Updated Jan. 21, 2026, for clarification

The following King’s Counsel appointees are listed alphabetically by last name, with the year they were called to the B.C. bar in brackets:

Efrat Arbel (2006) is an associate professor at the Peter A. Allard school of law, University of British Columbia (UBC), having earned a bachelor of laws degree from UBC and a doctorate from Harvard law school as a Canada research fellow. Arbel specializes in immigration detention, refugee protection and border governance, shaping federal policy and precedent-setting judicial decisions. She advances law through innovative tools to enhance legal education and public engagement, training Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada members, and judging the UBC moot court. Arbel serves on the editorial board of the University of Oxford’s border criminologies research group and the executive committee of UBC’s centre for migration studies.

Anita Atwal (2006) is a leading employment and human rights lawyer with nearly two decades of experience advancing equity, inclusion, and justice. With a bachelor of laws degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Atwal specializes in workplace investigations, governance and ethics. She is the ethics advisor for Legal Aid BC and the integrity commissioner for the City of Maple Ridge, City of Vancouver and the Squamish Nation integrity review panel. Atwal has also contributed to the governance of the Fraser Health Authority and BC Infrastructure Benefits. A frequent speaker at the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, and the Canadian Bar Association, she received the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia Equality and Diversity Award, and Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Award.

Keith Bergner (1997) is a partner at Lawson Lundell LLP and leads the firm’s Indigenous/Aboriginal law group. A graduate of McGill University, Bergner specializes in Aboriginal/Indigenous and energy-regulatory litigation. Recognized as one of Canada’s top Aboriginal law practitioners, he is regularly published in leading legal journals, such as The Supreme Court Law Review, Energy Law Quarterly and Alberta Law Review, and speaks to his expertise at major conferences, including the Energy Law Forum. A dedicated mentor, Bergner supports Indigenous articled students through the Aboriginal lawyers mentorship program.

Martin Bühler (2001) graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor of laws degree, and specializes in wills and estates, commercial disputes and property litigation. Since 2021, Bühler has served as an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia (CBABC), Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (ALF), holding roles as member-at-large, vice-chair and provincial council representative. In 2025, he became co-chair of ALF and its representative on the CBABC board of directors. Bühler is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Indigenous Bar Association and the Nanaimo County Bar Association, and has previously participated in the Advocates’ Club, which is a Vancouver litigators group, from 2003-09.

Cynthia Callison (1996) is a founding partner of Callison & Hanna, an Indigenous law firm and leader in Indigenous negotiations and governance law. A graduate of UBC’s Sauder school of business and Peter Allard school of law, Callison also holds a master’s in constitutional law from Osgoode Hall. Her expertise includes Indigenous governance and resource negotiations, and leading precedent-setting impact benefit agreements and reconciliation agreements. Connected to the Tahltan Nation, Callison is nationally recognized for advancing Indigenous representation and mentoring Indigenous lawyers. Her speaking engagements include the AME Roundup, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, and Global Energy Minerals and Markets dialogues. Callison has experience teaching courses on Indigenous Peoples, international law and economic development law.

Karen Carteri (2002) is a partner at Nathanson Schachter and Thompson LLP, one of Canada’s leading litigation firms. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, bachelor of laws with distinction, Carteri specializes in complex commercial litigation and arbitration, including property development, mining, partnership disputes, title insurance, director liability, shareholder remedies, civil forfeiture, contract interpretation, financial institution disputes, fraud and cross-border matters. She is ranked among Canada’s top litigators and serves as an arbitrator with the Vancouver International Arbitration Centre. She received the Vancouver Bar Association’s Hyndman Mentorship Award and contributes to continuing legal education programs, pro bono work and community boards.

Tanya Chamberlain (1995) is a leading family law lawyer specializing in out-of-court dispute resolution. A bachelor of laws degree graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Chamberlain is an accredited family law mediator, arbitrator, parenting co-ordinator and collaborative lawyer. She serves as a bencher of the Law Society of B.C. and chairs its Access to Justice and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. She is also a membership on the Health Justice Alliance Steering Committee, Supreme Court Rules Committee and Family Rules Subcommittee, as well as director of the BC Collaborative Roster Society, and chair of the collaborative pro-bono project.

