SURREY BAR ASSOCIATION

Ms. Chelsea Dubeau (she/her), Vice President

Chelsea is a partner at the firm of Hamilton Duncan and practices primarily in the areas of estates and trust litigation. 

Chelsea was SBA President from 2020 to 2021.  She currently oversees our membership portfolio and is a member of our finance.

Mr. Jatinder Singh Gill, Treasurer

In addition to his role as Treasurer, Jatinder is the chair of our finance committee and a member of our professional development committee.

Graduating from the Faculty of Law at TRU, Jatinder also has a degree in Business Administration from SFU.

Jatinder was called to the Bar in BC in May 2023 and has experience as a corporate solicitor, particularly in the area of corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Ms. Gurleen Randhawa, Secretary

Gurleen practices with Panorama Legal LLP in Surrey.  She practices primarily in the areas of commercial litigation focusing on real estate disputes, shareholders disputes, construction litigation, and debt collections.  She also deals with administrative matters where professionals in healthcare and real estate are being investigated by their regulatory bodies.  Gurleen has appeared before the Provincial Court of BC, the Supreme Court of BC, the BC Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court.  Outside of work, Gurleen enjoys trying new recipes (and sharing with her loved ones), long walks, and travelling.  In addition to her role as secretary for the SBA, Gurleen is a member of our finance and membership committees.

Mr. Peter Buxton KC, Past President 2023

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.

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.

Mr. Junki Hong, Director at Large

Working with KSW Lawyers, Junki focuses on employment law including wrongful dismissals, employment standards, employment contracts and human rights claims.  He also advises clients with commercial litigation concerns such shareholder, lease and contractual disputes.  

Junki is a member of our professional development and social committees. 

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. Spencer Hamade, Director at Large

Spencer practices with the Provincial Crown in Surrey.  He 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.

Mr. Gurinder Cheema, Director at Large

Gurinder practices with Panorama Legal LLP in Surrey.  He practices primarily in the areas of commercial and civil litigation.  Gurinder also deals with administrative matters.  He has assisted in matters before all levels of court in British Columbia and several administrative bodies.  Gurinder is a member of our Surrey Inns of Court and professional development committees. 

Mr. Paul Kent, Director at Large

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. 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.