We're an inclusive community-minded non-profit organization whose strengths are rooted in the dedication and passion of our diverse staff and directors.
Our Staff
Our staff is a diverse and vibrant mix of hard-working individuals with legal and non-legal backgrounds whose daily mission is to serve individuals and non-profit organizations seeking critical legal help.
Our Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board of Directors consists of several judges, lawyers, community leaders and other professionals from across the province who share a dedication to the pursuit of equal access to justice for all British Columbians.
Christine has a BComm in Finance from Concordia University, and worked with the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch for over ten years before joining the APB team. She is dedicated to helping British Columbians find the right legal service provider to meet their legal needs.
Erin has been working in BC's legal sector since 2011. She spent eight years as the Education Director at the Trial Lawyers Association of BC, and has managed meetings, events and special projects for the greater part of her professional career. She has certificates in project management and change management from UBC Sauder School of Business. In 2021, she earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Erin is currently project manager of the Everyone Legal Clinic and the Online Lawyer Referral Service.
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 as a clinic assistant for Access Justice before becoming its Clinic Coordinator. Frank helped to create APB's Mental Health Program. He has a law degree (LLB) from the University of London, UK.
Heather was called to the BC bar in 2011. She holds an LLB from the University of Victoria, and a BA in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University. Before joining APB, Heather practiced civil litigation in Vancouver, and was a visiting lawyer at the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic in Georgetown, Guyana. She's also worked as a legal analyst with the Ending Violence Association of BC and as a program director for the Law Foundation of BC. Heather oversees APB’s Roster Program and Court of Appeal Program.
Jamie is APB’s Founding Executive Director. He's a practising civil litigator and a former Executive Director of the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program and Pro Bono Law of BC. He volunteers as a law instructor for people overcoming homelessness and addiction, and regularly provides pro bono legal services in his East Vancouver community. He's also a Life Bencher of the Law Society of BC. In 2019, Jamie conducted an external review of legal aid service delivery in BC for the province's Attorney General.
Jimmy joined Access Justice in 2003 and served as its System Architect, Project Manager, and Acting Executive Director prior to its merger with Pro Bono Law of BC. He's a columnist of the City Post of Singtao News and a regular media commentator on issues of public legal education and information. Jimmy has a B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering and a M.Ed. in Law, Justice and Ethics. He's also a Research Assistant of The Centre for Education, Law and Society in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, and a CELS educational advisor to the Chinese community.
Inspired by her passion for access to justice, Kaarina earned her JD from UBC's Allard School of Law in 2021. She was called to the BC Bar in June 2022. She also obtained a BA in philosophy from UBC and is a graduate of BCIT’s biotechnology program. Prior to joining APB, she served as a student clinician at Rise Women’s Legal Centre, and interned at Battered Women’s Support Services.
Laís is an internationally-trained lawyer from Brazil. She has experience in family and criminal law, and worked for the Public Prosecution Services of Rondonia before coming to Canada in 2019. She has a Business Management diploma from Capilano University, and has been working in BC's not-for-profit sector for over 3 years. Laís has volunteered for several organizations, including the Vancouver Board of Trade, Capilano Students’ Union, Enactus Capilano, and She Connects Canada. She plans to meet the NCA requirements to become a dual-qualified lawyer and to pursue her passion for practicing law.
Manasi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Political Science and History from UBC. As an inquisitive lawyer-to-be, she began her journey in the legal sector by volunteering with APB from early 2019 to late 2021–– originally serving as a Client Call Volunteer and then as a Duty Counsel Assistant with the Civil Chambers Program. After graduating from UBC in 2021, she worked as a Legal Administrative Assistant in a full-service regional law firm, specializing in corporate law and insurance defence litigation. Manasi has volunteered with youth organizations and shelters to assist folks overcoming addiction and homelessness in Vancouver. Her core beliefs align with APB’s mission to increase equitable access to justice in all communities. She aims to attend law school and then practice in the areas of human rights and family law.
Neesha was called to the Ontario Bar in 2015. She holds a BCL/LLB from the McGill University Faculty of Law, and a BA in Social Studies from Harvard College. Before joining APB, Neesha worked as the Executive Director of the Yellowknife Women's Society - a charitable organization that provides housing and childcare services in Yellowknife - and as a family and child protection lawyer for the Legal Aid Commission of the Northwest Territories. Neesha started her legal career at a fast-paced family litigation firm in Toronto.
Patricia holds a JD from the University of Victoria, and a BA in Criminology along with certificates in Legal Studies, French and Spanish from Simon Fraser University. Before joining APB, she completed her articles with a boutique municipal law firm, and she was called to the BC bar in 2022. Patricia believes equitable access to justice is an important issue for all British Columbians, and she has volunteered with several organizations to further that objective. She is happy to be a member of the LRS team connecting members of the BC public with private lawyers.
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's pursuing her designation as a Certified General Accountant.
Ying was the Lawyer Referral Service Intake Operator and Dial-A-Law Coordinator with the Canadian Bar Association's BC Branch for thirteen years prior to the LRS transitioning to APB. She has a background in Arts and English. Her main responsibilities include receiving public enquiries for legal help, referring people to the appropriate APB volunteer lawyer or service, and maintaining volunteer lawyer registrations.