FACL BC

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. 

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:

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:

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