EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
executivedirector@salcbc.org

Lali Pawa (she/her/hers) has over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector and in public legal education and information services. She is a Punjabi descent settler, on the land that is the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Katzie (q̓ic̓əy̓), Kwantlen (q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓), Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen (sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ) First Nations. Lali enjoys leading a team of staff and volunteers to create an informed society that is knowledgeable about the law, where individuals are able to recognize and exercise their rights, fulfill their legal obligations, address their legal problems and perform their duties as participants in a democratic society. Prior, Lali was the BC Program Manager and Team Lead at the Justice Education Society for over 16 years. She has built strong connections with stakeholders and is committed to harnessing these to address specific social and legal inequities that impact the South Asian community.

MANAGING LAWYER
managinglawyer@salcbc.org

Meena Dhillon (she/her/hers), is a lawyer and social worker with extensive experience in both public and private sector. Meena is a settler on the lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and a Canadian born Punjabi Sikh child of immigrants. Meena is a co-founder and former chair of SALCBC and she is now the Managing Lawyer of the clinic, overseeing clinic operations and legal practice. Meena’s legal practice is focused on dispute resolution, children’s law, family law, child welfare, personal injury and wills/estates. Meena is a Sessional Instructor with the University of the Fraser Valley, where she has taught a number of social work courses since 2010. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

STAFF LAWYER
stafflawyer@salcbc.org

Jasmine was born and raised in Surrey, BC. Jasmine obtained her law degree from Thompson Rivers University and was called to the BC bar in 2021. She completed her articles at an administrative law firm, where she assisted clients with their WorkSafeBC and Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit claims. During law school, Jasmine was an executive member of the South Asian Law Students Association and the Black Law Students Association. Jasmine is committed to improving access to justice for marginalized communities. In law school, she provided low-barrier legal services to the public through the Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic and the Law Students Legal Advice Program. She also ran a drop-in wellness program for law students.

FAMILY LAWYER
familylawyer@salcbc.org

Binny Rai (she/her/hers), is a family lawyer at SALCBC. Binny was born and raised in Surrey. She is a settler on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations. Binny received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of the Fraser Valley, and an Associate of Arts in Psychology from Douglas College.

During her articling term, Binny worked at two different law firms in order to gain exposure to a wide range of legal areas, including, but not limited to, family law, civil, and criminal law. While at law school, Binny provided low-barrier legal services, assistance, and representation to clients living in the Capital Regional District who could not afford a lawyer through The Law Centre, a service of the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law.

LEGAL ASSISTANT

Sarpreet Dhillon (she/her/hers) is a recent law school graduate and a legal assistant at SALCBC. Sarpreet was born and raised in Surrey. She is a settler on the unceded traditional territories of the Katzie (q̓ic̓əy̓) and Kwantlen (qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓) First Nations. Sarpreet received her Juris Doctor from Bond University in Australia. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Gender Studies from Simon Fraser University. 

During her studies, Sarpreet engaged in various legal experiences, including the My Community Legal Clinic in Robina, Queensland Australia, which provided advice to clients who could not afford a lawyer. Sarpreet also gained Criminal Defense experience while interning at Rawlings Criminal Law in Australia. Sarpreet is committed to using her legal education to make meaningful impacts within the community as she is passionate about providing accessible, compassionate and effective legal support, especially to marginalized and underserved populations.

FULL-TIME LEGAL ADVOCATE

Avneet Sidhu (she/her/hers) is a legal advocate settled on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Stó:lō Nation and identifies as a Punjabi, Sikh woman. Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Legal Studies, alongside a Social Justice Certificate from Simon Fraser University, Avneet is driven by a profound commitment to fairness and equity. 

Avneet has worked closely with Indigenous communities, unsheltered individuals, at-risk youth, and diasporic South Asian women. Her diverse engagement reflects a deep-seated belief in the importance of understanding and addressing unique challenges and barriers faced by these communities.  Additionally, Avneet has a vested interest in employment relations and labor advocacy, striving to ensure fairness and justice within the workplace. By merging legal expertise with a compassionate approach, Avneet aims to foster positive change and promote social equity for all. 

PART-TIME LEGAL ADVOCATE

Amanpreet Kaur (she/her) is a passionate legal advocate and project coordinator, who made her way to Canada as an immigrant and now calls the beautiful, unceded lands of the Kwantlen and Kwikwetlem peoples, south of the Fraser River, home. Armed with a postgraduate degree in Disaster and Emergency Management and extensive training in legal advocacy, Amanpreet brings over five years of nonprofit experience, with two years focused on legal support programs.

She’s currently putting her skills to work at SALCBC, where she helps individuals navigate barriers to legal services, all while staying committed to justice for everyone. Her heart is deeply invested in uplifting women, minorities, youth, immigrants, and international students. With a strong focus on gender equality and mental health advocacy, Amanpreet is always striving to make the world a more inclusive and loving place.

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jaskamal Singh (she/her/hers) respectfully acknowledges that she lives and works on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. She is a dynamic marketing specialist, graphic designer, and strategist with a BBA in Marketing Management and is currently pursuing her RCC designation.

As an independent freelancer, Jaskamal partners with impactful organizations, bringing her expertise to life through vibrant visuals and strategic insights. Passionate about community-driven work, she is dedicated to empowering nonprofits like SALCBC that act as catalysts for change. With sharp business acumen, creative innovation, and a deep community focus, Jaskamal crafts compelling narratives and fosters connections that inspire meaningful action.