Spotlight: Joseph Cuenca

Joseph is a partner and litigator at Cohen Buchan Edwards LLP.

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

I speak Swiss-German fluently.

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

In or around 2016 when I was volunteering with CBA's Equality & Diversity Committee, I learned about FACL BC and signed up as a member.

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

The Annual Gala/Conference has always been well organized and well attended. I enjoyed attending them for a great mix of socialising and education.

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

Always put in the hard work. Intelligence is meaningless without diligence. Above all, integrity is crucial.

Spotlight: Jayde Wood

This month’s second spotlight is Jayde Wood. Jayde is a lawyer at Gowling WLG and a current FACL BC member.

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

School can be daunting and stressful. Many people may not know or believe me when I say that I really enjoyed my experience in university. So much so, that after spending a few years in private practice, I happily went back to the classroom to complete an LLM degree from UC Berkeley.

2. How did you first get involved with FACL?

My first encounter with FACL BC was when I attended the 2013 Gala featuring Judge Chen as the keynote speaker. Judge Chen’s speech was engaging, inspirational, and humorous. Later, when I clerked at the Provincial Courts, I had the privilege to work with him and having remembered parts of his keynote speech (especially the part about strollers) helped me to break the ice and form a connection. A few years later, I joined FACL BC in a more formal position as Gala Chair and a board member.

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

I find that progress through education is largely linear. For example, from kindergarten to 12th grade to university, from 1L to OCI to articling to hire-backs, it seems that everyone is climbing some sort of a (linear) ladder. Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis’ “The Squiggly Career” is a great read and suggests that career progress may not be linear or straightforward. I wholeheartedly agree. If I were to go back in time, I would tell Jayde 1.0 to embrace the journey of self-discovery and that there is more than one path to achieve one’s goals.

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

FACL BC has had many great events and initiatives. Through these events and initiatives, FACL BC has cultivated a tight-knit community where we lift each other up (e.g. through events organized by the Mentorship Committee) and celebrate our collective accomplishments (e.g. through the Annual Gala). I particularly appreciate that FACL BC has established a platform and gained recognition as an effective advocate to advance equity and diversity issues. One such example is the Advocacy Committee’s “But I Look Like a Lawyer” Documentary Project.

Spotlight: Winston Sayson, Q.C.

This month’s first spotlight is Winston Sayson, Q.C. Winston was a trial Crown counsel at the BC Prosecution Service before his retirement. He is a current FACL BC member.

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

I enjoy Filipino Martial Arts. Arnis sticks, knives, and sharp-edged weapons thrill me! :-)

2. How did you first get involved with FACL?

I recall joining the first FACL BC dinner when Judge Maryka Omatsu spoke to our new group. This eventually led to me being the speaker for FACL's third annual gala in 2014.

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

I would be kinder to myself and look after my mental health. I would learn to stop working non-stop and find a better work-life balance.

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

The annual galas of FACL BC are my favourite events. I think the mini-documentary, "But I Look Like a Lawyer", is one of the most impactful and significant initiatives of FACL BC.

Spotlight: Stephanie Wong

Stephanie is an associate at Lawson Lundell LLP.  

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

I'm an open book so there's not a lot that people don't know about me, but I think the most important thing to know is I believe Halloween is the best day of the year and I love my cats to an unhealthy degree.

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

I’ve been a member since its early days, since Serene Chow, a mentor, was President!

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

I love the FACL Galas! FACL does such a great job with their keynote speakers and it's a great place to see a lot of my favourite people!

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

If I were to go back in time, I think I'd tell myself that it all shakes out in the end. There's no right answer to life so just do the right-est thing.

Spotlight: Ellen S. Hong

Ellen is a partner and litigator at Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation.  

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

I raised funds for an overseas development project by hosting a 24-hr Rock-A-Thon where I rocked on a rocking chair for 24 hours in a cafe in Montreal. Ultimately, I raised enough funds to go to Ghana for 7 weeks.

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

I joined as a member several years ago. I have volunteered as a mentor.

