To promote equality, diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession and the justice system
To improve and promote the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession
To provide opportunities for members to connect and contribute to the legal community
To represent the legal profession provincially, nationally and internationally
To promote the interests of the members of the CBA
Membership is what you make it
A Message from our President
As CBABC members, we can actively take action that makes a difference in our profession and our communities.
This year, we delivered our top advocacy recommendations to the B.C. government. Agenda for Justice 2025 extends an invitation to collaborate on policy and discuss investments that can strengthen our legal and justice systems. We immediately received positive feedback during meetings with MLAs and the Attorney General, and we further advocated for critical funding in the B.C. Budget 2026 consultations.
Our recommendations in Agenda for Justice 2025, along with our submissions on Wi-Fi in courthouses and enhancing the Early Resolution Process, are possible because of the dedication of lawyers who use their membership to contribute expertise and advocate for a fairer, more equitable and more accessible justice system.
Throughout my term as President, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with members across the province to hear what matters most to you. We’ve launched a more user-friendly website to connect you with all CBABC offers, from mentorship opportunities and Practice Coaches to events and CPD. We transitioned BarTalk to a fully digital format to make your expertise easily accessible online.
While lawyers face increasing threats to our independence, CBABC gives us the opportunity to be bold and to stand up for our principles. This year, CBABC spoke out in defense of judicial independence and kept members informed on our intervention in constitutional challenges to the Legal Professions Act We also advanced critical work on reconciliation, improving mental wellness in the profession, and equity, diversity and inclusion.
It has been an honour to represent our profession over the past year, and to do so as the first transgender and nonbinary person leading our association. I hope I have made a meaningful difference and helped our profession reflect and empower more of the full diversity of our identities and experiences.
CBABC brings the profession together—where you can learn, connect with colleagues and advocate for a strong justice system. Your membership is what you make it.
Lee Nevens CBABC President 2024/25
Collective voice of the profession
As the voice of British Columbia’s lawyers, CBABC champions law and policy reform to address issues that matter to our members—access to justice, judicial independence and the modernization of our courts.
Over the past year, CBABC delivered seven submissions, pressing government and the courts for tangible improvements. These included calls for:
• Reliable, secure Wi-Fi in courthouses to prevent delays and support the judicial process
• Expansion and increased fairness of the Early Resolution Process in Provincial Court
• Trans-inclusive, gender-neutral and accessible washrooms in all courthouses
• Reinstatement of default case management of class actions in the Supreme Court
We are proud of the progress made, including increased judicial appointments across our courts, the launch of new Indigenous Justice Centres and growing momentum around digitizing court services.
Agenda for Justice 2025
In the wake of the provincial election, CBABC is committed to working with the new government to solve pressing challenges and improve the everyday lives of British Columbians. In January, CBABC released Agenda for Justice 2025, a platform of more than 30 recommendations to improve accessible, equitable and fair legal and justice systems for everyone in B.C. The document directly responds to today’s most urgent public concerns: the cost-of-living crisis, rising safety issues and increased discrimination against marginalized groups.
To meet this moment, our recommendations are organized around three priorities:
• Making justice affordable – Ensures that no one chooses between financial security and having a fair chance to solve their legal problems.
• Reaching equal justice for everyone – Identifies solutions to the disproportionate harms experienced by Indigenous, racialized and other marginalized communities.
• Restoring public confidence – Highlights the need to strengthen trust in a justice system that helps British Columbians resolve disputes and secure fair outcomes.
CBABC has since met with the media and key government officials, including the Attorney General, who expressed a willingness to collaborate despite challenging budget constraints. This is the strongest engagement with Agenda for Justice that we’ve seen since its launch in 2014.
Defending Judicial Independence
When judicial independence was publicly undermined this year — whether through a politician’s public remarks ahead of a trial, or comments dismissing it as “a joke” — CBABC and CBA leadership responded swiftly.
The CBA issued public statements affirming the importance of impartial legal processes and judicial decisions free from political and public pressure. We are vigilant in defending the foundational role of judicial independence in a functioning democracy and helping educate the public on why this principle protects everyone’s rights.
