Staff

Annie Baric   Operations Coordinator

Annie graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BA in Archaeology, and she holds a Certificate in Office Administration with Technology from BCIT.  She has worked with nonprofit organizations for the past several years and has particular expertise in fundraising, special events and administration.  She is a member of Vantage Point and regularly volunteers with the Zajac Foundation.

Oliver Christie   Fundraiser & Recruiter

Oliver is a self-proclaimed philanthropist with a background in the liberal arts and humanities.  He fundraises and recruits pro bono lawyers in the tradition of his late father, Dugald Christie (founder of the Salvation Army Pro Bono Program and Access Justice).  Some of his law-related musings have been published in the Advocate and the UBC Law Review.

Joan Cotie   Children’s Lawyer Program Manager (contract)

Joan is a mediator and arbitrator on Vancouver Island.  She has worked with families, youth and children for over thirty years, and is a member of the Victoria Collaborative Family Law Group, the BC Parenting Coordination Roster and the BC Family, Civil and Child Protection Mediation Rosters.

Jamie Maclaren   Executive Director

Jamie is a practising employment lawyer and a former Executive Director of the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program and Pro Bono Law of BC.   He volunteers as a supervising trial lawyer and director for LSLAP, conducts legal seminars for people overcoming homelessness and addiction, and regularly provides pro bono legal advice and representation. He writes a column for the slaw.ca blog and speaks internationally on the subject of access to justice.

Allan Parker, QC   Program Consultant (contract)

For most of his legal career, Allan held various positions as a staff lawyer and manager with the Legal Services Society, and he was also an Instructor at PLTC for several years.  More recently, he was the Executive Director of Access Justice before its merger into APB.  He is a part-time mediator, a member of the Civil Mediation Roster, and APB’s resident expert on debtor-creditor law.

Craig Patterson   Project Manager

Craig was called to the Alberta Bar in 2002 and has experience in insurance law and claims management from working at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and Professional Indemnity Company in Ontario.  He has a long history of charity work and is active with Covenant House Vancouver.  When not working, Craig enjoys going to the gym, socializing, and exploring beautiful BC.

Michelle Quigg   Roster Coordinator (on leave)

Michelle is a practising immigration lawyer.  In addition to her work with APB, she maintains a law practice focused primarily on refugee issues.  She volunteers regularly with Battered Women Support Services and as a supervising lawyer for LSLAP’s immigration clinic.

Amina Rai   Civil Chambers Program Manager

Amina has a BA in Psychology and Gender Studies from UBC and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge.  Her graduate thesis examined non-profit and private sector partnerships in international development projects focused on advancing the education of women in the Global South.  Amina has been actively involved in student advocacy, serving sabbatical roles as President of both the UBC Alma Mater Society and the University of Cambridge Graduate Union.

Priyan Samarakoone   Intake Coordinator

Priyan completed his LLB at Nottingham Law School in the UK.  He has since been involved in public interest litigation and access to justice projects in Sri Lanka.  He is a member of the Clicklaw Editorial Committee, and is awaiting admission to the Bar in Vancouver.

Kristy Sim   Roster Coordinator (interim) 

Kristy has been practicing law in BC since 2006 in the areas of criminal defence, labour and employment, and human rights.  She has a keen interest in human rights and access to justice issues.  In addition to her work with APB, she is completing a Master’s in Studies in International Human Rights Law at Oxford University.

Vivian Song   Finance Administrator 

Vivian obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from SFU with a major in accounting.  She was the Finance Administrator for Access Justice and an instrumental contributor in its merger with Pro Bono Law of BC. She loves cinema and travel, and she is pursuing her designation as a Certified General Accountant.

Jimmy Yan   Project & Information Officer

Jimmy joined Access Justice in 2003 and served as its Web Architect, Project Manager, and Acting Executive Director prior to its merger with Pro Bono Law of BC.  He is a regular commentator on Fairchild Radio on issues of public legal education and information.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and is now pursuing an MEd in Law, Justice and Ethics at SFU.

Frank Yates   Clinic Coordinator

Frank worked for 40 years in telecommunications before retiring from the engineering department of Telus in 2006. After retiring, he volunteered for a short while for Access Justice as a clinic assistant before becoming its Clinic Coordinator.  He continues to enjoy his second career with APB immensely.