FACL BC

In this episode, Xue Zhang and Baron Hsueh speak with Karen Claus, an accomplished technology lawyer and principal of Karen Claus Law Corporation.Our conversation centres on Karen’s storied legal career - having worked as a litigator and now a solicitor, and having gained experience in private practice, in-house, and now as a solo practitioner. Karen shares the processes and approaches she took when transitioning between roles and specialties, and how she ultimately found her affinity in technology law. Finally, she reflects on the importance of staying true to your identity and values throughout your legal career, and how this approach has guided her in pursuing the best opportunities at every stage of her journey.Editors: Rosie Hsueh and Xue Zhang

This episode is an edited live recording of the FACL BC event moderated by Char Sandher, the Director & Group Lead of Healthcare & Professional Banking for Western Canada at Scotiabank, on April 2, 2025. In this episode, we speak with Alex Wilson, George Zhang, and Sean Akeroyd (MNP) who are experienced with financial solutions and strategies, to arm lawyers and law students with the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions for their financial plans and careers. We explored debt management strategies and practice considerations, as well as the importance and key aspects of a holistic financial plan. The goal of this event is to assist lawyers in their planning and decision-making process, arming them with tools, action items and financial confidence so they can focus on their clients and growing their careers.We thank Scotiabank for being our Exclusive Financial Partner for 2024-2025.Participation in this FACL BC/Scotiabank session or in any Scotiabank program-related events does not constitute advice or an offer or commitment by Scotiabank to provide any financial products or services. The contents of this material are for informational purposes only and you should seek customized advice and solutions. Neither Scotiabank, the participants nor any of its officers, directors, partners, employees or affiliates accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this material or its contents.Editors: Richard Wong, Baron Hsueh and Xue Zhang

In this episode, Fiona Wong and Abby Pang speak with Gloria Ng, a criminal defence lawyer and co-founder of Platform Litigation.In this enlightening discussion of a criminal defence practice, Gloria offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the dynamic, fast-paced, and meaningful work she does as a criminal defence lawyer. When it comes to the often unique needs of her clients, Gloria also recounts interesting experiences which exemplify the need to be flexible and creative as a successful criminal defence practitioner.As the co-founder of her own practice, Gloria also shares her thoughts on how to foster a sustainable and satisfying law firm environment, and the ways in which Platform Litigation has strived to create a healthy and supportive culture for both lawyers and clients alike, especially when it comes to promoting equity and diversity in the office and legal industry generally.Editors: Xue Zhang and Baron Hsueh

In this episode, co-hosts Xue Zhang and Becca Liu welcome Douglas Chiu, a partner at Hammerco Lawyers LLP and a distinguished litigator with nearly two decades of experience in complex financial disputes. Recently recognized by Best Lawyers for his work in personal injury litigation, Douglas brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation. He shares his journey in law, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities he has encountered as an Asian leader in the legal community. He discusses how his cultural background shapes his litigation practice and his approach to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within law firms. Douglas also explores the impact of EDI policies on leadership and the legal profession.Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on law, diversity, and leadership.Editors: Gaurav Deep Singh and Xue Zhang

In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Mui, Assistant Dean of the Career Services Office at Allard Law, about navigating student recruitment. Stephanie shares her career journey, offering essential tips on crafting standout applications, effective networking, and interview preparation. We also discuss post-COVID-19 changes in recruitment and address common misconceptions law students have. Stephanie provides tailored advice for Asian Canadian students on leveraging their unique backgrounds in the recruitment process. Whether you are preparing for OCIs, articling, or early in your legal career, Stephanie's wisdom will guide you through the challenges and help you put your best foot forward.

Join us as we uncover essential insights with Lucy Schilling, partner and Vice Office Managing Partner at Cozen O’Connor’s Vancouver office. Lucy shares perspectives on understanding law as a business, empowering junior associates to take initiative and become indispensable team members, and effective strategies for standing out. Additionally, Lucy explores the importance of networking and business development, offering practical advice to build a strong professional network right from the start. Don’t miss this lively and inspiring conversation packed with actionable advice to help junior lawyers shine and leave a lasting impact! We extend our gratitude to Cozen O'Connor for their sponsorship of this episode. 

This episode is an edited live recording of the FACL BC event moderated by Jennine Punzalen, FACL BC VP Internal, on November 29th 2023. In this episode, we speak with Stephen Hsia, Christine Yan, Brian Reigh, and Mark Iyengar on their judicial clerkship experiences ranging from the Federal Court, provincial trial and appeal courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada. In their discussion, our panelists discuss the substantive differences between clerking at each court, and share insights on their experiences of diversity and inclusion within their cohorts and with their respective judges. They address challenges related to diversity in the judiciary, discuss how clerkships benefit future legal careers, and highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in the courtroom. They offer advice for students applying for clerkships, with a focus on fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession. Editors: Michael Xu and Baron Hsueh, and reviewed by Xue Zhang

