Annual General Meeting 2025 – November 20, 2025
The Vancouver Bar Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2025 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. The AGM is an opportunity to connect with other VBA members, while supporting friends and colleagues who are seeking positions as members at large.
The VBA members who will be vying for your support and votes at the AGM are (in alphabetical order) particular, the evening will feature:
Liam Babbitt
As an active member of the Vancouver Bar Association and a frequent attendee at its events, Liam Babbitt is seeking election to the VBA Executive as a Member-at-Large.
Liam believes the VBA plays a central role in fostering the collegial spirit that defines Vancouver’s legal community. The VBA’s many social events and other initiatives brings the Vancouver bar together, strengthens relationships, and contributes to the culture that makes practising law in Vancouver so rewarding.
If elected, Liam is committed to supporting and expanding the VBA’s excellent event offerings to ensure they remain vibrant and well-attended. Liam also pledges to strongly support the VBA’s continued supply of caffeine and snacks in the barristers’ lounge and will vehemently oppose any efforts to remove those essential rations by any means necessary.
Quick as a rabbit, vote Babbitt!
Brenna Fahey
I am a fourth-year disputes associate at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. I am running for Member-at-Large of the Vancouver Bar Association because I believe strongly in the value of community within our profession.
As lawyers, we work in demanding and sometimes adversarial environments. The VBA provides opportunities to come together in a collegial setting. I look forward to contributing to VBA’s efforts to strengthen the legal community, which ultimately contributes to members’ well-being.
My experiences as the Co-Chair of the Events Committee for the Women’s Law Forum of the Canadian Bar Association and on the United Way Committee at BLG will help me succeed in at the VBA. In those roles, I planned and delivered a wide range of events that enabled lawyers to build networks and share experiences. I have developed strong event-planning and organizational skills, which will serve me as a Member-at-Large of the VBA.
If elected, I hope to contribute to the VBA by supporting engaging, accessible events that reflect the diversity of our membership.
Candace Formosa
Candace Formosa is running for the VBA board because she believes our legal community thrives when we’re connected, supported and inspired. She is committed to building stronger relationships across the Association and creating opportunities for members at all stages to feel included, involved and valued. Her love of hiking, and her background in cheering others to victory reflects her steady determination and motivation to make others shine. With her blend of practical focus, positivity, and community-driven leadership, she’s ready to help guide the VBA forward. Vote For Candace – she’s committed to helping the VBA climb further and cheer louder, together
Ian Gauthier
Ian practices criminal law at Mines and Company in downtown Vancouver as defense counsel and as a contract prosecutor for the Crown. He graduated from UVic Law in 2018 where he had the privilege of serving as President of the Law Students’ Society, as well as Board Director and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the UVic Law Journal. Prior to his admission to the BC Bar in 2021, Ian had an extensive career working in criminal justice in policy, administration, and on the front-line.
Small firms and sole-practitioners are vital to Vancouver’s legal community. Small firms are on the front-line of access to justice and regularly work with the most vulnerable people in our community. The VBA offers an opportunity to provide much needed tools and resources. Vote for Ian for Member-at-Large to advocate for increased collegiality, engagement, and support within the Vancouver Bar for the small firm lawyers making a big impact on our city.
Naz Khodarahmi
I am a lawyer at macushlaw, a law firm and benefit company committed to giving back to our community. Our firm sets non-billable service targets for every team member and contributes through pro bono legal services, meaningful policy and research work, and a variety of volunteer initiatives. We also provide reduced rates to non-profits, charities, impact-driven businesses, and individuals facing historical or present prejudice, accessibility barriers, or socioeconomic challenges.
I entered the field of law so that I could make big world impacts and further the public good while simultaneously contributing in small ways. My firm has provided the opportunity to achieve these goals by prioritizing community contribution as well as high-quality legal services.
I love practicing law because every day I get to read, write, think, talk, and argue – all things I would do anyway. I spend my weekends exploring the various parks in BC, taking out Fender the dog, reading fiction, and playing music.
I am running for election as a Member-at-Large for the Vancouver Bar Association to help strengthen our legal community, support fellow lawyers, and advance initiatives that foster equity, accessibility, and professional development within the Bar.
Makaela Peters
As a nerdy solicitor, law school student union board alum, and extreme extrovert, I am thrilled to seek election to the VBA board. As a lawyer who has practiced at a national firm, boutique firm, and midsize firm, I want to make sure that VBA events are welcoming to lawyers of all types (whether or not you have an expense budget at your disposal). To me, that looks like making sure we have free and low-cost events throughout the year, in addition to some fun show-stoppers. I’m very excited to be throwing my hat in the ring this year!
Jennifer Wong
Jennifer Wong (she/they) is an associate in the Real Estate Group at Richards Buell Sutton LLP, with a focus on secured financing transactions and commercial leasing matters. She regularly represents both institutional and private lenders, as well as borrowers, with respect to loan transactions, including the preparation, negotiation, and registration of security documents. In addition, Jennifer advises commercial landlords and tenants by preparing, reviewing, and negotiating lease agreements, renewals, extensions, and modifications. She was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2020.
Jennifer has presented at the CLEBC’s Annual Residential Real Estate Conference and is a contributing author to the Commercial Leasing: Annotated Precedents, 2025 Edition.
She is an active participant in the legal and broader community, having served as director for non-profits and volunteer lawyer with Access Pro Bono. Jennifer wants to use her board experience and strategic planning skills to plan events and initiatives for the VBA.
The AGM Silent Auction is now open through this link, featuring a 5-night stay at the Mayan Palace in Riviera for two! Check back as more items may be added in the coming weeks. All proceeds will go to supporting Access Pro Bono and bidding will close at the conclusion of this year’s AGM. Thank you for your generous support of Access Pro Bono and access to justice services to British Columbians.
