This month’s spotlight shines on Kimberley J. Santerre of Owen Bird.
How did you first get involved with CLEBC?
One of the very first files I had after moving back to Vancouver was supporting Dinyar Marzban, KC on an application to confirm the terms of the parties’ settlement. The opposing counsel was Jeff Rose, KC. The application was heard by the Honourable Peter Leask. I still remember being in awe in the courtroom, watching these litigators do their thing and be so courteous to each other. In the end, the court agreed with our client’s position and Jeff jokingly called me his nemesis. But Jeff also volunteered me to write a paper for CLEBC with the Honourable Marion J. Allan. Turns out Jeff is a great mentor, and he started my involvement with CLEBC.
What did you most recently work on with CLEBC?
I recently co-chaired the third Family Law Provincial Court Practice 2025 with my colleague Jasmeet Wahid and a great faculty. The course took place on Thursday, May 29, and will be rebroadcast this summer.
How did you decide to focus your practice on family law?
That is another good story. I articled and practiced at a boutique litigation firm in Kelowna. Around the middle of my articles, my principal, David Rush, KC, basically asked me what I was going to do for the rest of my career. In my head, I was thinking “get through articles.” Dave suggested family law, in part because it would allow me to focus my practice and get into court more often. That may be the best advice I have ever received, as my career in family law has been incredibly interesting and rewarding. (You can see how lucky I am to have had such great mentors.)
What is your advice to a young lawyer interested in practicing in this area?
Tip #1: Get as much experience as you can in other areas of law, so you can bring that experience to your practice. Family law touches on all kinds of issues involving tax, corporations, trusts, real estate, shareholder disputes, insolvency, tenancy, etc. The more you know, the better judgment you will have.
Tip #2: Get your support network in place. Find lawyers you like working with. Find colleagues you can talk to about your practice, ethical issues, and with whom you can blow off steam.
Tip #3: Family law, like many practice areas, can be difficult and emotionally draining. Figure out your own boundaries and make time for wellness. I have recently found that these practices help me be more resilient.
You are very active in the legal community both as a contributor to publications and as a speaker. What motivates you to give back to the profession?
I like helping others and bringing colleagues together. I also feel obliged to contribute, given how much I benefited from all the experienced lawyers that supported me.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what career path would you have chosen?
This is a great question to pose! If I was not practicing law, I would have at least three other jobs:
- Letter carrier for Canada Post – so I can spend most of my day outside and being mobile.
- Sommelier – so I can travel and enjoy delicious wine.
- Professional gift buyer (like a personal shopper, but for gifts) – I adore thinking about what others would like, finding just the right item(s), picking up matching gift wrap and cards, and making the gift beautiful. (Yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist.)
Other than law, what are you passionate about?
I think it is important to gain perspective and experience things that are outside my norm. I try to do that by reading fiction and non-fiction by authors who lead completely different lives than me. I love traveling to developing countries – usually solo – and figuring out how to navigate while learning from other travelers and locals. I force my friends and family to try new cuisine.
I am also passionate about our rescue dog, Sheldon. We don’t know his breed and simply say he’s 100% good boy.