Law History Profiles

“As human beings, we are social animals and thrive in communities or ‘tribes’ as I like to call them. I found my ‘tribe’ in law school.” – Dawna Mueller, photographer, entrepreneur, activist, and member of the Allard School of Law class of 1993. 

Dawna Lynn Mueller (McLean in law school) was born in Manitoba in 1960, but moved to Burnaby, British Columbia with her mother in 1963 after her father passed away. She attended the University of British Columbia where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1989, followed by a Bachelor of Laws in 1993. 

Rachel Hutton is a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP, working directly with both the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Group and Project Development Group. Her practice includes a wide range of subsets with significant experience in corporate transactions and development. Hutton frequently advises clients on commercial, impact benefit, and benefit sharing agreements with First Nations on capital projects. Development projects are also a core aspect of Hutton’s practice.

"Your moral values are important, because it gives you a frame for how you look at the world...we are legislators and that is a different responsibility. I don't feel it is my responsibility to impose my moral values on everybody else." - Arnold Chan: father, political staffer, member of parliament, cancer survivor, Class of 1993. 

As an Allard School of Law alumnus, and Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Records and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing, Cameron Strang (BCom, LLB, 1992) has achieved what many entrepreneurs and music enthusiasts would consider a lifelong dream: he built a record label out of his passion for music, subsequently sold it to Warner Music Group, one of the largest and most renowned music companies in the world, and then stepped into the role of Chairman and CEO of two of its most legendary businesses... 

Sharon had a somewhat unruly birth 40-something years ago, and some would say that she has been unruly ever since. There is considerable debate in her family about whether she was “an accident” (she was born several years after the last of her four siblings), but there is absolutely no double she is “special” ... 

Leona Sparrow, the official liaison between the Musqueam Indian Band and the Peter A. Allard School of Law, is no stranger to UBC. Sparrow completed both a BA and MA in Anthropology at UBC. After an esteemed career serving on the Musqueam and Chief Council, Sparrow returned to UBC to pursue a law degree. She graduated with the LLB class of 1992. A notable advocate and spokesperson for the Musqueam and other Indigenous peoples, Sparrow currently acts as Director of Treaty, Lands, and Resources for the Musqueam Band. 

Law grads who spent time at UBC in the early 1990s may remember a friendly black shepherd dog, named Mike, that frequently camped outside the George F. Curtis Building. Mike often brought his owner, Deborah Wolfe, to campus with him, waiting faithfully for her as she attended her classes ...

Valli Chettiar has had a very successful legal career since graduating from UBC in 1992: She was a partner with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, acted as general counsel to Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd., and is currently Vice-Chair of the Property Assessment Appeal Board and a Member (Mediator/Arbitrator) of the Surface Rights Board in BC. But what stands out the most about Ms. Chettiar is her enduring passion for promoting equity and diversity in the legal profession.

Dawn Boblin's appointment to the Provincial Court bench was met with elation and warm congratulations from her provincial Crown counsel colleagues, who at the same moment felt acutely her loss from the office. Few have a wit as quick and a laugh as infectious as Dawn has. She has been a practical, wise and even-handed colleague and mentor to many Crown counsel over the years. She will be deeply missed in the halls of 222 Main Street and 865 Hornby Street, where she practised most recently as a Crown prosecutor... 

Robin Junger is a Partner at the Vancouver office of McMillan LLP (“McMillan”). He also serves as McMillan’s National Co-Chair of the Aboriginal and Environmental Group as well as the Co-Chair for the firm’s Oil and Gas Group. Frequently recognized by Chambers Global, Lexpert, and Best Lawyers, Junger is a leading name in the fields of environmental and Aboriginal law. 

From left to right: Alanna Lee, Lisa Martz, Jason Koshman, and Mary Ainslie with coach Bruce MacDougall receiving the Gale Cup trophy in 1991. 

In 2009, Janet Winteringham, Q.C. and Andi MacKay opened the doors of a boutique litigation firm in Gastown specializing in criminal, civil and constitutional cases. Janet’s interest in criminal and constitutional matters began at Simon Fraser University as a Criminology major and continued at the University of British Columbia where she obtained her LLB in 1991. 

J. Kelly Hoey (LLB ’91): strategic advisor, author, networking expert extraordinaire and this month’s featured alumna. When we learned this Allard School of Law grad was recently named one of the 100 most influential women on Twitter, we jumped at the opportunity to feature her transition from practicing law to inspiring others and publishing her own networking book in order to show just how boundless an Allard School of Law education can be. 

Lindsay Lyster graduated as the gold medalist for the Class of 1991, and went on to clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada. While working as a research assistant for Dean Peter Burns, she was introduced to Madam Justice McLachlin and offered a job over dinner. “It was completely not the way it’s done now.” Ms.

Kelly had an adventurous and daring spirit that, prior to law school, saw her working as a camp cook and rock hound in remote areas of British Columbia. Ever proud of her Tsimshian, Haida and Scottish heritage, Kelly sought to carry on the political legacy of her forebears. Kelly, who had developed her political awareness at a young age, continued her social and political activism while in law school at UBC (1988-1991). This activism, which extended throughout her life, was particularly evident in her passion for First Nations and child welfare issues... 

David Wotherspoon (LLB '91) is a partner at Dentons and lead of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group in Vancouver. In 2013, he took on a pro bono case, representing homeless people who had set up an encampment on city-owned land in Abbotsford. In a half-day injunction that turned into a six-week trial, David succeeded in advancing the Charter rights of homeless people.

What drove you to pursue law school? Did you always want to go into law?

“I’m passionate about corporate culture, diversity and inclusion, and how organizations can make a positive impact in communities,” says Emiko Ando, General Counsel at BlueShore Financial Credit Union. Emiko has made it her mission to help organizations do just that. Emiko first became interested in legal practice during her commerce degree. She describes her parents as “serial entrepreneurs” and planned to follow in their footsteps. “I thought a law degree would give me a good foundation for business,” she explains.

Beverley Ann Busson, C.M., O.C.M., O.B.C., a graduate of UBC Law in 1990, has been appointed to the Advisory Council on National Security (ACNS) by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Ms. Busson’s appointment follows a distinguished career in law enforcement culminating in her rise to the position of Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Since her membership in the first class of women to become Regular Members of the RCMP in 1974, Ms. Busson has been actively involved in community, justice and student programs.

Gigi Chen-Kuo, LLB 1990, was named interim CEO of TransLink beginning in February 2021, after a long record of service to the organization in executive leadership and in-house counsel roles. In January, we had the chance to ask Ms. Chen-Kuo a few questions about her career path and law school experience. 

“In a way, I feel like Forrest Gump.” It’s 9:00 a.m. in Vancouver and midnight in Hong Kong, and this is Olivia Lee on the line, head of the China and Hong Kong Capital Markets practice and the Hong Kong Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate practices for White & Case LLP. Maybe it’s the time difference, or a bad connection. Hello?

“I happened to be [involved] in a lot of things which I didn’t expect at all,” Lee starts to explain, “a lot of memorable events, meeting a lot of very interesting people.” Cue the Prime Ministers. Roll film. Aaand … action.