FACL BC Intersections of Racial and Gender Justice: What Lawyers Need to Know

Written By Abby Pang

On July 13, 2022, the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC hosted a virtual event titled “Intersections of Racial and Gender Justice: What Lawyers Need to Know”, organized by the FACL BC Advocacy Committee. The session focused on helping legal professionals understand how race and gender intersect to shape clients’ experiences and access to justice.

The event featured a panel discussion and Q&A, where speakers shared insights on the barriers and systemic inequities faced by marginalized communities and offered guidance on how lawyers can provide more equitable and inclusive legal services.

Moderated by Afifa Hashimi (Moore Edgar Lyster LLP) and Kaymi Yoon-Maxwell (West Coast Environmental Law), the panel included Raji Mangat (West Coast LEAF), Kareem Ibrahim (Desloges Law Group), Tina Parbhakar (North Shore Law; South Asian Legal Clinic of BC), and Amanda Aziz (Migrant Workers Centre).

Organized by the FACL BC Advocacy Committee, including Chelsea Pang (Kahn Zack Ehrlich Lithwick LLP), Rhythm Jethi (Student Volunteer), Raman Sehmbi (YLaw Group), Abby Pang (Illuma Family Law), Jenn Choi (McCarthy Tétrault), Chanel Pabla (Richards Buell Sutton LLP), and Mark Iyengar (Peck and Company).

Approved for 1.5 hours of CPD credit by the Law Society of BC, the event provided practical tools and awareness for integrating racial and gender justice into legal practice.

FACL BC Intersections of Racial and Gender Justice: What Lawyers Need to Know

Abby Pang

Abby is a lawyer and loving mother of two children. She is an advocate for healthy families and children. She has turned her energy towards supporting families, by providing guidance and helping families navigate through the legal system, while empowering them to have a voice throughout the process.

Abby Pang’s journey began in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Subsequently, her family moved to the east side of Vancouver, before moving to Richmond, where she spent most of her childhood. Her father was a refugee who came to Canada in 1970, and from him she learned the meaning of grit.

In her youth, Abby experienced a breakdown in her family unit which resulted in divorce. She understands that marital breakdowns and divorces can be complicated, but also devastating. She also understands there are alternative options and ways to mitigate the damaging effects of the process.

Abby earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, studying psychology and family studies. She earned a law degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, exchange program through the Hong Kong University. In 2008, she returned to British Columbia to work in a large law office while completing her National Certificate of Accreditation. She then completed her articles in a boutique law firm in Vancouver. She was called to the British Columbia bar in 2012.

Abby has appeared in Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. She deals with personal injury claims, sexual assault (civil) claims, and family law matters: Jansson v. Malone, 2021; Binning v. Kandola, 2021; Bergeron v. Malloy, 2020; Urwin v. Hanson, 2019; Lally v. He, 2016; Kandola v. Mactavish, 2016; Kweon v. Roy, 2016; Chan v. Caer, 2014; Saadati v. Moorhead, 2015; Loft v. Nat, 2015. In addition to her court experience, Abby takes a “family first” approach and is resolution-focused. She is registered through the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

As a lawyer, Abby Pang’s community involvement included volunteer work with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and the Canadian Bar Association Women Lawyers’ Forum. As well, she had the opportunity to assist at Rise Women’s Legal Center and Battered Women’s Support Services through volunteering with Amici Curiae Friends of Court.

Abby is the recipient of A Woman of Worth Leader of the Year Award 2023 for her outstanding achievements in strengthening her community/organization through innovative approaches to resolving challenges and inspiring meaningful change. She has been recognized nationally as a nominee of the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards 2023, which honours extraordinary women leaders and businesses.

In her personal time, Abby enjoys snowboarding, bike riding, and spending time with her family.

https://www.illumalaw.com/team
Previous

Abby Pang Receives the 2023 Leader of the Year Award
Next

FACL BC Women’s Social 2022