Events

Blankets for the Homeless

The Association of South Asian Professionals of BC (“ASAP”) handed out 300 blankets to the homeless on December 19, 2007. SABABC members joined with ASAP members to help distribute the blankets to the less fortunate in the downtown Vancouver eastside. It proved to be a very rewarding event promoting goodwill and friendship on behalf of south asian professionals.

ASAP spokesperson and SABABC Director and Treasurer Jindy Bhalla said: As members of the general community, we feel that it is our duty as well as a privilege to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Each member of ASAP has purchased these blankets with their own funds to show their commitment to ASAP’s vision and in appreciation for the opportunities and successes they have enjoyed. In the coming months, ASAP will be engaging in a variety of socially responsible activities to help further its vision. We encourage other professionals to join in and use their expertise, skill and influence for the betterment of the general community.”

The Association of South Asian Professionals of British Columbia is a recently formed group of South Asian Professionals from various disciplines including lawyers, engineers, brokers, financiers, doctors, notaries, media and local business people. The vision of the association is to promote social responsibility through positive action in the general community, foster leadership by acting as role models and mentors, and advocate for social issues in British Columbia, all in a professional manner focusing solely on need.

SABABC looks forward to working with ASAP in the future to further promote social responsibility.

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SABABC FIRST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Annual SABABC Golf Tournament and Dinner was held on the afternoon of Saturday August 18, 2007 at the Mylora at Sidaway Par 3 golf course located at 9911 Sidaway Road Richmond BC. Hearty congratulations to Jindy Bhalla and his crew for organizing our very first golf tournament. It was a great success with over 40 attendees, beautiful weather, and excellent food and company. The day was enjoyed by all and was a great opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Oh yes, and the golfing was great too, no skill needed!

CTV newscaster Renu Bakshi kindly performed MC duties with the assistance of our President, Jeevyn Dhaliwal. Special guests included Republic of India Consul General Ashok Kumar and BC Law Society President Anna Fung.

The competition was intense, however the team of Paul Sandhu, Gail Sahota, Jas Sandhu and Sakesh Kumar managed to eke out victory with the highest score. The competition was equally intense for the lowest score with three teams tied for first place, led by Harbans Kandola, Usman Ghani and Aseem Dosanjh. A putt-off was necessary to settle matters with Usman Ghani's team eventually being declared the winner. Usman also managed to pick up the men's longest drive and closest to the pin awards. Pinder Cheema and Bonnie Teng showed off their skills by winning the women's longest drive and closest to the pin awards.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, each attendee was awarded a prize. Our sponsors included Jindy Bhalla of Edwards, Kenny & Bray, Mandeep Dhaliwal of Lawson Lundell, Stephen Sawchuk of Lafarge, Sharad Khare of Richmond Mini, Jeevyn Dhaliwal of Roper Greyall, Deepak Gill of Faskin Martineau, Ashok Kumar of the Republic of India, Usman Ghani of Hobbs Girody, Anna Fung of Teresen Gas, Parvinder Sahota of Lidstone Young Anderson, Angela Mong of Miller Thomson, Harjit Sandhu of Investors Group, Smoking Dog Bistro, Nick Demenico, Danica Imports, Amit Varma of Royal Bank, Darren MacDougall of TD Private Banking, and Kelly Troung of Nedcor Cellular. SABABC managed to raise approximately $1,000.00 from our putting contest and impromptu live auction to help support our programs.

Special thanks to Joanna and Rod Mustapic of Triage Data Solutions Inc. Not only did they arrange for the donation of our major auction prize of a CT Summation litigation software module, they also donated other prizes, provided each golfer with a unique pocket ball washer, conducted the putting contest, assisted with the registration desk, and assisted with the distribution of prizes. Triage Data Solutions Inc. is a full service document management company specializing in scanning, database coding, OCR, electronic discovery, printing, software sales and training, and litigation support. Triage has provided document management solutions to law firms throughout North America since 2000, thus becoming a recognized leader in the field. Through innovation, experience, a commitment to customer service, and the latest technology, Triage is able to provide leading edge solutions to the legal community.

A great time was had by all and you are encouraged to book early for next year's golf tournament as it promises to be another sellout.

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Advancing the Profile of South Asian Lawyers:

A Forum on Professional Responsibility, Improving Standards of Practice, and Increasing Representation in the Profession and on the Judiciary

SABABC's first annual conference was held on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Crystal at the York in Surrey, B.C.. This year's conference focused on the advancement of South Asian lawyers, consisting of three panels with esteemed guest speakers providing insight in the areas of professional responsibility, practice standards, and representation on the judiciary. Lunch was served at the conclusion of the panels which provided an opportunity for the attendees to socialize with their colleagues and speak with the panelists on a one-on-one basis.