This episode is an edited live recording of the FACL BC event moderated by Mark Leung, FACL BC In-House Committee Chair, on November 27, 2023. In this episode, Alex Su delves into the impact of his Asian-American background on his career path in law and shares his unique journey from being a lawyer in private practice, to a salesperson in legal tech, and now as an internet celebrity. Alex shares the influence of his multicultural upbringing on his life-long journey in the legal industry, and reflects on those transitional moments when he allowed himself to pivot to different legal roles. Alex also answers questions from our audience on topics ranging from navigating discussions of EDI in a private practice environment to the future impact of legal technology on the business and practice of law.  Please note that since the recording of this episode, Alex Su has transitioned into the role of Chief Revenue Officer of Latitude Legal. Editors: Baron Hsueh and Jenny Huang

In this episode, we dive into Cheryl D'Sa, KC's remarkable journey through the legal landscape. From her beginnings in the accounting department of a law firm during undergrad to her current role as managing partner at Narwal Litigation LLP, Cheryl's career trajectory is truly impressive. Beyond her professional accolades, Cheryl is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal field. Her leadership as an elected Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia since 2020 and former chair of the LSBC’s EDI Committee, among her work on other committees and task forces, underscores her commitment to creating a more equitable profession. Cheryl was also the first visible minority female president of the Vancouver Bar Association and is one of FACL BC's advisory directors. Throughout our candid conversation, Cheryl opens up about her experiences as a woman in law and the challenges she faced along the way. She shares her insights on mentorship, highlighting the importance of fostering genuine connections and candid sharing, much like cultivating a friendship. In 2023 Cheryl won the Debra Van Ginkel, QC Award for mentoring by the Women Lawyers Forum of the CBABC and has also been a mentor for FACL BC. Cheryl closes this episode with powerful insights on fostering inclusivity, finding peace in others, and being an ally for women and racial minorities in the legal industry.

In this episode, James Hsu unveils his unique career journey - transitioning from a litigator to employment lawyer to in-house legal counsel before finding his calling back in private practice as an employment and human rights lawyer at PortaLaw. James also shares his reflections from a nine-month long break between positions. Having gained valuable insights into maintaining personal autonomy, life satisfaction, and identity, James speaks on the importance of taking a break, understanding the meaning behind your career goals, and "throwing your own party". In this candid conversation, James delves into his reset and pivot into employment law, emphasizing guiding principles like helpfulness, honesty, and a human approach, with the unique addition of "happiness." James concludes the episode with valuable advice for lawyers navigating their own career transitions and finding their place in the legal industry. Please note the following changes since our interview with James: There are now 6 members on the PortaLaw Team. PortaLaw’s guest Ukrainian lawyer has since moved on from his temporary role at PortaLaw to a permanent role in another organization.

In this episode, we chat with James Chen, an accomplished legal professional who's paved a unique career path. As the founder of CMJC Law, James spent over a decade in big firms, specializing in corporate and securities law, before transitioning to an in-house role at a large company, where he drove transformative growth initiatives. In 2016, he took the leap to establish his own practice, CMJC Law, offering legal, strategic, and business advice. James shares insights from his journey, highlighting the importance of a supportive legal network and lessons learned from his varied experiences. Join us for a fresh perspective from James, a seasoned legal professional who has truly seen it all!

In this podcast mini-series, join Brian Cheng for a captivating conversation with Chilwin Cheng, a seasoned business litigator specializing in complex commercial litigation and regulatory and white-collar defence. As the principal of Ascendion Law, Chilwin shares insights into his career journey, the changing landscape of diversity, the significance of mentorship, and his distinct perspective on work-life balance. Together, we'll explore the legal profession, gaining unique insights into Chilwin's exceptional experiences and the challenges he's navigated as an Asian lawyer finding success.

In this episode, we sit down with Gigi Chen-Kuo, TransLink's Chief Operating Officer, as she discusses her 30-year career that fuses law and public transportation. From her favorite TransLink route to her transition from law to an in-house role, Gigi shares insights on her unique position, daily challenges, and defining moments. Get a glimpse into her historic role as the first Asian heritage person to lead TransLink, her involvement in EDI initiatives, and practical advice for balancing legal work with non-legal roles. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Gigi's experiences at the intersection of leadership, law, and public service.

This is the first episode of FACL BC's new Corporate Lawyer Series. In this episode, we invite Julia Winters, a partner in Lawson’s Asia Pacific Group focusing on corporate/commercial and real estate law and the Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Lawson Lundell. Julia shares her journey towards a corporate and real estate practice, her experience interacting specifically with Asian or Chinese clients, and her efforts in promoting EDI. She shares her views on how EDI may be improved in the legal profession. Whether you are a law student interested in solicitor’s work, an associate practising corporate/commercial or real estate law, or an associate considering the partner track, you can benefit from the practical advice that Julia candidly offers. Bonus: you will learn about Julia’s passion beyond practising the law and her vegetable garden. 

