My Story
Born and raised in Vancouver, I completed my undergrad and law degrees from UBC and was called to the BC Bar in 2001. Since being called, I have conducted hundreds of trials and numerous chambers applications (reported cases). I have appeared at all levels of Court, from administrative tribunals to the Supreme Court of Canada. I have run my own firm since I was called to the Bar. My current firm consists of six lawyers.
I have edited the PLTC materials and have been a speaker at various events, including presenting for the CLE. I have mentored many younger lawyers and been a principal to 12 articling students.
I have served on various not-for-profit boards since 1994 and coached my children through their community sports careers.
I was first elected as a bencher in November 2023. In my first term as a bencher for Westminster County, I have served on both the Equity and Diversity Committee and the Credentials Committee and participated with the Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Task Force.
I’m married (my wife Sundeep is also a lawyer) and have 3 kids (21, 20 and 14).
Election Statment
I am seeking re-election as the bencher for Westminster County so I can continue to affect change in our profession.
An Independent Legal Profession
During my first term, the current government passed the new LPA. My bencher colleagues and I voted 30-0 to oppose the new LPA. Our lawsuit against the government was heard in October 2025. No matter the outcome, all benchers must continue to advocate for an independent bar. This is of fundamental importance. Without an independent profession, every other issue is window dressing.
Data Driven Decision Making
Our world today is filled with rhetoric and misinformation. As the regulator, we need to be on guard and follow data-driven decision-making. This does not mean perfection; in fact, it means we should experiment with new ideas and, if they don’t work out, have the courage to abandon them. We have to follow the evidence and do what is in the best interest of the public, which will almost always be in the best interest of lawyers. 25 years of experience as a litigator have given me the knowledge for this type of decision-making.
Diversity
Diversity is not just racial or gender diversity, but also size of firm diversity. I have fielded numerous calls during my first term regarding the issues facing small to medium-sized firms. As someone who runs a 6-lawyer firm, I understand the types of issues facing small and medium-sized firms.
Over-Regulation of Small and Solo Firms
Small and solo firms often lack the staffing and dedicated accounting departments that larger firms have. We have to handle most of the day-to-day administrative tasks in-house, and the lawyer typically plays a significant role in managing these tasks. When my colleagues proposed expanding the TAF to apply to all trust matters with no exceptions, I raised my voice against the idea, as it would impact small and solo firms the most. With some effort, I was able to carve out a $10,000 exemption. This will allow firms to provide summary advice, conduct desk order divorces, and perform many other legal tasks that cost less than $10,000, thereby avoiding the burden of tracking and charging the TAF.
PLTC and an Alternative Pathway to licencing
As part of my first term, I helped to advocate for change to PLTC. I have had 12 articling students over the years, and I have heard from them, as well as countless others, about the problems with PLTC, especially since it transitioned online. We will now have CLPED as the new service provider, effective September 2026. But there is still more to do. We need an alternative pathway to articling, and we need a mandatory course for principals. It may be odd to campaign on an issue that impacts future members rather than current ones, but we are leaving many talented lawyers on the sidelines as students outpace articling positions.
In my first term I have worked with my fellow benchers in Westminster County to offer free legal ethics courses and have made myself available to my colleagues almost always on the same day they called. If you have any questions, I am just an email or call away.
I am seeking re-election so I can continue to serve my colleagues and the public in the role of bencher for Westminster County!
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Coaching is my passion
Family is important.