Law History Profiles

Nicole Barrett is the Director of the Joint International Justice and Human Rights Clinic at Osgoode Hall and University of British Columbia Allard School of Law.  She was previously a Trial Lawyer and a Legal Officer for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and a Senior Scholar in Residence at New York University Law School’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, where she directed legal projects with international criminal courts and tribunals.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

In January, 2014 Shauna Towriss (LLB ‘05) joined the Allard School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors. What Shauna loves about the Alumni Association is that it brings together so many generations of law graduates to share their career experiences. 

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. 

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. 

The memory of her deceased grandmother inspired UBC grad Cindy Allen to study Aboriginal law. 

In 2009, Cindy Allen’s 83-year-old grandmother, Marie-Adele Doctor, was viciously attacked in her home near Yellowknife by an intruder. The Dene Elder from N’dilo, N.W.T. died in hospital a few weeks later. 

Initially charged with aggravated assault, the perpetrator was convicted of a lesser charge and sentenced to 14 months in jail. 

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.

"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.” 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Graham Reynolds is an Associate Professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law with research and teaching interests focused on copyright, intellectual property, human rights, technology, and access to justice. Prior to joining the faculty at the Allard School of Law, Reynolds was an Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.

Leah George-Wilson is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (“TWN”) located in North Vancouver. She was the first woman to hold the office of Elected Chief for the TWN, a position she held from 2001-2003 and 2005–2009, and has been involved in the TWN for many years in various capacities. For instance, Ms. George-Wilson was a member of the TWN’s negotiating team in the British Columbia Treaty Process, TWN Self-Government Coordinator, and Director of the TWN Treaty, Land and Resources Department. 

Claire Haaf is an Associate at Whitelaw Twining Law Corporation (“Whitelaw Twining”) in Vancouver. Her legal practice primarily focuses on personal injury litigation. Haaf has experience appearing before both the Provincial and Supreme Court of British Columbia.