Social Events

Our social activities are designed to initially assist students with their integration into the firm, and subsequently, to foster our open and supportive environment. These activities also give you opportunities to meet other professionals outside the office setting.

During the articling year, we have a full calendar of social and sporting events, such as the annual lawyers soccer match where students join forces with the partners to face off against the associates. Articling students also participate in all firm activities such as our annual Christmas party at which our students perform the annual student skit. A unique opportunity for students to poke fun at members of the firm.

Below are samples of our Previous Events.

Socials

In keeping with our collegial atmosphere, the Vancouver office also hosts a number of social events throughout the year. These range from the memorable student-lunch seminars, organized by our irreplaceable Student Coordinator, to the annual firm-wide Christmas party. Other events for students range from a Christmas cocktail party to a summer barbeque at the home of a member of our Student Committee.

Every Friday, beginning at 5:00 (though sometimes earlier), there is a social gathering in 'Club 19', the staff lounge. Apart from these routine events, there are also a number of particularly keen members of the firm who undertake to organize more spontaneous, tailor-made activities, including charity fund-raisers and other equally important events. There is clearly no shortage of social engagements at the Firm.

Sports

There are also a number of competitive events each year, both within the firm and against clients and other firms. By far the most anticipated and hotly contested match is the associate-partner/student football game, which is played each year in the early fall. We also have an ultimate team and we also enter a team in the annual B.C. Law Firm Ski Championships.

Fasken Martineau has also organized teams that participate in the inter-firm basketball league. In addition, the firm often puts together teams to play pick-up games against clients, law schools and other firms in hockey, soccer, rugby, softball and tennis.

Previous Events

Student Outing - Soccer Game (Vancouver Whitecaps v. Seattle Sounders) - July 2007

Annual Partners/Students v. Associates Soccer Match - June 2007

The final score was 13-6 for the associates, an upset that has been a long time coming. Kibben Jackson played in net for the associates, making a stellar 6 saves! Chris Sharpe was in net for the partners and kept them in the game making at least 3 dozen saves.

The associates consisted of Jenn Walker, who took numerous hits for the team (O'Callaghan actually flattened her at one point), Alf Hefford, Andrey Schmidt, Katey Grist, Dave Wong, Kim Wilson and a guest appearance of Kevin Price. The partners were lead by Gary Ott and supported by several students. Though they put up a valiant fight, the youth and speed of the associates overcame Bruce Grist, Dave McDonald, Cal Johnson, Don Dalik, Keith Spencer, Frank Schober, Kevin O'Callaghan, Chris Sharpe, Grant Foster (who netted at least 3 of the 6 goals), Tariq Ahmed, and Christine Joseph.

In the end everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly with refreshments and snacks afterwards. Though many mused, could this be a changing of the tides? The associates are hoping for an off-season signing of Chris Sharpe and Kibben Jackson has vowed to withhold his partnership application until the rest of the current group of associates applies.

Student Outing - Baseball Game (Vancouver Canadians v. Boise Hawks) - August 2006

It was a hot day in late August, when the summer and articling students donned their baseball caps and headed out to the Nat Bailey Stadium to watch the Vancouver Canadians take on the Boise Hawks. The students soaked up stadium culture with a grandstand lunch of hotdogs, french fries, and cold drinks while enjoying the real-deal "Nooner" entertainment on the field. After singing the national anthem, the game got underway, and Anna demonstrated her top-oralist skills by riling the visiting team back to their dugout. While we thought this student event was purely a spectator sport, Prentice and Gord took one for Team Fasken when souvenir balls started to fly in our direction. In the fifth inning, the summer sun forced the students to secure more drink, sunscreen, and a round of ice cream cones. Felix's joie d'vie kept us cheering even as we watched the Boise Hawks score twice in the top of the sixth inning eventually beating out the Vancouver Canadians 5:1.

Annual Partners/Students v. Associates Soccer Match - 2006

On an evening in May, the students joined forces with the partners to play in the Partners vs. Associates Challenge Cup, a soccer game that has become an annual tradition at Faskens. It was a fun and exciting game, with a close score until the final minutes. The associates tried everything they could to take the lead. There were cheers from the stands as Jennifer "Gooaaaaallll" Walker bicycle kicked an arcing cross-pass from Kevin "Feet of Fury" O'Callaghan, and the new "Westcoast Express" line of Granger, Brooks and Kerr pressured the partner and student defence until the very end. But it was not enough to get past Chris "Sticky Hands" Sharpe in goal, and the pro line-up of students and partners. With only seconds left, Frank Schober scored to win the game. The partners and students hold the title, for the 4th year in a row, until it is challenged again next summer.