In this episode, we sit down with Sameer Kamboj, a litigator and new shareholder at Owen Bird. Sameer takes us on a journey through his path to law and shares his insights on the keys to success in becoming a shareholder or partner in a law firm. But that's not all. Sameer also provides invaluable advice to law students and associates, offering practical tips to help them thrive in the legal profession. And as a bonus, Sameer also opens up about his personal life and shares with us the journey of finding love while in law school. Spoiler Alert: during the recording of this episode, Sameer revealed that his partner is actually one of our previous podcast guests. Who could it be? Listen in to find out!

Late in 2022, FACL BC’s Vice Presidents, Jim Wu and Fiona Wong, sat down with Justice Randall Wong to reflect on his path to becoming a lawyer, and his distinguished career as a member of the judiciary. In this episode, Justice Wong recounts the significance of Vancouver’s historical buildings, legal landscape, and key figures who served as mentors to him over the decades. He shares with us the important phone calls he received which changed his career, his journey working in Yukon, serving on the executive of the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges, the significance of his swearing-in ceremony when he was appointed as a federal judge, and the “bathtub effect” as a trial judge. Justice Wong emphasizes the importance of learning by doing (much like osmosis), provides mentorship to junior and young lawyers, and encourages young people, especially women, to consider positions in government as well as judiciary positions. Justice Randall Wong was a trailblazer and an integral part to Asian-Canadian history in Canada. He was: the first Chinese Canadian law graduate to article outside of Chinatown; first Chinese Canadian Crown Counsel, both federally and provincially; the first Chinese Canadian lawyer to appear before the Supreme Court of Canada; the first Chinese Canadian judge to decide on a Charter issue (section 24(2)); the first federally appointed judge of Chinese descent; and the first Chief Crown attorney in Whitehorse, Yukon, among other achievements. After 42 years of service and now colloquially known as a “judicial dinosaur”, but more accurately as a pioneer of Canadian law, Justice Wong shares his post-retirement plans since 2016, which includes serving on the board of the Chinese Canadian Museum (opening July 1, 2023), and acting as President of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum. Justice Wong also wishes to invite FACL BC's membership to read his article here: https://www.scribd.com/article/453439842/Reflections-By-A-Judicial-Dinosaur-On-50-Years-In-The-Law

In this episode, we invite lawyer and life coach, Angela Han from the US, to share briefly about her own journey with mental health, how she helps others through her career, and her thoughts on being a minority in the legal field. Angela paves the way for Asian lawyers, particularly Asian women, to turn our so-called “weaknesses” into “fuel” for our journeys. She reminds us that it's okay to be imperfect, and that perception is key to any situation we are in. Listen to Angela's own podcast here: https://www.angela-han.com/

In this episode, Impact Recruitment's Steve Dorling and Olivia Truong explain to FACL BC's members and the legal community at large on what it means to work with skilled recruiters. They answer all of our questions, from how to work with a recruiter, whether it's a free service, what to submit in your application materials, the average pay range in the US, to being transparent about the difficulties of transitioning back from US legal practice and in-house practice. Is the grass greener on the other side? Only one way to find out! If you are considering pursuing a career in the US with a Canadian law background, or want to consider a lateral transfer to a local firm in Vancouver, or other firm across Canada, do not hesitate to contact Impact Recruitment and reach out on their social media: Website: http://www.impactrecruitment.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactRecruitment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactrecruitment/ Twitter: @jobswithimpact LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impact-recruitment-north-america/about/

Our host May Au, in-house counsel at Lululemon, sits down with Jaclyn Leong, Senior Legal Counsel at Aritzia for this episode (recorded in April 2022). Aside from raving about the delicious fried chicken wings at Phnom Penh in Vancouver's Chinatown, and recommending her favourite pieces from the fashion boutique, Jaclyn shares with us her decision to transition from a legal career in private practice, to in-house at Telus, a major Canadian telecommunications company, to now in-house leading the employment portfolio for one of Vancouver's most successful clothing brands in North America. With over 100 stores across Canada and the US, Jaclyn offers practical tips and advice on how in-house counsel can navigate the fashion industry in multiple jurisdictions. In doing so, she speaks from both a legal and business perspective, and shares with us on how that can be achieved during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest host Chilwin Cheng sits down with Kevin Loo, QC one year later to discuss his Queen's Counsel appointment in 2021. In this episode, Kevin shares with us his thoughts on becoming Queen's Counsel, and family history, including how his great uncle, Andrew Joe, was the first Chinese Canadian to be admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1953. Kevin also discusses briefly his Uncle Andrew's advocacy efforts on behalf of Asian Canadians in Chinatown, where among many things, he fought for the right for local butchers to hang char siu on its store front windows. See the full list of Queen's Counsel appointments here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AG0179-002301 Read more about Kevin's uncle, Andrew Joe here: https://historyproject.allard.ubc.ca/law-history-project/profile/andrew-joe