The confence featured the following speakers: Hon. Attorney General Wally Oppal, Q.C., Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, Q.C., His Honour Judge Gurmail Gill, Ian Donaldson, Q.C., Art Vertlieb, Q.C., Pinder Cheema, Q.C., Stuart Cameron, Narinder Kang, Kensi Gounden, Paula Kalsi, Jaia Rai, and Aseem Dosanjh

The conference was very successful with approximately 40 attendees. The advice and guidance provided by the speakers was invaluable and well-received. The speakers are thanked for taking time out of their busy schedules to support SABABC.

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Members interested in participating on the planning committee for the 2008 Fall Conference should contact President, Jeevyn Dhaliwal

2007 NASABA CONFERENCE IN SAN FRANCISO

The North American South Asian Bar Association held its Annual Convention in San Francisco this past June. Over 500 people, including lawyers, judges and law students, from the United States, Canada, Britain and India attended the conference at the elegant Westin St. Francis in Union Square. SABABC was represented by Jindy Bhalla, Mandeep Gill, Jag Shergill, Jeevyn Dhaliwal and Mandeep Dhaliwal. The diverse topics included legal outsourcing, doing business in India, and experiences of minorities in law firms. Jeevyn Dhaliwal and Mandeep Dhaliwal, participated as panellists. One of the many highlights included the Friday night welcome reception at the Asian Art Museum.

For those that have not had the opportunity to attend, the annual conventions prove to be great networking event and this past year's convention was certainly no exception. The South Asian Bar Association of Northern California Organizing Committee should be complimented for a very professional and high calibre event.

The 2008 Conference will be in Chicago. Details will be circulating the new year.

2007 SABABC Annual Gala and Silent Auction at Vancouver Art Gallery

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Sanafir Event

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SABA BC/SABA Washington Mixer

Location: Marmalade Kitchen & Bar
#3-1010 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC
When: Saturday, October 15, 7:00pm
Phone: 604-689-7800
S.A.B.A. B.C. will hold a mixer for our colleagues from S.A.B.A. Washington. Please join us for a casual dinner to welcome our friends to Vancouver. This will be an excellent opportunity to connect with our counterparts from Washington and to hopefully meet some of our new members.

First Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction

In Celebration of the Incorporation of the 1st Canadian Chapter of the NORTH AMERICAN SOUTH ASIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NASABA), the Board of Directors of the SOUTH ASIAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (SABABC) cordially invite you to attend its First Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction. For more information regarding the venue, time and ticket prices, please click here.

NASABA 2005 Convention

The 2nd Annual National South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) Convention will be held in Washington, DC June 17-18, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The Convention, hosted by the D.C. chapter (SABA- DC) will feature a variety of seminars, workshops, and evening networking programs, including an Awards Banquet honouring our community's most accomplished lawyers. If your firm or organization is interested in sponsorship for the Convention, please contact a local SABA Board Member. A limited number of rooms have been blocked for NASABA at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill at a special room rate of $150/night. Call the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill at (888) 591-1234. When calling, be sure to mention the special NASABA Convention room rate.

Of particular note, former B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Wallace Oppal will be addressing the NASABA Convention on Saturday afternoon.

SABA Washington/ SABA BC Mixer

Washington SABA hosted SABA BC members at the trendy Toi restaurant in downtown Seattle on Saturday, June 11, 2005. The event was a great success. The social event provided a wonderful opportunity to meet our colleagues toward the south. The similar event is planned for the fall 2005 in Vancouver. Please check this website for further details in the coming weeks.

UBC Law Students Mentoring Match Program

Following the success of the SABA BC and UBC Law Students Mentoring Luncheon, SABA BC has matched students and SABA BC lawyers. The program is designed to allow students to have one-on-one time with lawyers.

SABA BC and UBC Law Students Mentoring Luncheon

In the fall of 2004, UBC law students joined SABA BC lawyers for a mentoring luncheon at the Yaletown Brewery. The law students were able to make contacts with lawyers practising in a wide range of areas and ask candid questions regarding articling, the profession of law and the hiring process. The event will be repeated in the upcoming fall term.

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NASABA 2004 Convention

NASABA Conference
The inaugural National South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”) Convention was held in June 2004 in Santa Monica, California. In total 15 South Asian Bar Associations from across the United States and the South Asian Bar Association of British Columbia were represented by over 400 conference attendees. The conference began with both Governor Michael Dukakis and U.S. Attorney for California Debra Yang delivering inspiring and well-crafted speeches. The panel seminars were characterized by a diversity of topics covering current legal issues (outsourcing, the drug patent wars), legal access (discrimination and the legal practice) and the business side of the legal profession (rainmaking, networking). The conference was capped off with a formal evening banquet held at the elegant Loews Hotel. The banquet included both entertainment and recognition of individuals for their volunteer community work. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to meet attorneys of South Asian descent from across North America with a range of practice areas.