Candace Cho (2009) is the co-founder and principal of Onyx Law Group, a leading estate and family litigation firm. A juris doctorate graduate from the University of British Columbia, Cho specializes in complex estate disputes and family law matters, frequently handling challenging cases at trial and appellate levels. She is a published author, frequent continuing legal education presenter and editorial board member for Verdict magazine. A committed mentor and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, Cho co-founded FACL BC and chairs pro-bono initiatives. Cho’s leadership extends to community service and international development projects.

Robert Deane (2000) is a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and a leading arbitration and litigation lawyer in Canada. A graduate of the University of Victoria (bachelor of laws, gold medallist), he specializes in complex commercial disputes and international arbitration. Deane has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and is recognized globally for expertise in arbitration and litigation. His professional contributions include service on the Law Society Tribunal, the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on Commercial Arbitration and The Advocates’ Society board of directors, as well as authorship and speaking engagements. He is recognized as one of Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia’s most prolific volunteers.

Timothy Delaney (1989) is a leading trial and appellate lawyer at Lindsay Kenney LLP and head of the General Litigation Practice Group. Having earned a bachelor of laws degree from the University of British Columbia, his areas of focus include complex litigation and appellate advocacy. Delaney’s roles include bencher of the Law Society of B.C. and leadership in access-to-justice and equity initiatives. His contributions to the legal profession involve service as president of the Vancouver Bar Association, chair of the Canadian Bar Association Legislation and Law Reform Committee, and director of the Law Courts Inn Society. Active in legal education, Delaney lectures at Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia’s and Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia seminars, and has published papers in the Advocate and the Verdict. A dedicated mentor, Delaney led the firm’s articling students program for more than two decades and regularly judges the UBC moot court.

Michelle Fuchs (1991) is an experienced family law practitioner with expertise in mediation, trials, and appeals. Fuchs earned an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, and has focussed on child protection for virtually her entire career. Since 2002, she has represented the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services, providing specialized expertise in the East Kootenay region.  A committed mentor and community leader, she has served in numerous professional and volunteer roles, including volunteering with and as a board member with the Lawyers Assistance Program, advancing access to justice and promoting integrity within the legal profession.

Kimberly Henders Miller (2000) is the deputy regional Crown counsel for the B.C. Prosecution Service on Vancouver Island. A graduate of the University of Victoria’s faculty of law, Miller specializes in criminal prosecutions, including numerous high-profile homicide cases. She provides strategic leadership to prosecutors throughout Vancouver Island, while continuing to conduct major trials. A dedicated mentor and educator, she has served as faculty for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia advocacy programs, taught law at UVic, and contributed extensively to Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia initiatives. She also serves as an adjudicator for the Law Society Tribunal.

Georald Ingborg (1998) is a partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, and one of British Columbia’s leading securities and mergers and acquisitions lawyers. A bachelor of laws graduate of the University of Victoria, he advises major mining, energy and natural-resource companies on complex transactions and governance matters. He is a passionate mentor and advocate for lawyers with disabilities, and is nationally recognized by Lexpert, Best Lawyers and Chambers Canada. An early leader in developing equity-ownership options, Ingborg helped enable Indigenous communities to participate in large resource projects.

Michael Kleisinger (2006) is a senior counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General, specializing in public law and complex litigation, including professional negligence, injunctions and matters involving challenging litigants. A bachelor of laws graduate of the University of British Columbia, Kleisinger recently served as counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into Community Event Safety. Deeply committed to professional governance and access to justice, he serves on the Law Society’s Practice Standards Committee, chairs the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia’s advisory committee to the judicial council and volunteers extensively with Access Pro Bono.

Emily Lapper (2012) serves as senior litigation counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General, specializing in constitutional and administrative law. A graduate of the University of Victoria’s faculty of law, Lapper clerked at both the B.C. Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada before establishing a distinguished career in public law. Alongside her demanding practice, Lapper remains deeply engaged in professional and community service. Her contributions to legal education include civil procedure scholarship, service as trustee of the Vancouver Public Library and editorial work on The Conduct of Civil Litigation in British Columbia. Additionally, she has coached University of British Columbia’s bilingual Laskin moot team, co-chaired the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia’s Public Lawyers Section, and co-founded the Canadian Association for Progress in Justice.

