Husband and wife team of Joven Narwal and Cheryl D’Sa are among 26 lawyers who are being recognized with the King’s counsel (KC) designation for exceptional contributions to the legal profession in British Columbia. “The King’s counsel designation serves as a testament to the exceptional dedication and contributions these lawyers have made to our legal landscape,” said Niki Sharma, KC, Attorney General. “It signifies an elevated standing among peers and clients, showcasing their unwavering commitment to unparalleled service and expertise. I’m honoured to recognize this esteemed group for their invaluable impact on our community, and on the B.C. justice system.”

By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – Husband and wife team of Joven Narwal and Cheryl D’Sa are among 26 lawyers who are being recognized with the King’s counsel (KC) designation for exceptional contributions to the legal profession in British Columbia.

“The King’s counsel designation serves as a testament to the exceptional dedication and contributions these lawyers have made to our legal landscape,” said Niki Sharma, KC, Attorney General. “It signifies an elevated standing among peers and clients, showcasing their unwavering commitment to unparalleled service and expertise. I’m honoured to recognize this esteemed group for their invaluable impact on our community, and on the B.C. justice system.”

Narwal (2008), who is the son of well known Notary Public Pritpal Naewal, is a prominent trial and appellate lawyer known for handling high-stakes cases, specializing in criminal and securities litigation, professional regulation and complex civil matters with criminal aspects. 

As a partner at his firm, and an adjunct professor at UBC Allard School of Law, Narwal is immersed in legal academia and practice. He actively contributes to advisory committees to promote inclusive policies and, notably, he was the first IBPOC president of the Vancouver Bar Association (VBA). Through his work with the VBA, he championed raising funds for Access Pro Bono and the Lawyers’ Assistance Program.

Narwal’s partnerl D’Sa (2008) is a civil litigator and mediator who is recognized for her expertise in personal injury cases, often being asked to speak or lecture on the topic. D’Sa is engaged extensively with the Canadian Bar Association B.C. (CBABC) branch and was the first female IBPOC president of the Vancouver Bar Association. 

She currently chairs the Law Society of B.C.’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a member of the Mental Health Task Force. D’Sa is passionate about offering formal mentorship to female and IBPOC lawyers, and she won the CBABC Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award that recognizes her significant contributions as a mentor.

“We are both deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Attorney General. It is especially meaningful because it was announced today on my father, Pritpal Singh Narwal’s, birthday who passed away earlier this year,” Joven Narwal told DESIBUZZCanada.

“He always took great interest in my career and my wife’s career and we have always been grateful for his support. I credit everything I have and anything I might achieve to the loving support of my father, and my mother, Jasbier Kaur Narwal who passed away nearly 20 years ago.”

Other South Asian/Indo-Canadian lawyers receiving the honour include Gurminder Sandhu (2000), who is an experienced civil litigator practising throughout B.C. courts, focusing on general civil litigation, family law and insurance law. 

Rubinder Dhanu (2004) has vast expertise in criminal law, having worked both as a Crown prosecutor and defence attorney. His focus areas include drug, firearm and organized crime prosecutions, as well as representing victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

Veeda Victoria Shroff (1997) is widely considered to be a pioneer in animal law in B.C. and one of Canada’s first animal lawyers. She is currently an adjunct professor of animal law at UBC Allard School of Law, a faculty member and the creator of an animal law course for paralegals at Capilano University, and an appointed associate Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. 

To be considered for the King’s counsel designation, the potential candidates must be members of the B.C. bar for a minimum of five years. Their nomination is reviewed by an advisory committee, which then makes recommendations to the attorney general. The appointments are made by cabinet through orders in council.

This year’s appointees include lawyers in private practice, government and academia who have distinguished themselves by their counsel, teaching contributions, publications, advocacy and volunteerism.

The King’s counsel designation grants each appointee the honour of adding the letters “KC” to their post-nominals (letters after one’s name), so their colleagues and clients know that they have been recognized by their peers for extraordinary merit and broader contributions to the legal profession.

Quick Facts:

* Only 7% of practising B.C. lawyers can be awarded the King’s counsel designation at any time.

* The advisory committee was established by the attorney general to review nominations and make recommendations for King’s counsel appointments. It includes:

* the chief justice of B.C.;

* the chief justice of the Supreme Court of B.C.;

* the chief judge of the provincial court of B.C.;

* the president of the Law Society of B.C. (LSBC);

* the president of the Canadian Bar Association – British Columbia Branch;

* an LSBC member appointed by the benchers (directors);

* B.C.’s deputy attorney general.