Court Modernization
CBABC continued our multi-year push for better court infrastructure and digital access to improve the efficiency of our courts. In June, we appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services to recommend critical investments in implementing the Court Digital Transformation Strategy, an initiative of B.C.’s courts and the Ministry of Attorney General. Our submission emphasized how outdated systems lead to inefficiencies, delays and barriers to justice, especially for people in rural and remote communities.
We urged investment in Indigenous Courts and the expansion of the Early Resolution Process across the province. And we delivered specific recommendations to the Ministry of Attorney General and the Provincial Court of BC to improve the fairness and consistency of the ERP across registries, as well.
Lastly, CBABC emphasized that physical courthouse infrastructure directly affects the delivery of justice. We called for reliable, secure Wi-Fi to prevent disruptions and delays in legal proceedings, and for trans-inclusive, gender-neutral and accessible washrooms to ensure all users are treated with dignity and respect.
Building knowledge & connection
Designed for lawyers by lawyers, CBABC’s professional development programs and networking events bring members across B.C. together to draw on shared expertise and build lasting connections.
New in Sections
Driven by member interest, two new Sections were created in July. Fertility Law explores the complex interdisciplinary legal framework affecting families accessing reproductive technology. Mergers & Acquisitions connects lawyers interested in the legal and strategic aspects of deal structures, regulatory changes and market developments in corporate M&A.
The Vancouver and Vancouver Island Civil Litigation Sections merged into one Section, as did the Commercial Real Estate — Okanagan and Real Property Sections. These mergers ensure better use of volunteer time to develop programs and support Section members across B.C.
The Internationally Trained Lawyers Section completed its first full year with over 130 lawyers enrolling to connect with peers and share advice on how to adapt to the B.C. legal landscape.
Sections
& PD by the numbers
283 CPD Programs
357 CPD Hours
92% of CPD programs held online
With BarTalk upgrading to a fully digital format, the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum’s Forum Drum and the Women Lawyers Forum’s Connecting Women Lawyers found a new home on BarTalk.org. This change allows these Sections to spread news to the broader legal community in addition to their enrolled members.
New in PD
PD Showcase launched in November. This seasonal collection of rebroadcasts, featuring CBABC’s top professional development programs, provided more opportunities for lawyers to complete their CPD credits throughout the year. Over 70 programs and nearly 100 hours of CPD were offered across the winter, spring and summer showcases, attracting over 1,000 registrants.
Fueled by CBABC’s Mental Wellness Task Force, CBABC developed a new webinar series called Mind Matters. Held during Mental Health Week in May, this series helped over 150 attendees learn strategies to maintain their mental wellness, encouraged open communication about their struggles, and demonstrated CBABC’s commitment to improving well-being in the profession.
Thought-Provoking Conferences
CBABC’s conference program continues to bring lawyers across B.C. together in-person to network and learn from experts.
Nearly 100 lawyers attended the timely conference, Navigating the Court of Public Opinion, to examine lawyer independence and public confidence in the legal system.
Privacy Law 2025 hosted the Deputy Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C., with critical discussions on privacy risks, rights and regulations.
Government Law & Practice 2025 and Family Law 2025, as well as the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum Retreat 2025, all delivered high value programming and connection for attendees.
Special Events
After hearing that members want increased opportunities to connect in-person, CBABC offered more networking events than ever in 2024/25.
486 Speakers
72 Networking Events Sections & PD by the numbers
13,811 Attendees
In collaboration with the courts and other organizations, CBABC welcomed Chief Justice Wagner, Justices Karakatsanis and Kasirer, and 180 attendees to the Supreme Court of Canada’s 150th Anniversary Bench & Bar Dinner. Nearly doubling last year’s turnout, the Bench and Bar Vancouver Dinner set a record with 315 attendees, including 37 judges.
Premier David Eby surprised students from 19 schools across B.C. as a judge of the annual Barry Sullivan Law Cup, alongside retired Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson.
The bi-annual Women Lawyers Forum Awards Gala returned in April, with 162 attendees hearing from the Honourable Marion Buller, the first woman First Nations Judge in B.C.
