EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lali Pawa has over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector and in public legal education and information services. Lali enjoys leading a team of staff and volunteers to create an informed society that is knowledgeable about the law, where individuals are able to recognize and exercise their rights, fulfill their legal obligations, address their legal problems and perform their duties as participants in a democratic society. Prior to her role at SALCBC, Lali was the BC Program Manager and Team Lead at the Justice Education Society for over 16 years. Lali values collaborative leadership that supports best practice within a cultural context. She has built strong connections with stakeholders and is committed to harnessing these to address specific social and legal inequities that impact the South Asian community.

MANAGING LAWYER

Meena Dhillon (she/her/hers), is a lawyer and social worker with extensive experience in both public and private sector. Meena is a settler on the lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and a Canadian born Punjabi Sikh child of immigrants. Meena’s legal practices is focused on dispute resolution, children’s law, child welfare, personal injury and wills/estates. Meena has served as a Sessional Instructor with the University of the Fraser Valley since 2010, where she has taught a number of social work courses. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. She was called to the Province of British Columbia Bar in 2009. She is passionate about social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Meena is a co-founder and former Chair of the South Asian Legal Clinic of BC and is excited to be taking on the new role of managing lawyer for the clinic.

STAFF LAWYER

Jasmine was born and raised in Surrey, BC. Jasmine obtained her law degree from Thompson Rivers University and was called to the BC bar in 2021. She completed her articles at an administrative law firm, where she assisted clients with their WorkSafeBC and Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit claims. During law school, Jasmine was an executive member of the South Asian Law Students Association and the Black Law Students Association. Jasmine is committed to improving access to justice for marginalized communities. In law school, she provided low-barrier legal services to the public through the Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic and the Law Students Legal Advice Program. She also ran a drop-in wellness program for law students.

FINANCE OFFICER

Krishnee Mayooran is a CPA and has over 10 years of experience working as an Accountant. She is a resourceful, self-motivated individual, with the ability to work supportively within a team environment, and communicates effectively at all levels. Krishnee brings an enthusiastic, diligent and dedicated attitude together with the ability to adapt readily to varying job demands.

Krishnee is originally from Sri Lanka and speaks Tamil fluently. Apart from working with numbers, she enjoys her family time and ensures to take the time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and running.

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jaskamal Singh is an eccentric marketing specialist, graphic designer, and strategist. She’s got a keen eye for detail and a passion for all things colours, shapes, graphics and visuals.

With her heart in the community, she is passionate about working with non-profit organizations that are committed to catalyzing and empowering their communities. Jaskamal is a true impactor, leveraging her business, strategy, design and community experience to provide clients with the ultimate experience. She’s a true visionary bringing your visions to life.

CHAIR

Ravneet is a Human Rights Advisor at the University of British Columbia, where she responds to discrimination concerns and supports UBC leaders and departments to create and uphold human rights-respecting policies, practices, interactions and environments. She is a first-generation immigrant, settler of colour on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Prior to joining UBC, she practiced as a lawyer in BC supporting vulnerable migrant workers to assert their legal rights in the context of employment, human rights, and immigration law. Ravneet holds an LLM from UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law and a BA and LLB (Honours) from the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, India. She is passionate about her work to empower people and foster more equitable and inclusive societies.

CO-VICE CHAIR

Afifa Hashimi is an associate lawyer at Moore Edgar Lyster LLP practising labour, human rights, employment, and administrative law. She holds a law degree from the University of Victoria and a BA (Honours) in Political Science from Simon Fraser University. Afifa is a Muslim woman settler of Afghan and Indian ancestry. She is passionate about intersectional gender and racial justice, workers' rights, and advocating for people who face discrimination. Afifa has engaged in advocacy, research, writing, and facilitation for several public interest and social justice organizations. She strives to be an active member of her communities and contribute to increasing equity and access to justice. Afifa served as Vice President - External of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC (FACL BC) and contributed to the organization’s advocacy work.

