Constance Backhouse
Distinguished University Professor, University of Ottawa
Constance is an internationally renowned legal scholar, professor and research chair at the University of Ottawa. She is known for her feminist research and publications on sex discrimination and the legal history of gender and race in Canada. Her publications profile the ways in which women and racialized communities have struggled to obtain justice within the legal system. She has received numerous awards and honours for her work including honorary doctorates and CBA’s Ramon Hnatyshyn Award in 2006.
Two Firsts Paving the Way
Nisha
Bathe
Assistant Vice President of Legal, Infrastructure BC
Nisha served as Legal Counsel at the Ministry of Attorney General prior to joining Infrastructure BC, where she worked closely with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Transportation Investment Corporation, and Infrastructure BC to deliver infrastructure projects. She has worked on all aspects of project delivery, provided contract implementation and management support to project teams and coordinated subject matter legal experts.
Climb Higher Together
Patricia Blair
Partner, River Valley Law LLP
President, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
Patricia is a certified Family Law Mediator and founding partner of River Valley Law. She is a dedicated volunteer with CBABC, serving as President for 2025-26 after years on the Board of Directors and Provincial Council. She is also a supervising lawyer for the Poverty Law Advocate Program through the Law Foundation and a former Chair of the Board for the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society.
The Making of a Leader
Jessica Beverley
General Manager for Legal Services and Indigenous Relations, Metro
Vancouver
Jessica is a member of Metro Vancouver’s Executive Leadership Team and manages 45 staff across three divisions: Legal Services, Indigenous Relations, and Corporate Office. She holds a Master of Laws and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland and previously practiced integrated business law and litigation with McCarthy Tetrault.
The Making of a Leader
Robin Gage
Managing Partner, Arvay Finlay
Robin’s civil litigation practice focuses on public law, including environmental, Aboriginal, constitutional, human rights, employment and administrative law. She devotes herself to volunteering and pro bono service to advance social justice issues, access to justice and mentorship to the next generation of lawyers. Robin is the Chair of AVI Health & Community Services, a member of CBABC’s Vancouver Island Women Lawyer Forum Executive and Court Services Committee, and a CBABC Practice Coach.
The Making of a Leader
Leah George Wilson
Former Elected Chief, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Lawyer, Miller Titerle
Leah is a well-known and respected Indigenous leader and lawyer. She was the first woman to serve as elected Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, serving in the position for four terms. Outside of her practice focused on Indigenous law, she serves as elected co-chair of the First Nations Summit and a director the Land Advisory Board. She also previously served as director of First Nations Health Council and Four Host First Nations.
Holding the Line
Leen
Hamdi
Counsellor, Lawyers Assistance Program BC
Leen is a Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling (MPCC) and a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC). She builds her practices around self-compassion, mindfulness, and an intention for living a more fulfilling life. She has experience counselling people who are experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, immigration challenges, addiction and other mental health challenges.
Rewriting the Rules of Well-being
The Hon. Judge Tamara Hodge
Provincial Court of BC
Judge Hodge was appointed to the Provincial Court of BC in 2022 following a career as Crown Counsel on Vancouver Island. She is a past Executive member of the Women Lawyers Forum-Vancouver Island and Criminal Justice – Victoria Section.
The Making of a Leader
Sarah Klinger
Owner and Lawyer, Law Office of Sarah L Klinger
Sarah founded her solo firm in 2012, practicing employment law, estate litigation and personal injury. She is an active volunteer with the Canadian Bar Association, now serving as CBABC’s Second Vice President, following several years on the Board of Directors and Provincial Council. Early in her career, Sarah rose through the ranks to be the National Young Lawyers President which gave her the opportunity to represent early career lawyers internationally.
Climb Higher Together
Allison Morell
Knowledge and Legal Operations Lawyer, Dentons
Allison leads strategic initiatives in knowledge management, practice optimization and legal technology, supporting litigation and dispute resolution practice groups across Dentons. Their work focuses on enhancing efficiency and implementing innovative solutions, including AI and other advanced technologies. Since 2023, Allison has developed expertise as a self-taught programmer, building AI applications for legal practice, and has become a recognized leader in AI education and training for lawyers.
Closing the AI Gap
Shari R. Pearlman
Program Director and Lawyer Counsellor, Lawyers Assistance Program BC
Shari is a graduate of Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Rutgers School of Law. She received her Certificate of Business Management from Portland State University and is a registered clinical social worker in B.C. Prior to joining LAPBC in 2020, she practiced criminal defence law in Oregon and served as the Assistant Director of the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program from 1999-2020.
Rewriting the Rules of Well-being
Kerry L. Simmons,
KC
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
Leading the CBABC operations since 2018, Kerry served as the CBA President in 2017-18 and the CBABC President in 2012-13. She co-chaired the CBA’s Truth & Reconciliation Task Force and has represented CBA internationally and throughout the provincial and national legal landscape. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Kerry’s passions include a strong justice system, education, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, inclusion and diversity, and the protection and promotion of children in healthy, positive environments.
Holding the Line
Leena
Yousefi
Chief Executive Officer, YLaw
Leena is a multi-award-winning employment & family lawyer, accredited mediator, and the CEO of the largest female-led law firm in Canada. She was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in 2018, Top 40 Under 40 in 2019, and Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2022. Under her leadership, YLaw was ranked in the Top 400 Fastest Growing Companies in Canada three years in a row. Leena shared part of her story in The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in the Legal Profession.
Climb Higher Together
