SURREY BAR ASSOCIATION

Mr. Paul Kent, President

P. G. Kent is a senior litigation lawyer at Kane Shannon Weiler LLP. He is a barrister with a wide ranging litigation practice, covering everything from contractual and tort litigation to corporate disputes, defamation cases, legal bill disputes, lawyer negligence, and white-collar criminal defence. With more than thirty three years of litigation experience, Mr. Kent has conducted well over 100 trials and hearings along with having made countless appearances in Supreme Court Chambers. Mr. Kent has appeared as counsel throughout the Province, and has appeared before the Alberta Provincial Court, the British Columbia Police Commission, the British Columbia Securities Commission, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

Mr. Kent is an active member and former Governor and Executive member of the British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association. He is one of only two Canadian lawyers invited to membership in the United States First Amendment Lawyers Association. Mr. Kent formerly served as an elected member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) British Columbia Provincial Council for Westminster County and as a member of the CBA Judicial Advisory Committee. For over twenty-five years, Mr. Kent has been a guest lecturer and instructor for the Law Society of British Columbia Bar Admission program and the Trial Lawyers Association presenting on the subjects of criminal law, civil litigation,  and the art of cross-examination.  

Paul chairs our social committee and is a member of the SBA professional development committee.

Mr. Peter Buxton KC, Vice-President

Peter was called to the Bar in BC in 1981. He is Associate Counsel with Panorama Legal LLP, and he is a rostered mediator (RRM) with Mediate BC. He is a Past President of the Surrey Bar Association. Peter has appeared at all levels of court in B.C. and before both civil and criminal juries.  As a mediator Peter focuses on personal injury, wills, estate and WESA matters, and elder law. Peter is a member of our Surrey Inns of Court organizing committee and Social committee.

Rajvir Nagra, Secretary

Rajvir is a commercial litigator at Hamilton Duncan Law Corporation and practices in the areas of construction, employment, debt collection, contract disputes and real estate litigation. Rajvir regularly appears at the Residential Tenancy Branch, Provincial Court of BC and Supreme Court of BC.

In addition to his role as Secretary, Rajvir is a member of the Social Committee.

Mr. Gordon Kabanuk, Director at Large

After maintaining an independent practice in White Rock for many years, Gord is now working for the BC Prosecution Service appearing regularly before the British Columbia Review Board on behalf of the Provincial Crown.  

Gord has held various portfolios with the SBA over the years including two terms as President.  He currently oversees our website and communications with Joey Doyle, acts co-chair for the Surrey Court Mental Health Committee, and is a member of the organizing committee for the Surrey Inns of Court. 

Ms. Cheryl Stanley, Director at Large

Cheryl began her career in the Law Courts of England before immigrating to Canada in 1996.   Until recently, her practice here in BC consisted entirely of federal prosecution work. She now practices with the Provincial Crown in Surrey.   

Cheryl was President of the SBA from 2019-2020 and currently  is part of the Annual Westminster County Bar Associations Golf Tournament committee and is co-chair of the organizing committee for the Surrey Inns of Court.

Zain is a criminal defence lawyer practicing with the Surrey firm of Stern Shapray.  He is active in the soccer community and speaks fluent Hindi.

Zain is a member of our court users' and professional development committees.  Zain is the main SBA contact for the Barrister's Lounge at Surrey Provincial Court.

Ms. Christie Gilmour (she/her), Director at Large

Christie is an employment and workplace human rights lawyer who advises on all aspects of workplace law, from hiring to firing and everything in between.  She practices at Forte Workplace Law where she acts for employees, employers and as a neutral third-party investigator. Christie is a member of our social committee.

Mr. Soleman Hashmi, Director at Large

Soleman is the founder and principal of Hashmi Law a local firm focusing primarily on personal injury law.  He is fluent in French, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi and also speaks Spanish. In addition to his role as a director for the SBA, Soleman is on the board of directors for the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association and was previously on the board of directors for the Surrey International Music Marathon.

Soleman is a member of our professional development committee.

Mr. Navdip Chhabra (he/him), Director at Large

Navdip is a litigator, primarily practicing in the area of criminal defence. Navdip also assists clients with traffic and administrative driving offences, as well as select civil litigation matters. He has appeared before the Provincial Court of BC, the Supreme Court of BC, RoadSafetyBC (formerly, the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles), and the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Jiya Dassan, Director at Large

Jiya practices in the areas of commercial litigation and estate litigation. She practices at Hamilton Duncan Law Corporation where she also serves on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Jiya is fluent in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. She regularly appears before the Provincial Court of BC and the Supreme Court of BC. Jiya is a member of the professional development committee.

Mr. Joey Doyle (he/him), Director at Large

Joey is the sole proprietor of Doyle Defence, where he primarily practices criminal defence, tenancy defence, and refugee law.  Joey oversees the SBA website and communications with Gordon Kabanuk and is a member of our social committee.