About Us

LAPBC is an independent organization of members of the BC legal community (lawyers, articling and law students, judges, families and support staff). We provide confidential counselling, peer support and referral services to help people deal with personal problems – including alcohol and drug dependence, stress and anxiety, depression and other issues. These are all treatable illnesses, not moral issues.

As legal professionals ourselves, we understand the unique problems and challenges that all legal professionals face. Our committed volunteers and staff provide confidential, compassionate, and knowledgeable help, including outreach, support and education. We are non-judgmental. We do not prejudge or pre-assess the person. We are concerned with observations of behaviours, conduct, and consequences and we work with individuals to help them come up with solutions that work for that individual. We seek to foster collegiality among our peers and to promote health and well-being in our communities.

Whether you are seeking information for yourself or someone else, the LAPBC website aims to help. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our Lawyer Counsellors

Volunteers & Board of Directors

LAPBC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and run by dedicated staff with the assistance of committed peer volunteers. The BC Law Society collects a levy from Law Society members to fund our services, but otherwise we are entirely independent. All inquiries and interactions with us are strictly confidential.

LAPBC could not exist without the support of hundreds of volunteers from the BC legal community. These committed individuals allow LAPBC to continue its lifesaving mission – they're located throughout the province, participate in training sessions and share a deep conviction that the volunteer work they do makes a positive impact on both individuals and communities.

Board of Directors
John B. Arnesen
Retired

John Arnesen was a founding partner of Lindsay LLP. He was a civil litigator and practiced law in the area of general insurance litigation since 1989 on retainers by professional liability, general liability and property insurers. John has long volunteered as a judge for the Professional Legal Training Course and has presented to the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. on the topic of insurance law. Downhill skiing, kayaking and travel are pursuits John enjoys when he is not practicing law.

Robin N. McFee, K.C.
Sugden McFee & Roos LLP, Vancouver

A founding partner of Sugden, McFee & Roos, Robin McFee is rated as one of the leading British Columbia practitioners in the areas of corporate and commercial litigation and labour and employment law by both Lexpert and Best Lawyers in Canada. Deeply involved in professional education throughout his career, Robin McFee is the Session Leader and a lecturer on the “Art of Cross-Examination” for the University of British Columbia Law School Advocacy Course.

Ian W. Burroughs
Kerfoot Burroughs LLP, Vancouver

Ian is a solicitor at the law firm of Kerfoot Burroughs LLP. Ian has been a client, volunteer, Director/Officer and general supporter of the Lawyer’s Assistance Program since 2008. Ian is also an active member of the recovery community and is passionate about supporting the legal community’s mental health initiatives.

Jaime D. Ashby
North Shore Law LLP

Jaime is an experienced lawyer and a partner practising in the solicitors’ group at North Shore Law. She treasures her children, the outdoors, work-life balance, and the little things in life. Jaime has been a volunteer for many years.

Mark Tweedy
Mediator & Arbitrator, Vancouver

Mark is a mediator, arbitrator, and non-practicing member of the Law Society. He has been active in LAPBC since coming into recovery in 2002. He is currently the LAPBC President, and also continues as a volunteer.

Dawn M. Kuehn
Family Law Practitioner, Kelowna

Dawn has been a family law lawyer and sole practitioner in Kelowna, B.C. since 2008. She graduated from the University of Victoria in 2003 and was called to the bar of British Columba in 2005. Dawn has been a member of LAPBC since 2003 and joined the Board as a Director in 2018.

Merle Alexander, K.C.
‍Miller Titerle, Victoria

Merle is a member and hereditary chief of Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation on the mid-coast of British Columbia. He practices Indigenous Resource Law empowering Nations through Title and Rights affirmation, sustainable economic development and environmental conservation. Merle adapts his solicitor experience and skill set to the infinitely emerging and developing needs of Indigenous clients.

Brian Daley
Provincial Court Judge

Brian was a lawyer in general practice in the North for 23 years and became a LAPBC volunteer about 25 years ago after hearing Derek speak at one of the Annual Conventions. In 2005, he was appointed a Provincial Court Judge and as of May 2021, he continues to hold this position, albeit as a Senior Judge. He was involved with the Judges' Health Program for several years. After expressing his admiration for LAPBC two years ago, Brian was invited to serve on its Board of Directors.

Hardeep Chahal
Morelli Chertkow, Kamloops

Hardeep received his Law Degree at the University of Victoria in 2003 and a Masters of Law in Business from York University in 2021. He has been practicing in Kamloops since 2003. Hardeep is also a University Instructor the School of Business and Economics at Thompson Rivers University. He is currently a Treasurer for People in Motion, a member of the Indigenization Working Group within the School of Business and Economics at TRU, and a volunteer for Kamloops Classics Swimming.