Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m F e b r u A r y 2 0 1 5 13 the norm. Cultural views on gender also play a role as there are expectations that women would marry and have children. Outside the culture, there remains the challenge of being accepted into a pro- fession known for its traditional views and having an overarching white male presence in leadership roles. Chow is hopeful she will be a role model for Asians when she assumes the presidency, encouraging others in the Asian community to enter the practice of law and for more Asian lawyers to join the CBA-BC so it better reflects the demographics of the legal profession and of the area. Metro Vancouver has one of the highest concentrations of Asians in North America. According to 2011, Statistics Canada figures, 43 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents are of Asian heritage. "I see myself as the generation that is bridging the gap between the traditional Canadian culture and the Canadian culture that is changing," she says, adding it is the next generation that will go freely forward unencumbered by stereotypes and discrimination to take on leadership roles. But, whether Chow is speaking of ethnic minorities, gender, or sexual ori- entation, she sees diversity as a form of inclusion that broadens both the mem- bership and views of the CBA-BC, which has been criticized as having too narrow a focus. In her presidency, she hopes to encourage diversity in the branch's exec- utive. She extends that inclusive view to lawyers who live and work outside large urban centres such as Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. She wants it to be relevant to all lawyers, including those in smaller centres who may feel their voices are not heard or the bar association is not relevant. As a measure to include those voices, she is hoping to give CBA- BC regional representatives a stronger voice in provincial council. "An organization should reflect dif- ferent viewpoints, if you want to stay robust," she says, rather than have one "homogenized voice" speaking on all issues. "It is having that diversity in the leadership that allows us to see the big- ger issues in a different way and with different viewpoints and find differ- ent solutions. Many of the issues today such as that involving Trinity Western University involve minority views and controversy." Chow has drawn strong support from other Asian Canadian lawyers such as B.C. Crown Louisa Winn, who admires her leadership skills in committee work. "Jennifer is one of the most dedicated lawyers I have known and whom has taken an active interest in the issues that surround the profession today. She is a fine example of the excellence that diver- sity can bring into an organization such as CBA-BC. As another Asian Canadian and member of the CBA-BC I am proud to serve in an organization led by her," says Winn. — Jean SorenSen jean_sorensen@telus.net \ At L A N t I C \ C e N t r A L \ W e s t regIoNAL WrAp-up CONNECT WITH IN-HOUSE COUNSEL COLLEAGUES AT LEXPERT.CA/CCCA Check out in-house counsel's best networking tool! The 2014/15 Lexpert CCCA/ACCJE Directory & Yearbook online edition is a user-friendly, outstanding key resource for all in-house counsel. Access more than 4,000 listees, more than RUJDQL]DWLRQV´QGIUHVKHGLWRULDOFRQWHQW and information on deals and links to important resources. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME. ON ANY DEVICE. COMING SOON ntitled-2 1 2014-12-16 1:05 PM www.KLWH.ca (905) 812-3709 (905) 812-3710 1 (877) 360-0015 Forensic & Litigation Support Since 1997, HITE Engineering Corporation has conducted 64 high-profile investigations of failures that occurred on construction sites and industrial premises. Our reports always get to the root cause of the accident and are unmatched in their clarity and precision. We have provided investigation and litigation support services to the Ministry of Labour and DODUJHQXPEHURIOHJDOÀUPV te_CL_Feb_15.indd 1 2015-01-16 1:00 PM

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