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 Manager, Professional Development, Associate and Student Programs, to the annual firm-wide Christmas party. Other events for students include 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 the Lawyers' 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 - Kayaking - June 2011
It was a gloriously cloudy day when the intrepid summer students embarked on their ocean voyage. Their ocean - Deep Cove. Their vessels - double kayaks, useful for both their cost-effective and team-building characteristics. After a short training session, Fasken's brave adventurers split into five pairs: Kristen Brewer and Arik Broadbent, Laura Smith and Dan Byma, Jennifer Lee and Jake Cabott, Alexandra Mitretodis and Allan McGavin, and Adrian Wan and Graeme Hooper. And the journey was on.
Nevertheless, team morale was high as they soldiered on. Aside from a few "accidental" rammings and the occasional bout of rudder sabotage *cough*Graeme*cough*, the comradery was palpable, culminating in a fusion of the five kayaks into one conjoined superkayak, which, besides looking rad, succeeded in making the four outer students do the work of ten.
Midway through the trip, our heroes landed at a beach outside Belcarra Park. When the sun momentarily appeared, everyone did their best impression of sunbathing reptiles, except for Dan Byma, whose inner dancer, freed from the shackles of its vest and pocket square, decided to spring forth. Entertainment was also provided by Adrian Wan, who demonstrated why he put rock skipping on his résumé. However, the party soon realized that kayaking works up more of an appetite than sitting at a desk, and regretted not bringing food.
On the return voyage, Jake Cabbot, proactively nicknamed The Lanky Anchor, lived up to his name by sitting back and letting Jennifer Lee do 90% of the work. In his own defence, he said that he occasionally takes two powerful strokes, immediately and inadvertently replacing his nickname with "Two-Stroke" Jake.
As the valiant summer students neared the kayak centre's beach, Adrian and Graeme (Team Bromance), powered by their growing bond, fired forward from the back of the pack to triumphantly beat Arik and Kristen in a race that they neither knew they were in, nor cared to be.
Emaciated from their long journey, the students managed to hunt and kill some of the local nacho platter wildlife, before finally parting ways with a glow in their hearts and a tear in their eyes.
Our heroes had learned much about themselves, each other, and the world. Who could have known that barnacles are a legitimate souvenir?
Annual Partners/Students v. Associates Soccer Match - 2011
The annual soccer match between the partners and associates took place on Tuesday evening at St. George's high school. The conditions were perfect, the students were divided up between the teams and a year's worth of bragging rights were on the line. At the end of the day, the partners earned a 6-5 win over the associates and as tradition would seem to have it, the evening was not injury free.
Playing for the partners' side were Gary Ott, Kevin O'Callaghan, Bruce Tattrie, David McDonald, Peter Finley, Kristen Brewer, Arik Broadbent, Dan Byma, Allan McGavin, Adrian Wan and Alexandra Mitretodis.
Playing for the associates' side were Katey Grist, Grant Foster, Tariq Ahmed, Kevin Nakanishi, Colin Edstrom, Jennifer Craig, Alex Demner, Jake Cabott and Laura Smith.
The associates came roaring out to a 3-1 lead in the first half. When asked to describe her first half goal for the associates' side, summer student Laura Smith replied, "nobody noticed me prancing down the sideline and when the ball eventually came to me, I buried it."
Something motivating must have been uttered in the partners' huddle between frames. They came out for the second half on fire and the partners had one in the associates' net within 30 seconds. Before the writer of this recap could turn to his associates team and say "sorry guys, that one did actually go in off my back," the partners were up 6-3. The partners' epic comeback was also spurred on by the defensive prowess of summer student Allan "the Shoeless Bull" McGavin.
When the final whistle blew, the teams decided they wanted more. In the spirit of our Vancouver Canucks' glorious playoff run, a unanimous decision was made to play 3 periods instead of 2 halves. Katey Grist and articling student Jennifer Craig led the associates' back into the game and the score suddenly jumped to 6-5. Then, out of the blue, the Shoeless Bull fired a rocket into the face of teammate Bruce Tattrie and the game was over.
