The Centre for Business Law is growing its Dean’s Advisory Committee, adding eight new members this month. We are delighted to welcome Karim Amlani, Nicco Bautista, Gigi Chen-Kuo, Nazma Lee, Peter O’Callaghan, Clifford Proudfoot, QC, Lorna Strong and Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, QC, as the Committee’s newest members.
“These dynamic leaders within the business legal community bring an incredible range of expertise to the Centre for Business Law,” says Allard Law Professor and Centre’s Director Dr. Carol Liao. “We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
The Dean’s Advisory Committee provides invaluable guidance and advice on the strategic activities of the Centre for Business Law. The new members will join the Committee’s Chair, Mitchell Gropper, QC, and five continuing members, Ryan Black, Janet Grove, QC, Ted Koffman, Lori Mathison and Tom Theodorakis.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be able to chair the Advisory Committee composed of an illustrious and accomplished diverse group of members,” says Gropper. “Together it demonstrates the growing recognition of the Centre for Business Law.”
The newly expanded Committee’s next meeting takes place March 1.
Meet the new members
Karim Amlani is the Senior Legal Director at Hootsuite, where he provides practical legal advice supporting the velocity of Hootsuite’s business. Prior to joining Hootsuite, Karim practiced in the Capital Markets and Information Technology groups at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.
Nicco Bautista is the Director, Estate Planning, at BMO Private Wealth. Nicco is a key advisor to families on trust and estate, business succession, and philanthropic issues.
Gigi Chen-Kuo is the Chief Operating Officer at TransLink. Gigi is also a director on the boards of Consumer Protection BC and Commissionaires BC and the chair of TransLink’s Captive insurance company and the subsidiary that employs Transit Police personnel.
Nazma Lee is Senior Legal Counsel at the British Columbia Securities Commission. Since joining the BCSC in 2009, Nazma has worked on policy projects, including capital raising exemptions, corporate governance, proxy voting and takeover bids.
Peter O’Callaghan is the Office Managing Partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Vancouver. Peter's practice encompasses all types of mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions.
Clifford G. Proudfoot, QC is the Managing Partner of Lawson Lundell, where his practice is focused on environmental and Indigenous litigation. He is currently Lawson Lundell’s Chief Inclusiveness Officer.
Lorna Strong is Deputy General Counsel, Global Trade and Receivables Finance at HSBC Bank. Her work involves diverse areas of practice, including supporting the development of blockchain technology for trade finance and problem-solving disruptions of trade due to COVID-19.
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson Gid7ahl Gudsllaay, QC is the Principal Lawyer at White Raven Law. Since 1995 she has represented the Haida Nation at all levels of court. Terri-Lynn has published widely and lectures internationally in Indigenous law and is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Advisory Committee.
Ongoing members
- Ryan J. Black, Partner, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
- Janet Grove, QC, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
- Ted Koffman, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- Lori Mathison, President & CEO, Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia
- Mitchell Gropper, QC, Partner, Farris LLP
- Tom Theodorakis, Co-Chair, B.C., Business Law, Co-Chair, Forest Products, Office Management Partner, McMillan LLP
2021 Annual Report
The Centre for Business Law at the Allard School of Law is a vibrant intellectual hub for the scholarship and practice of business law within Canada and internationally.
The Centre for Business Law’s 2021 annual report provides a snapshot of the Centre’s activities over the past year. The report covers the Centre’s educational programming, faculty research and new initiatives supported by the Centre, including the newly launched Anti-Racism and the Law Initiative.
Download the CBL Annual Report (PDF)
