Abigail is a thoughtful, detail-oriented advocate whose practice focuses on labour, human rights and employment law. Abigail approaches workplaces as communities. She offers practical, strategic advice to help build and shape workplace culture and applies her creativity and problem solving abilities to resolve workplace disputes. Abigail is passionate about working to make the legal profession more inclusive, diverse and equitable, and has been honoured to serve on the boards of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (BC) Society and the Law Foundation of BC. She has experience with providing EDI training and reviewing policies through an EDI lens.

Abigail earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, and holds a BA in Political Science and Ethnicity, Race and Migration from Yale University. Before joining Harris, Abigail taught at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, clerked for six justices of the British Columbia Supreme Court and worked as an associate at a national law firm in Vancouver.

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in Canada 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025: Labour and Employment Law
  • Dean’s Gold Key Award, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2016
  • Member of first runner-up team at Canadian nationals, Philip C Jessup International Moot Court Competition, 2016
  • Ranked in top 15% of individual oralists at World Championships, Philip C Jessup International Moot Court Competition, 2016
  • Bora Laskin Prize in Law and Religion, 2016
  • Dentons Canada LLP Prize, 2015
  • Cassels Brock and Blackwell Prize for Professionalism, 2014

Recent Speaking Engagements

  • BC Association of School Business Officials Conference, “Performance Management & The Difficult Employee – Managing for Optimal Organizational Success or Managing to Termination?” May 2022
  • “Case Law Update”, (co-presenter), Human Rights Conference 2019, The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, November 2019

Publications

  • “Employer OH&S responsibilities for “Other Workers” may extend farther than you think” (2022) Canadian Employment Safety and Health Guide at 3
  • “Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a “Black Swan” Emergency Event?” (2021) 31 ELLR at 57
  • Human Rights Conference 2019-2020, The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, “Human Rights Case Law Update”

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Governor, Law Foundation of BC Board of Governors
  • Governor, Crofton House School Board of Governors
  • President, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (BC) Society (2020-2021)
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
  • Member, The Advocates’ Society
  • Member, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
  • Member, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (BC) Society
  • Member, UBC National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism Steering Committee (2021)

Practice Areas

Year of Call

  • British Columbia, 2018

Education

  • BA (Hons.), Yale University, 2011
  • JD, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2016