Deepening our Reconciliation work
The CBABC Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on cultural awareness, support for Indigenous lawyers, policy reform and reflecting Reconciliation in our governance.
Taking the Lead
Teri-Ann Zanatta (Dakelh Nation) joined CBABC as our Reconciliation Programs Manager in April to guide the development of programs and policies that advance our Reconciliation Action Plan. She built relationships with the CBABC Truth & Reconciliation Committee and Aboriginal Lawyers Forum along with our Board and staff.
As a direct result of her contributions, CBABC created a guide for Section Executives to include Indigenous perspectives in Section meetings when topics significantly involve Indigenous Peoples’ experiences. This will also include more Indigenous voices as presenters.
Indigenous Perspectives
At the direction of the President, the Truth & Reconciliation Committee engaged with the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum to consider the mandates of the Committee and ALF and recommend any changes to CBABC’s approach to policy development and Sections. These conversations have initiated changes to the process of ensuring Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully reflected in CBABC’s policy recommendations.
Spotlighting Indigenous Knowledge
Our Advancing Reconciliation Series drew 137 attendees, with strong engagement in topics like Legal Impacts of False Claims to Indigenous Identity.
In our online publication BarTalk, the year-round Indigenous Matters column highlighted important topics, from Indigenous cultural leave to reclaiming ancestral names. The Aboriginal Lawyers Forum published two issues of Forum Drum, which successfully transitioned to a fully online format.
Community Support
The Aboriginal Lawyers Forum’s annual Holiday Banquet welcomed over 180 guests, where the silent auction raised $3,400 for the Warrior Project supporting Indigenous law and articling students. The annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Auction also contributed to the cause, raising over $16,000.
Throughout the year, the ALF held community lunches for Indigenous lawyers and law students to discuss their experiences in a safe and supportive space while strengthening connections within the community.
Meeting members across B.C.
CBABC is dedicated to connecting with members in every corner of the province.
Visits & Welcomes
CBABC President Lee Nevens and CEO Kerry Simmons, KC took part in more than 80 engagements to meet members across British Columbia. They connected with managing partners, associates and articling students during various firm visits and CBABC 101 sessions, sharing how CBABC supports members through networking, mentorship and learning opportunities.
CBABC was proud to honour the province’s 41 new judges as our senior leadership spoke at an unprecedented 27 welcoming ceremonies in Vancouver, Westminster, Nanaimo, Yale, Cariboo, Victoria and Kootenay Counties.
Early Career Connections
CBABC connects with law students through networking events and campus presentations, with Lee making their way to each B.C. law school to speak about their early career and the role CBABC plays in a new lawyer’s journey. CBABC representatives also congratulated new colleagues at 11 regional call ceremonies across Yale, Victoria and Nanaimo Counties.
Strong Association Ties
Judicial Welcoming Ceremonies
Firm Visits
Bar Association & Law School Events
Lee and Kerry valued the opportunity to meet with local bar associations at events and dinners held across B.C. — from the North Shore and New Westminster to Yale County and Vancouver Island. If only the weather hadn’t interfered with a visit to Kootenay bar members! At these visits, we heard directly from lawyers about their priorities and challenges in their local communities and we shared how CBABC’s local events and online resources can support their work.
By attending events with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL), The Advocates Society BC, the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) and other organizations, CBABC helped strengthen community ties and promote inclusive professional collaboration. Representatives from FACL, SABA and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers shared perspectives from their membership at CBABC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee meetings.
Professional & personal support
Lawyers Helping Lawyers
CBABC’s three mentorship programs offer tailored, one-on-one support to lawyers and law students. The WLF Mentorship Program saw an almost 45% increase in mentees from 2024 and the Career Starters Mentorship Program remained consistent in its second year running. The Law Students Mentorship Program had fewer mentees participating, mirroring a broader pattern of reduced student engagement reported by the law schools.
Practice Coaches continues to support members by connecting them to experienced practitioners for short-term guidance on unfamiliar issues.