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

The premiere of the "But I Look Like a Lawyer" documentary.

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

You don't always have to be conciliatory or smooth over ruffled feathers.

Spotlight: Dr. Ruby Dhand

This month’s second spotlight is Dr. Ruby Dhand.Ruby is an Associate Professor at the TRU Faculty of Law and a current FACL BC member.

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

I played high school basketball. 

2. How did you first get involved with FACL? 

I first became involved with FACL as a member and I learned so much attending a number of really interesting events about EDI in the legal profession. I was also excited and honoured to support FACL as the Area Representative for Kamloops, BC. 

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

I would have advised myself that "what matters most is how you see yourself."  

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

My favourite FACL event was the "BIPOC Women in Law: Navigating Race, Gender and Equity in the Profession." This event featured lawyers who highlighted the impact of racial, gender-based and intersectional barriers to equity in the legal profession. It was inspiring to hear what practical strategies and resilience tools lawyers can use to navigate systemic barriers and advance equity in the legal profession.

Spotlight: Baljinder Kaur Girn

Baljinder is Senior Crown Counsel at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and a current FACL BC member.

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

My backup plan if I was not accepted to law school was to go to France to train as a chef.

2. How did you first get involved with FACL? 

I have followed FACL BC on social media platforms for a number of years. However, I first became involved when I was asked to participate as a panelist for the launch of the documentary "But I Look Like a Lawyer." I was very honored to participate.

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

Get involved early on in your career with organizations that promote diversity and inclusion and don't be afraid to share your lived experiences to highlight inequities in the legal profession.

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

The documentary launch has definitely been my favourite event.

Spotlight: Jessica Y. Lo

Jessica, a former Board member, is a lawyer and Estate Planning Manager at Solus Trust Company Limited.

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

Some know that I enjoy gardening, but the truth is that I'm actually probably closer to a crazy plant lady! I have a collection of over 200 plants at home, love the science behind how they grow and propagate, and have previously earned blue ribbons at plant shows.

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

As a member, I was thankful to have received a lot of encouragement through connecting with other Asian lawyers. Wei William Tao then asked me to join the mentorship committee to help facilitate more of those interactions, so naturally, I said yes! Who knew that it would then lead to getting further involved as a Board member, to eventually co-chairing the mentorship committee, serving as Vice-President (Internal) and then as the National Rep. Now I'm just glad that new boards have since taken over, daring to dream bigger and continuing to grow FACL BC to what it is today!

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

It's so hard to choose! I've enjoyed them all: from the family feasts and the galas, to all the mentorship socials and various talks over the years. The Asian dining etiquette event was especially fun and memorable though!

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

Don't overthink things and hold yourself back; it's okay to sit at the proverbial table, ask questions, contribute ideas, and take up your deserved time and space! Also know that finding your path is a continuous process. Expect to recalibrate often and make the necessary course corrections along the way.

Spotlight: Victoria Wu

Victoria Wu is Corporate Counsel at WorkSafeBC.

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

I am an avid volleyball player. The only times that I have stopped playing volleyball are during pregnancies and COVID. Team sports have taught me great life lessons and shaped me into who I am today.

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

I heard about FACL BC when I first came back to BC to requalify as a lawyer from Hong Kong. I was encouraged by a colleague who was a Board member at the time to volunteer and get involved with FACL BC to raise awareness and provide a voice for the Asian Canadian legal professionals. I then served on the Board for two years from 2018 to 2020.

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

It is hard to pinpoint one favourite event or initiative, as I enjoy all of them. I like to highlight that the mentorship program provides a great platform for law students and junior lawyers to receive mentorship from experienced lawyers who have been through the same walk as an Asian Canadian lawyer in the legal industry. I have received very positive feedbacks from the mentees that the mentorship program has provided them with tremendous support in navigating through the early days in the legal industry.

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

Be perseverant. Trials in life give us opportunities to grow and build character as we overcome them. The achievements today are the fruits from the trials we have endured with perseverance and determination.

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• 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.