Kamaljit Lehal (1990) is the founder of Lehal Law, focusing on immigration and mediation. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law, she is nationally recognized for leadership in immigration law and advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence. Her work has driven significant policy reforms, including expedited immigration processes for women fleeing violence. Her service includes roles on the Civil Resolution Tribunal, the B.C. Review Board and numerous Canadian Bar Association committees, including chair of the National Immigration Section. A dedicated mentor and community leader, Lehal champions equity, diversity and trauma-informed legal practice across the profession.

Anthony Leoni (2005) is a partner at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP and a leading authority in class action and personal injury law. A graduate of the University of Calgary and University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law, Leoni focuses on plaintiff-side class actions and serious injury claims, including medical negligence, consumer product liability, prisoners’ rights, financial misconduct and privacy breaches. Recognized by Best Lawyers and Benchmark Litigation, his national practice has influenced precedent-setting case law. A dedicated mentor and legal educator, Leoni contributes to the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia programs and provides pro-bono counsel to the Canadian Mental Health Association, advancing advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Kevin MacDonald (1988) is a partner at Clark Wilson LLP and chair of its financial services group. A graduate of University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law, MacDonald is recognized among B.C.’s leading banking and finance lawyers, advising on major corporate financing projects and specializing in complex debt financing. Named in Best Lawyers in Canada for Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law, he combines legal excellence with community leadership. Founder of Hooplaw, B.C.’s largest legal-charity event, he has raised nearly $1.9 million for youth-focused initiatives and mentored hundreds of law students and young lawyers, earning the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia’s Community Service Award for demonstrating outstanding dedication, service and commitment to the community.

Valerie Mann (1992) is a leading corporate and commercial lawyer and the former managing partner at Lawson Lundell LLP. Mann was the first woman to hold that role in the firm. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law, she specializes in complex transactions, governance and technology law, with national recognition for expertise in venture-fund formation and social-impact investing. She has been recognized for excellence in her field with honors such as Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 and Corporate Lawyer of the Year (Best Lawyers, 2022). Mann actively advances gender diversity and inclusion, mentors and lectures at UBC’s Allard school of law, contributes to continuing legal education programs and has founded initiatives such as the Law Society’s Justicia project.

Heidi McBride (1998) is chief legal and executive officer to the B.C. Superior Courts’ judiciary. A distinguished graduate of the University of Alberta’s bachelor of laws program (1997), McBride advises the chief justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on matters affecting judicial independence and court operations. She leads a team of 175 professionals and oversees strategic planning and policy development. Recognized as a governance leader and dedicated mentor, McBride has advanced access to justice and equity initiatives throughout a distinguished career, shaping policies that strengthen the administration of justice and support inclusive, effective court systems.

Denise McCabe (1997) is a senior partner at Fulton & Company LLP and a leading authority in local government and privacy law. A graduate of Schulich school of law at Dalhousie University, McCabe has spent more than 25 years advising municipalities and public bodies on governance, transparency, and accountability, with recognized expertise in freedom of information and protection of privacy. The first female partner in Fulton’s 119-year history, she founded Kamloops’ first women’s professional mentoring group and has mentored countless lawyers. McCabe also served as chair of Thompson Rivers University’s law advisory committee and president of the Elizabeth Fry Society, advancing equity and community engagement throughout a distinguished career.

Lee Nevens (2013) is senior counsel with the Department of Justice Canada (DOJ) , specializing in complex constitutional litigation. A juris doctorate graduate of University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law, Nevens served as president of the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch (2024-25), championing access to justice and judicial independence, as well as equity, diversity and inclusion. A national leader on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, Nevens co-chairs DOJ’s anti-discrimination initiatives and mentors widely. Nevens has earned multiple honours, including the Canadian Bar Association Touchstone Award, Justice National EDI Award, King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Deputy Minister’s Award for leadership in complex litigation.

Daniel Porte (1997) is senior Crown counsel with the B.C. Prosecution Service, specializing in major crime prosecutions. A bachelor of laws graduate of Osgoode Hall law school, he has more than 25 years of experience advancing excellence in criminal law. A dedicated mentor and educator, Porte trains new Crown counsel and provides legal education to police and community organizations. Throughout a distinguished career, he has exemplified integrity and public service, strengthening the administration of justice in British Columbia.