Robe Bank
Robe Bank continues to be a vital resource for new lawyers entering the profession. Free, loaned robes were provided to 83 new lawyers at call ceremonies and trials, including a record-breaking 27 robes loaned for the June call ceremony in Vancouver. CBABC also expanded our donation options, now accepting individual waistcoats, shirts and tabs, to allow for more customized fittings.
Mental Wellness Task Force
53 Practice Coach connections
372 Mentorship matches
83 Robes loaned
44 Robe Bank donations
CBABC appointed the Task Force in September 2023 following the release of the National Lawyer Wellness Study. The group examined the reports and consulted representatives of several legal institutions. In April, they shared their recommendations on how CBABC can best support and advocate for members’ interests and wellbeing. These recommendations will influence CBABC’s future programming and policies.
EDI Engagement
Nearly 200 members shared their expertise and experience on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the profession through a ThoughtExchange survey and five engagement sessions, led by CBABC’s external EDI consultant. The resulting data identifies key EDI issues and will continue to strengthen CBABC’s efforts to build a more inclusive legal community. Member Programs by the numbers
Building a sustainable association
CBABC experienced another year of significant transformation with new technology infrastructure and the development of a five-year strategic plan. After reaching a milestone of over 8,000 members last year, growth continued in 2024/25 with total members of 8,133.
Strategic Lookahead
Since last year’s changes to CBABC staff and their work assignments, time was required to onboard new employees and ensure roles and responsibilities were understood.
With new systems and processes in place, we now look forward to the rollout of CBABC’s five-year strategic plan. External consultants received feedback from members and, in consultation with the board and staff, developed a plan aimed at strengthening lawyers in B.C.
Digital Transformation
Recognizing the evolving needs of our members and the importance of staying ahead in the modern era, CBABC has undertaken several technology improvements.
The launch of CBABC’s new website has enhanced the experience for members with simplified navigation, intuitive search and fewer clicks. Plus, the new site is now fully compliant to AODA standards for accessibility.
BarTalk, CBABC’s publication for the legal profession in B.C., went fully digital this year, in response to member feedback about paper waste and remote work. BarTalk.org has a sleek design, improved categorization and integrated Section newsletters.
Members by the numbers*
8,133 Members
5,198 YOC 4+
1,077 YOC 1-3
1,467 Students
*As at May 31, 2025
Over the summer, CBABC’s Job Board transitioned to CBA Careers. Along with a redesigned website and name change, this update included a simplified job posting process and application management to easily keep track of candidates.
And finally, the BC Immigration and Refugee Lawyer listservs moved to the new CBA community platform, along with several national listservs. This change means every post is now searchable and available to members who join later. Watch for new communities, including Sololink, to roll out next year.
Recognizing the remarkable
CBABC’s annual awards celebrate outstanding achievements and important contributions to advancing our association and the legal profession.
Georges A. Goyer, QC Memorial Award for Distinguished Service
Christopher Johnson, KC, respected defence lawyer and founding partner of law firm Johnson Doyle, was recognized for his contributions to strengthening the criminal justice system and access to justice. He advocates for improving British Columbians access to legal help, helped establish the Vancouver Downtown Community Court and co-founded the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers.
President’s Medal
Founder of the coalition Lawyers Against Transphobia, barbara findlay, KC was honoured with this award for her tireless work to improve the visibility and safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. For over four decades, barbara has defended 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in landmark cases and, even in retirement, remains actively involved in groundbreaking litigation and advocacy.
Harry Rankin, QC Pro Bono Award
Gurminder Sandhu, KC Hamilton Duncan was recognized for his nearly three decades in pro bono service, volunteering his time at Access Pro Bono, Amici Curiae Friends of Court, Salvation Army and the UBC Law Students Legal Advice Program.
Equality & Diversity Award
Hasan Alam, from BC General Employees’ Union, chairs the Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism in British Columbia. His contributions include involvement with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC, the Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline and the Multicultural Advisory Council of BC.
CBA Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence
Ken Armstrong, KC, was honoured for his unparalleled dedication, leadership and service to the CBA, CBABC and many other legal organizations. He served as CBABC President from 2019 to 2020 and on the CBA National Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024.
