Law History Profiles

Connor Bildfell graduated from the JD program at the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2016. Upon graduating from law school, Bildfell clerked at both the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2018 and currently works as an Associate at the Vancouver office of McCarthy Tétrault LLP (“McCarthy Tétrault”). 

Jamie Hoopes graduated from the JD program at the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2015. He currently works as an Associate at Harris & Company LLP (“Harris”) in Vancouver. His legal practice involves representing and advising public and private sector employers on a wide range of matters concerning employment law, labour law, privacy law, and human rights law. 

Meet Jessica Lewis (JD ’15), the newest member of the Allard School of Law Alumni Assocation Board. Like many Board members, Jessica felt compelled to give back to the Allard School of Law community after she graduated and looked to the Board for that opportunity. When a spot opened, she jumped at the chance to join. 

Just a few months into her role she has already enjoyed welcoming new JD students through the Alumni Association’s Orientation Banquet and is looking forward to many other events, including the annual trivia night for 3Ls. 

After a six-year career as a Border Services Officer with the Canada Border Services Agency, Anil Aggarwal shifted his focus to legal studies. He enrolled in the JD program at the University of Manitoba in 2012 before joining the law school at UBC in his second year. He graduated from the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2015 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2016. He is currently an Associate at Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP (“Alexander Holburn”)—the same firm at which he summered and articled following law school.

Blair McRadu graduated from the JD Program at the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2015. McRadu entered law school after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics in 2011. While at law school he participated in the Oxford Intellectual Property Moot where he won the 2015 David A. Vaver Award. During the summer of his second year at law school he worked as a Summer Legal Intern at Earls Kitchen & Bar. He articled with Barker & Company and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2017. 

Yue Fei is a graduate of the JD class of 2015 from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Fei obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science in 2009 from the University of Toronto and a graduate certificate in Regulatory Affairs in 2010 from Humber College. She currently works as both a solicitor and trademark agent at Farris LLP (“Farris”) in Vancouver with a focus on intellectual property. 

Recently called to the bar, Jessie Ramsay is looking forward to developing her legal career in Chilliwack, where she grew up and spent most of her childhood. After completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in First Nations studies from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Ramsay went straight from her undergraduate studies to law school. Indeed, law school was the only option for Ramsay – there wasn’t a backup plan.

Aside from being a successful lawyer at Osler, Hoskin, & Harcourt LLP, Steven Ngo is also a self-described "social entrepreneur". He co-founded a chapter of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) in Alberta and also founded Healing Using Music (HUM), a musical not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged and at risk populations attain happiness and joy through music.

Alain Saint-Onge is a graduate of the JD class of 2014 from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. He currently works as an Associate in the Employment & Labour Group at the Calgary office of Stikeman Elliott LLP (“Stikeman Elliott”). His practice focuses on a diverse range of matters relating to employment and labour law as well as privacy law and human rights. He has ample experience regarding employment contracts, arbitration, employment standards, and the Labour Relations Board. 

Jessie N Ramsay (JD ‘14) is one of two Allard alumni to win the prestigious BIV 2024 Forty Under 40 Award at celebratory event last month. A partner at Baker Newby LLP, Ramsay was recognized for her community service, including her work as a board member with the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation, Chilliwack Community Services and Stó:lō Service Agency. Dedicated to family, community, and her home of Chilliwack, Jessie looks forward to expanding her legal practice and continuing to give back.

Adam Way graduated with the 2014 JD class from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. He currently works at Harper Grey LLP (“Harper Grey”) in Vancouver as an Associate in the firm’s Environmental, Commercial, and Construction Law Groups. 

"When I was born, the doctors told my parents that there had been a tragedy," says Josh Vander Vies, who has no arms and no legs. "They painted such a bleak story." Now at 29, Vander Vies has charted a course filled with achievements: elite athlete, abstract painter, motivational speaker and father of two. In June 2014, he adds a law degree from the University of British Columbia to the list before working towards his next goal: competing at the 2014 World Boccia Championships in Beijing.

With a passion for protecting human rights, recent graduate Flora Vineberg knew early on that she wanted to go to law school. At a young age her mother took her to a memorial for the Montreal Massacre, the tragic shooting that took place at the The École Polytechnique in 1989: “It was sort of my first exposure to the idea of injustice,” she said. “I guess as I grew up and matured, my thoughts were able to progress and I just realized that knowledge is power. One of the best ways to combat injustice, to foster inclusion and to give a voice to the voiceless is through the law.” 

Vanessa Johnson graduated from Allard School of Law with a concentration in business law in 2014. She reflects on why she left a career in music to pursue her passion for business law, her experiences as a student at Allard School of Law, and the similarities between business law in practice as well as a career in music. 

Michela Fiorido is a Lawyer at Harris & Company LLP (“Harris”) in Vancouver. The core focus of Michela’s practice concerns a variety of legal issues pertaining to the entertainment and performing arts sectors. She frequently advises and represents clients in relation to employment law, human rights law, and privacy law. 

What started as stress relief activity during law school turned into passion that would eventually lead to being published in the New Yorker. Zoe Si (JD, 2013) is a lawyer and cartoonist whose cartoons have gained quite the following of fans who can relate to her witty and thoughtful reflections on life, and recently, on isolation. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Zoe about her career and life as an artist. 

Victor Gerchikov is an Associate at the Vancouver office of Stikeman Elliott LLP (“Stikeman Elliott”). His legal practice primarily centres on commercial and corporate matters ranging from securities to mergers and acquisitions. He works alongside the Corporate and Securities Group at Stikeman Elliott. 

Nicco Bautista and Maria Kim-Bautista both immigrated to Vancouver as children. They are both the first people in their families to attend law school and have both established themselves as successful lawyers in the city.

Now, they’re sharing a simple yet powerful message with law students of Asian heritage: “You belong.”

The couple first became acquaintances during their time as undergraduates at UBC. They later reconnected when Maria transferred to the Allard School of Law after completing her first year at the University of Alberta.

Mark McPhee is a graduate from the JD class of 2013 and is currently an Associate at Harper Grey LLP (“Harper Grey”) in Vancouver. Prior to attending law school, McPhee studied at both Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science in 2009 from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. 

Many law students pursue exchange semesters as a way to travel before entering practice, but for Dustin Klaudt, the CBA Young Lawyers International Program (YLIP) provided a chance to continue travelling, even after being called to the bar in BC. The program, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, places young law graduates at internships with organizations working in law reform, human rights, and access to justice in various countries in Africa, East and South Asia, and the Caribbean.