Chantelle Rajotte (2010) is senior litigation counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General’s Legal Services Branch, specializing in complex constitutional and administrative law. A bachelor of laws graduate from Dalhousie University’s Schulich school of law, Rajotte brings expertise in commercial litigation, class actions and public law. A dedicated mentor and educator, she regularly speaks on litigation strategy, fosters inclusive teams and writes about constitutional, Aboriginal and environmental law. Her contributions include volunteering as a moot court judge, presenting on topics such as expert evidence and chambers advocacy, and advancing professional development through mentorship and continuing legal education programs, strengthening access to justice and equity in the legal profession.

Banafsheh Sokhansanj (1993) is senior general counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, specializing in constitutional, administrative, human rights and class-action litigation. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan (bachelor of laws, gold medalist and Jessup World Cup champion) and University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law (master of laws), she is a prolific legal educator, adjunct professor and co-author of the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia practice manuals. Her contributions include teaching immigration law at UBC, guiding moot teams, publishing extensively, and presenting on topics such as administrative law, appellate practice and the Charter. A dedicated mentor and leader, Sokhansanj advances equity and inclusion, while shaping Canada’s most complex legal strategies with integrity and excellence.

Hilton Sue (1993) is a partner at Oyen Wiggs Green and Mutala LLP, practising exclusively in intellectual property law since 1997. A bachelor of laws graduate of University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard school of law, he specializes in patents, trademarks and technology licensing. Sue is a registered patent and trademark agent in Canada and the U.S., as well as a certified licensing professional. He has held leadership roles with the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Licensing Executives Society, and actively mentors through continuing legal education programs. Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada and LEXPERT for more than a decade, Sue has advanced intellectual property policy and best practices nationally and internationally.

Chris Tollefson (1987) is a professor of law at the University of Victoria and founding executive director of the Pacific Centre for Environmental Law and Litigation (CELL). An LL.M. graduate of Osgoode Hall, Tollefson is one of Canada’s leading environmental law scholars and co-author of the country’s foremost environmental law textbook. A dedicated mentor and educator, he pioneered experiential learning initiatives and directed UVic’s Environmental Law Centre clinical program, training generations of public-interest advocates. Other contributions include leadership roles with Ecojustice and advancing environmental law education nationally, shaping policy and strengthening access to justice through scholarship and advocacy.                                 

Mark Tweedy (1982) is a highly regarded mediator, arbitrator, and court-appointed adjudicator with a bachelor of laws degree from University of British Columbia (UBC). Following a distinguished career in civil litigation, he transitioned to alternative dispute resolution in 2004 and has since conducted more than 2,000 mediations across Canada and the U.S. A graduate of the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s mediation program, Tweedy holds the Chartered Mediator and Chartered Arbitrator designations, which are the highest in Canada. A dedicated mentor, he teaches the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia’s course, fundamentals of mediation, and serves on the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section executive. His contributions include more than 20 years of volunteer service with Lawyers Assistance Program of B.C., promoting lawyer wellness and access to justice.

Gib van Ert (2004) is a partner at Olthuis van Ert, practising civil and public law litigation. Holding a master of arts in law from the University of Cambridge and a master in laws degree from the University of Toronto, van Ert is a nationally recognized authority on the application of international law in Canadian courts. He is the author of the widely cited Using International Law in Canadian Courts, now in its third edition. A committed mentor and educator, he regularly speaks at continuing legal education programs and serves as president of the Canadian Council on International Law.

Jill Yates (2002) is a partner and regional managing partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, leading complex class actions and commercial litigation. A bachelor of laws graduate from the University of British Columbia, she serves as editor-in-chief and contributing author of multiple editions of Defending Class Actions in Canada, and is a frequent contributor to continuing legal education programs. Yates chaired McCarthy Tétrault’s National Gender Equality Action Group and serves as board chair for BGC South Coast BC. Recognized for advancing diversity and mentorship, she regularly speaks on litigation strategy, fostering inclusion and excellence in the legal profession.

Rosalie Yazzie (2010) is general counsel to the Syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs Executive Council and senior legal counsel to the Okanagan Nation Alliance. With a juris doctorate from the University of British Columbia and a master in business administration degree in Indigenous business and leadership from Simon Fraser University, Yazzie specializes in Indigenous rights, governance and transboundary negotiations. She has authored the Syilx Okanagan Language and Family Declarations and serves on Canada’s Columbia River Treaty negotiation team. A committed mentor and legal educator, Yazzie chairs national conferences, lectures widely at institutions, including University of Victoria’s faculty of law and UBC Okanagan, and advances Indigenous legal orders and transformative governance.