CO-VICE CHAIR

Kiran is a family lawyer and mediator at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. Kiran Kang obtained a BA in Political Science and Sociology from the University of British Columbia in 2011, a JD from the University of Victoria in 2013, and was called to the B.C. Bar in 2014. Since her call to the Bar, Kiran has primarily practiced in the area of family law and she continues to maintain a broad family law practice including drafting cohabitation, marriage, and separation agreements, advising on complex financial matters, child related matters, and issues relating to spousal support. Kiran is also an experienced litigator and regularly appears in both the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia.

Kiran is passionate about volunteerism, in particular providing access to justice to individuals who face systemic barriers, and is delighted to volunteer with the South Asian Legal Clinic of BC, which embodies the core values she shares

Secretary

Harmit is an employment and human rights lawyer at Forte Workplace Law. Harmit obtained her JD degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2020. During law school, Harmit volunteered with the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), where she provided research support in the areas of constitutional and human rights law. Prior to attending law school, Harmit completed her BA at the University of British Columbia. Harmit is also a volunteer lawyer with Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR). Having grown up in a lower-income and non-English-speaking household, Harmit understands the barriers faced by immigrant communities and is committed to improving access to justice.

TREASURER

T. Bob Shahi recently moved to White Rock, BC, after retiring from the Government of Northwest Territories after 35 years of service. He was the Director of the Internal Audit Bureau (IAB) for the last 19 years and served in various other audit positions with IAB. T. Bob was assistant operations manager at the Bank of Nova Scotia for eight years when the IAB recruited him. Recently, he received Lifetime Membership from CPA NWT/NU. T. Bob also received the Premier's Award for Excellence and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government Internal Audit Council of Canada. T. Bob has taken a leadership role in professional and not-for-profit organizations, such as Chairing the accounting body board in NWT/Nunavut and serving on the Canada Board for accounting body. He has Chaired several local, regional, and national committees.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Steven obtained his Juris Doctor from Thompson Rivers University and was called to the BC bar in 2019. Throughout law school, Steven volunteered for the Society of Law Students and for the South Asian Law Students’ Association. Prior to law school, Steven obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. Steven currently practices local government law, with a focus on litigation and bylaw enforcement. In his spare time, Steven enjoys skiing, playing with his dog, and learning languages. Born and raised in Surrey, BC, Steven wants to make a meaningful impact by ensuring legal information and representation is accessible to the most vulnerable in our communities.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Alisha is a lawyer at PwC Law LLP practicing primarily tax litigation and dispute resolution. Alisha obtained her Juris Doctor from Thompson Rivers University, where she volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada to record two public legal education podcasts and the South Asian Law Students’ Association. Alisha has also volunteered on FACL BC's Advocacy Committee and with the Elizabeth Fry Society. In her spare time, Alisha enjoys hiking, hot yoga, and trying out new recipes. Alisha is particularly passionate about increasing access to justice for seniors in the South Asian community.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Deepali is a communications professional who supports the people and process side of organizational change. She has a MA in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University, a General BA from University of British Columbia and is a project manager and adult educator. Deepali has been an integral part of SALCBC’s Outreach, Marketing, and Events Committee over this last year.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Ranjit is a communications professional with experience working in academia and health care and with non-profits and government. Ranjit earned a BA in communications from Royal Roads, a MA in leadership from the University of Guelph, and most recently, a certificate in equity, diversity, and inclusion from the University of BC. Nationally certified with her mental health first aid certificate, she is a passionate advocate for mental well-being and gender equity.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Pam Bhatti is born and raised in the lower mainland and is a practicing lawyer called to the BC Bar in 2003. She has worked as Crown Counsel in both Vancouver and Surrey for the past 20 years, prosecuting matters at both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of BC levels. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 kids, two dogs and Reggie the Cat. She enjoys volunteering with service and rights based organizations and has a keen interest in supporting the work that SALCBC does.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Preet obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria and was called to the British Columbia bar in 2021. While pursuing her law degree, Preet completed a term at The Law Centre, where she appeared before the Provincial Court and successfully represented her clients in Criminal and Family law matters. Preet also volunteered with the Pro Bono Students Canada and was elected as the Health and Wellness Representative for the Law Students' Society. Preet currently volunteers as a secretary for the Abbotsford Youth Commission, an organization that provides services and programs for youth in Abbotsford, BC.