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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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Sandy is a leading personal injury lawyer in British Columbia. Alongside her colleague Marc Kazimirski, she is also an adjunct professor teaching Law 433C: Special Topics in Tort Law (Personal Injury) at UBC Allard. She is a past president of the Vancouver Bar Association and a past president of the Lawyers’ Inn Society (Law Courts Inn). Prior to joining the plaintiffs’ bar in 2016, she worked for more than a decade as insurance defence counsel, mostly in aviation, occupier’s liability, and medical malpractice matters. For the past five years, she has worked exclusively for plaintiffs with complex personal injury claims for losses arising from historical sexual abuse, traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, and chronic pain.
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Geoff is a Crown Counsel practicing in northern British Columbia and has been involved with LAPBC since 2005. Geoff has a long history of volunteer service to the bar through LAPBC and three terms as a Law Society Bencher. He is the creator and organizer of the “Law Talks” conference held annually in Prince George. Geoff is passionate about access to justice, healthy law practices, and adventuring in the spectacular wilderness regions where he has the privilege of working and living. He joined the LAPBC Board of Directors in 2024.
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Richard loves the law and the people he works with. He is passionate about workplace issues and has a very active workplace law practice. He aims to provide legal solutions that are practical and make situations better; not worse or more contentious. Richard's years-long legal practice and trial work have made him an effective advisor and representative. He is also a frequent writer, presenter and media contributor. Richard's personal experiences drew him into LAPBC several years ago as a client. He then quickly also became a member of the LAPBC volunteer community and, more recently, a Director. Richard is passionate about living family life to the fullest and when not in the office, he can be found with his wife, Shellee, and their two sons!
Angela is a securities lawyer practicing in Vancouver at Boughton Law Corporation. Her solicitor's practice is focused on securities, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and corporate transactions. She has volunteered with LAPBC since 2023 and joined the board in 2025. Angela also volunteers with the annual Hoop Law Charity Basketball Tournament.
Sarah has an intimate understanding of the pain and adversity associated with loss and addiction, as well as the strength, resilience, and growth that can emerge through such experiences. In her practice, Sarah strives to work in a trauma-informed, client-centred manner. She focuses primarily on mental health law, representing individuals certified under the Mental Health Act. She is passionate about serving these vulnerable clients and supporting them to navigate complex and challenging circumstances with dignity and respect.
Sumit Ahuja is Principal & Managing Lawyer of Ahuja Litigation Mediation and Arbitration. He travels throughout the province to assist his clients and has appeared in the Supreme Court of Yukon and the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta. Sumit has been in recovery from alcohol and substances since March 2, 2017. His addictions almost took his life. Since then, he has been an advocate for breaking down stigma associated with mental health and addictions. His focus is on helping people suffering from addiction in hopes of breaking the cultural secrecy that surrounds addiction. Sumit was assisted by LAPBC before and after treatment. He has seen the benefits of LAPBC and is excited to be part of the Board to assist in moving LAPBC forward.
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