Once Bruce was patched up, both teams went to Hells Kitchen to celebrate another hard-fought match between two great rivals.
In other news, the Shoeless Bull was not locked out of the office on Wednesday morning.
Student Outing - Soccer Game (Vancouver Whitecaps v. Minnesota Thunder) - July 2009
Fasken's 2009 student group are clear that the Vancouver Whitecaps won their game on July 9 entirely because of the high-level cheering of the Student Cheering Section. The group was at Swanguard Stadium for the students' annual evening out. After navigating the sky train to the stadium - an unexpected team building exercise, that split the group in half, they helped the Caps cruise to a 4-0 home win over Minnesota Thunder.
Led by their two soccer experts, Jennifer Craig and Colin Edstrom, the student team managed to cheer for every single goal. There was also heated discussion, moderated and egged on by Monique Orieux and Lindsey Taylor, about the various pairs of neon pink and yellow soccer boots sported by both teams. Though considerable time was devoted to the issue, it is unclear if flashy soccer boots really give a player "the edge". So strongly knit was the team by the end of the night, that not even the chaos of an après game trip on the sky train could pull them apart.
Annual Partners/Students v. Associates Soccer Match - June 2009
On Wednesday evening, St. George's campus provided the venue for another classic soccer battle between the Partners and Associates. With the articling students suiting up for the Associates and the summer students suiting up for the Partners – it was sure to be an epic battle. Despite a last second push by both sides, the score and the injury count were even when the final whistle blew.
The Associates got on the scoreboard first. About five minutes into the game, Prentice Durbin found a loose ball in front of the goal and placed it in the back of the net. The glory was short lived however as Gary Ott quickly replied for the Partners with a well-placed strike past Derek Knoechel and his 1980s teal and hot pink goalie shirt. In the second half, David Wong placed a long ball over the head of Kibben Jackson to give the Associates their second lead of the game. However, Gary Ott answered again with a successful penalty kick in the dying minutes. The score was 2-2 when referee Gavin Hume called the game.
Like previous matches, Wednesday night also had its share of injuries. Roger Kuypers was the first to go down when he blew out his achilles tendon during the first half. Not to be outdone, Kate Gower made a late night trip to the emergency room after she collided with a teammate and fell head first to the ground. Both Roger and Kate are ok and proud to be part of the ongoing legacy of FMD sporting events and hospital visits.
The Partners had plenty of motivation for this game following their stunning 13-2 defeat two years ago. Sure, the tight scoreline may have had something to do with the higher calibre of summer students assisting them this year but, regardless, the Partners were ferocious from the opening whistle. Many Associates will likely have nightmares at the thought of Dave McDonald stampeding down the field or another Andrew Nathanson marginally legal slide tackle. When questioned about the Partners valour, one Associate responded, "I can see how you may qualify that as heroics, given the ferociousness with which the Partners played, and the fact that we generally still want to be able to play sports the next day, since we don't only play one day a year."
The players went to Tomato Fresh Food Café following the game to heal their injuries with drinks, pizza and seafood.
Student Outing - Football Game (BC Lions v. Montreal Alouettes) - July 2008
The Fasken's student crew painted the town orange on a Friday night in July when we witnessed the latest chapter in the storied rivalry between the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. The Lions sputtered out of the gate, hurt by a lack of execution and untimely penalties. We were no different as Joel dropped several good peanuts and Danielle was flagged for "roughing the popcorn". Halftime brought about a change of fortunes, however, and both us and the Lions stepped up our game. Gavin missed most of the 3rd quarter discussing the policy considerations behind the "two beers per person" rule with a concessionaire, but returned to catch the thrilling conclusion. Inspired by Jag's rousing cheers, Paris Jackson caught a spectacular 43-yard touchdown to bring the Lions within striking distance, and Paul McCallum kicked a last-second field goal for the win.
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.
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