In light of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2019, we are celebrating members of our firm who help create a #BalanceforBetter. We are proud to introduce our three Difference Makers: Mary Hamilton, QC, Jane Davis and Penny Valliere.
Mary Hamilton, QC, Partner
Mary Hamilton, QC, is recognized for her high standards of professional integrity and good character. Mary was recently designated Queen’s Counsel and has created a reputation for herself as a leading practitioner in her field. She is consistently included in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and Best Lawyers® in Canada and has been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Trusts and Estates by Best Lawyers® in Canada on multiple occasions. Mary is extremely generous with her time and has become the “go to” in her field of practice. The Continuing Legal Education Society (CLE) has sought her out to sit on two editorial boards for its practice manuals. Additionally, Mary is a founding author of Wills & Personal Planning Precedents: An Annotated Guide, which is the leading resource for estate planning practitioners in BC. Mary has certainly shaped the practice of law in BC in the areas of wills, trusts and estates.
Jane Davis, Legal Administrative Assistant
Jane Davis works tirelessly to make a positive and impactful difference in our firm and in our community, which is why we believe she is a true Difference Maker. Jane’s kind spirit and endless generosity are just some of the qualities that are obvious to anyone who has the pleasure and privilege of meeting her. Jane regularly participates in firm fundraising events and lends her desk to anyone who needs a hand (or a candy). Jane’s tireless work ethic is only matched by her extensive volunteer initiatives in the local community. Jane is a regular volunteer for the Street Outreach ministry, United Way, Vancouver Foodbank, BCSPCA and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Her sweet nature was the key ingredient in meeting her fundraising goals in “pupcake” sales for the BCSPCA’s National Cupcake Day. For these reasons, and so many more, we celebrate Jane’s accomplishments and contributions, and we thank her for being an AHBL Difference Maker.
Penny Valliere, Legal Administrative Assistant
Penny Valliere is a trusted friend and a dedicated volunteer. In addition to the endless support Penny provides to our firm, she volunteers at Amici Curiae Friendship Society, a non-profit organization that offers workshops that help the public complete legal forms necessary to present a matter to Court or to a Tribunal. Dom Bautista, Executive Director, comments, “Penelope was one of the first paralegals to sign up when the program was launched on February 8, 2011. Assigned to assist clients who had different types of legal matters, she was always armed with her smile and warmth. She was a trusted friend, one who often represented me when doing site visits to select new venues. Alexander Holburn is lucky to have her.”
Penny also spends many nights putting her talent as a baker to good use. Over the years, she has baked thousands of cupcakes to help raise funds for the firm’s many fundraising events. She whips up deluxe “cake boss worthy” confections for the staff’s children and runs a cookie decorating workshop at our annual Skate with Santa event. She also manages to find the time to volunteer at her church every Wednesday night teaching PREP studies for the children. Thank you for exemplifying what it means to be an AHBL Difference Maker.