Section Awards
Aboriginal Lawyers Forum
Michael J. McDonald, KC
Founding member and co-chair of LSBC’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee
Special Contribution Award
Student Awards
CBABC
Darren Ge | Peter A. Allard School of Law
Gunreet Sethi | Peter A. Allard School of Law
Annie Shaffer | TRU Faculty of Law
Annie Simons | UVic Faculty of Law
Women Lawyers Forum
Caroline Senini Peck and Company
Kathryn Sainty, KC Rising Star Award
Rose Keith, KC
Harper Grey LLP
Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award
Sara Forte Forte Workplace Law Award of Excellence
Aboriginal Lawyers Forum
Jessica Frappier | UVic Faculty of Law
Rachelle Grabarczyk | Peter A. Allard School of Law
Garfield Staats | TRU Faculty of Law
CBABC Leadership 2024/25
Committee Chairs Board of Directors
Lee Nevens President
Mylene de Guzman First Vice President
Patricia D. Blair Second Vice President
Daniel Moseley Finance & Audit Chair
Adam Munnings Aboriginal Lawyers Rep
Dimple Kainth EDI Rep
Dan Melnick Young Lawyers Rep
Nathan Bauder Director at Large
Connor Bildfell Director at Large
Sarah Klinger Director at Large
Randy Robinson Director at Large
Lindsay Frame Access to Justice
Michael Kleisinger Advisory to Judicial Council
Isabel Jackson BarTalk Editorial
Judith Janzen Court Services
Dimple Kainth Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Erin Brook Family Law
County Reps Section Reps
Nisha Sikka Aboriginal Law
Martin Bühler Aboriginal Lawyers Forum
David Hainey Business, Tax, Insolvency, Securities
Sybila Valdivieso CCCA
Vanessa Werden Civil Litigation
Mark Gervin Criminal Justice
Christine Murray Family Law
Sanjeeta Johal General/Solo/Small
Brian Yuen Immigration Law
Myron Plett SAGDA
Karen Liang Senior Counsel
Shamim Aidun Wills & Trusts
Grace Cleveland Women Lawyers Forum
Kirsten Hume Scrimshaw Workplace Investigations, Employment, and Labour
Alan Jordan Young Lawyers
Daniel Moseley Finance & Audit
Eric Ledding Professional Issues
Stewart Carstairs Residential Conveyancing
Allen Peabody Restorative Justice
Adam Munnings Truth & Reconciliation
Mark Seebaran Truth & Reconciliation
Cariboo Coral Atchison
Jon Duncan
Nathan Bauder
Kootenay Jamie Lalonde Christopher Trudeau
Nanaimo Patricia Blair
Ben Kingstone
Prince Rupert Emily Beggs
Vancouver Connor Bildfell
Joseph Cuenca
Rupinder Gosal
Jennifer Khor
Leena Yousefi
Victoria J. Berry Hykin
Anwarullah Mujtabah
Westminster Rebecca Darnell
Manpreet Mand
Natasha Nair
Yale Mark Brade
Laurel Hogg
Philip Dwyer
Erica Chow
Nicole Garton
Diane Gradley
Bruce McIvor
Cherolyn Knapp
Matt Somers
Gurjit Tiwana
Aachal Soll
Section Chairs
Aboriginal Law Vancouver
Aboriginal Law Vancouver Island
Aboriginal Lawyers Forum
Administrative Law
ADR Nanaimo
Air Law
Animal Law
Appellate Advocacy
Business Law
CCCA BC
Charities & Not-For-Profit Law
Children's Law
Civil Litigation Okanagan
Civil Litigation Vancouver
Civil Litigation Vancouver Island
Class Action Law
Commercial & Real Estate Okanagan
Constitutional Law / Civil Liberties
Construction Law
Criminal Justice - Vancouver
Criminal Justice - Vancouver Island
Elder Law
Employment Law
Environmental Law
Family Law Fraser Valley
Family Law Kamloops
Family Law Okanagan
Family Law Vancouver
Family Law Vancouver Island
Freedom of Information & Privacy Law
General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Lower Mainland
