more adventurous during my undergraduate days!

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

I joined as we were forming the entity in BC -- I was one of the founding members.

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

So many! I really enjoyed the Chinese Dining Etiquette event, the Unconscious Bias Event, FACL Family Feasts. Too many!

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

Be present.

Spotlight: Janis Ko

Janis is a senior associate at Onyx Law Group and was a past board member.

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

I have a Bachelor of Science degree from SFU and worked in a biotech lab for four years before going to law school. In 2008, after deciding that law school probably wasn't right for me (or I wasn't cut out to be a lawyer), I took the LSAT "for fun" and applied to one law school “for fun”. Now, thirteen years later, I have no doubt in my mind that going to law school and becoming a lawyer was the best decision I ever made and I'm so grateful for everything this profession has given me.

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

I first got involved with FACL BC when Candace Cho and Serene Chow recruited me to join them as board members. I had just started articling at Onyx Law Group at the time and didn't really know anyone so it was a great opportunity to connect with some really cool people and expand my network.

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

Definitely the 2013 FACL BC Gala which featured an inspiring keynote speech by the Honourable Judge R. Patrick Chen.

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

Be yourself. You can and will succeed in this profession without conforming to society's expectations of what a lawyer should look like or act like. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

Spotlight: Tina Parbhakar

Tina Parbhakar is an associate at North Shore Law LLP and is currently volunteering in the Documentary Committee.

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

I have been learning French and Spanish for a long time. I have yet to visit Senegal or Spain, although I hoped to visit these countries by now and actually had the opportunity to go to each one for a brief period, with friends who went (but I tend to not like short visits where long distances are involved and also prioritized my school and work obligations at the time). All that to say, learning these languages will likely be a life-long effort, inclusive of any immersion experiences that happen.

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

I became involved relatively recently, in 2018, although I knew of FACL BC for some time, as it was developing. Some things that stood out for me about FACL BC were how well-organized it is and how it provides high-quality professional development that is geared towards a broadly understood Asian legal community. I appreciate and see value in supporting an affinity group that empowers its diverse members and I enjoy meeting and learning more about colleagues and their practices at FACL BC events and galas.

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

As I am actively involved in them, my two favourite initiatives are the Supportive Relationships workshop series and the But I Look Like a Lawyer documentary, which are tangible contributions to building cross-cultural understanding in the profession as well as to inclusion of individuals from different races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds in the justice system.

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

Spend time on understanding your strengths and weaknesses as well as what makes you feel content and discontent. You can investigate the complaints and worries you think about often to turn them into changes that improve your surroundings, relationships and/or abilities. Find or create spaces where approaches and ideas are discussed and collaborated upon without judgment. Be curious and don’t get too attached, just try your best and be open to all the ways things may work out.

Spotlight: May Au

May Au is legal counsel at Lululemon and was a past board member. She is currently volunteering in the Membership Committee and the In-House Committee.

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

It’s a weird quirk, but I can write like Leonardo da Vinci - backwards and in mirror image with my left hand.

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

I was very fortunate to have gotten involved with FACL BC when it started in 2011. I still remember being in one of the rooms in Allard Hall with a group of very distinguished lawyers and more senior students as a 1L in one of the first FACL BC meetings - I will never forget how impressive and how successful each of the members around the table were, but also how warm and willing they were to mentor Asian Canadian lawyers and students and to give back to the community. I believe this spirit has continued throughout and has only gotten more intense as FACL BC has grown over the years.

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

I think it is very inspiring to witness how agilely and successfully FACL has transitioned to the online space and continued to serve the greater community through our virtual events during this pandemic. I believe this is a testament to the initiative and the hard work of the FACL executives, volunteers, and members.

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

Continue to squeeze as much as you can from each lesson and don’t forget to wholeheartedly celebrate your successes - no matter how big or small!

Spotlight: Jeff Hernaez

Jeff Hernaez is a commercial litigation associate at Lawson Lundell LLP and was a past board member.

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

I don't know how to swim... tragic for living in a coastal city!

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

I started attending FACL BC events when I moved to Vancouver in 2017, as a way to meet new people. I enjoyed these events so much that I ran to become a Director-At-Large, and served in this position from 2018 to 2020.

