Image: Baker Newby LLP / One of British Columbia's most distinguished barristers who played basketball at Queen's University, fought forest fires in Ontario and worked in Jamaica and Guatemala on global outreach projects, and later worked her way up to become a managing partner in a Fraser Valley law firm, has been named chair of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Board chair

Distinguished Chilliwack lawyer named chair of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation

May 27, 2024 | 8:42 AM

CHILLIWACK — One of British Columbia’s most distinguished barristers who played basketball at Queen’s University, fought forest fires in Ontario and worked in Jamaica and Guatemala on global outreach projects, and later worked her way up to become a managing partner in a Fraser Valley law firm, has been named chair of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.

The foundation announced Friday (May 24) that Cristen L. Gleeson, KC (King’s counsel), a managing partner with Baker Newby LLP, is its new board chair.

Baker Newby LLP is a law firm that was established in 1937 and has offices in Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

FVHCF says Gleeson has extensive experience within the realm of law and is noted to be one of the top lawyers in British Columbia. In addition to her outstanding legal career, she has dedicated many years to philanthropic work in different organizations like the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, University of the Fraser Valley, and the Law Foundation of British Columbia.

“I am honoured to be the new chair of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation,” Gleeson said. “As the Chair, I plan to prioritize expanding the Foundation’s profile and donor knowledge of the Foundation, and to target our funding in the areas most desperately needed within our hospitals. This will allow the Foundation to continue supporting the local hospital, facilities and programs run by Fraser Health to improve the quality of health care for our local communities.”

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In May 2023, Gleeson was one of 30 lawyers to earn the King’s counsel designation for their counsel, teaching contributions, publications, advocacy and volunteerism.

In a news release from the B.C. Attorney General’s office on May 4, 2023, the B.C. government says appointees include lawyers in private practice, government, and academia.

“The recipients of the honour of KC have made exemplary contributions to ensuring B.C. is a just and equitable place for everyone to live,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma. “This is a highly coveted honour, particularly because the recipients are nominated by their peers.”

The King’s counsel designation grants each appointee the honour of adding the letters “K.C.” to their post-nominals (letters after one’s name), so their colleagues and clients know that among their credentials they have been recognized by their peers for exceptional merit and contribution.

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.

Only seven per cent 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 BC (LSBC), the president of the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch, an LSBC member appointed by the benchers (directors); and B.C.’s deputy attorney general.

A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Gleeson played for the Queen’s University varsity women’s basketball team for several years during her undergraduate degree. She lived and worked in developing countries in her early twenties on two global outreach projects living in remote villages in Jamaica and Guatemala. Gleeson was a participant in the Canada World Youth international exchange program. She graduated with a degree in English Literature from Queen’s University in 1998 and obtained her law degree from Queen’s University in 2001. She articled with B.C. Hydro in Vancouver and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2002. Cristen joined Baker Newby in 2006, became a partner in 2010 and joined Baker Newby’s management team in 2019.

In addition to being a litigator and managing partner, her practice is comprised predominantly of family law matters. She is the founder and chair of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Section (Fraser Valley). She is involved in the broader community and volunteers with organizations, including non-profits and government affiliated entities.