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

I really enjoy taking part in the mentorship program and meeting law students and younger lawyers. I feel a duty to give back through mentorship after drawing on the advice of those who mentored me.

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

Enjoy the moment, and worry a little bit less. Be more fearless.

Spotlight: Jeevyn Dhaliwal, Q.C.

Jeevyn is associate counsel at Larlee Rosenberg, Barristers & Solicitors, and is a member of FACL BC.

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

I really love to bake - especially exquisite cakes and cookies. Every large celebration that we, as a family, host usually involves a specially decorated cookie for our guests to take home. My daughter and I are most proud of our mehndi inspired brightly decorated sugar cookies baked on the occasion of one of my big birthdays!

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

It was through my work as past president and board member with the South Asian Bar Association of British Columbia that I first became aware of FACL BC. I was looking for opportunities for our organizations to collaborate, as I believe we have so much in common and even more to share. At that time, FACL was just beginning its ascent in BC and I had hoped to support its efforts in any way I could.

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

There have been so many inspirational events that I have been fortunate to attend but the FACL BC Family Feast 2017 stands out in my mind. I was delighted to have been asked to share the story of my career journey in such an intimate and respectful setting, where meaningful conversations were had and lasting connections were made.

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

I realize that with the benefit of hindsight, having seen how things have turned out positively, it is perhaps easier to be more bold in one’s advice. Although I am not sure I would have had the time to do more than I did, I would encourage my younger self to “Pursue every opportunity. Far too often, we let negative thoughts hold us back from achieving our full potential. Know that if you have come this far, you are eminently capable and have much to contribute.”

Spotlight: Kristian Arciaga

Kristian Arciaga is a commercial real estate associate at Fasken and was a past board member.

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

I am an avid fan of professional sports teams that let me down every year.

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

I was a Director of FACL BC from 2016 to 2018. I wanted to be a part of FACL BC after I moved back to Vancouver from law school (University of Ottawa), where I was Co-President of the Asian Law Students Society and also was a member of FACL Ontario.

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

I have always enjoyed the annual FACL Galas. They're well planned and give the opportunity to network and reconnect with colleagues in the Vancouver market.

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

Enjoy the process as much as you can, whether it's undergrad, law school, or articling. Time moves a lot quicker than you think.

Spotlight: Sena Byun

Sena Byun is senior counsel at TELUS and was a past board member.

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

One of my early co-op experiences in law school was as an immigration detention hearings officer!

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

I was a member of the Board from 2016-2019 and served on the Mentorship Committee.

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

My favourite events are the mentorship events and I personally found the career roundtables very insightful and I especially loved meeting with lawyers and students of all backgrounds. However, I think all of FACL's recent initiatives have been great, and despite not being able to meet in person due to COVID, the shift that FACL has made to online events has been amazing, the quality and depth of topics has been stellar and I think this virtual setting has allowed everyone to actually "meet" more frequently.

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

You never know what you are capable of if you do not try. Don't be afraid to jump in, sometimes head first, and try not to overthink everything!

Spotlight: Victor V. Ramraj

Victor is a law professor at the University of Victoria and the Director of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives. He is a member of FACL BC. 

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

My parents migrated to Canada from the Caribbean in the mid-1960s. I was born in Fredericton and grew up in Calgary. My personal connection to Asia is that I spent 16 years at the National University of Singapore from 1998-2014 before returning to Canada.

I also recently edited a book, Covid-19 in Asia: Law and Policy Contexts, consisting of 30 chapters by 61 contributors, published by Oxford University Press in December 2020. 

(The book can be found here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/covid-19-in-asia-9780197553831?cc=us&lang=en&#)

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

I attended the FACL BC gala dinner as a member of UVic's Faculty of Law.

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

I've been especially impressed with FACL's advocacy work.

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

Learn more Asian languages.

Spotlight: Serene Chow

Serene Chow is a lawyer at Boughton Law and was one of the founders of FACL BC.

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

I have been on a flying trapeze!

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

Annual FACL BC Gala

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

I would continually keep an open mind for opportunities and be confident in my abilities.