From which program did you graduate?
Forest Operations (including courses for registration as a P.Eng, Forest Engineering)
Where did you grow up?
Vancouver, BC
Why did you choose UBC Forestry?
My father was a professor in Agriculture at UBC and my mother was a teacher so there was never really any doubt about pursuing a post-secondary education – the question was more in what area. Also, both my parents had rural up-bringings and many of my early summers were spent working on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley, exploring the family ranch on Francois Lake and hiking around Vancouver. Due to these sorts of activities I think I had a natural draw to a profession that could get me working outside. Plus, my father’s relatives up north and family friends were involved with forestry and at an early age pick-up trucks and caulk boots were familiar items for me and my brothers. I was strong in sciences in high-school and I already had a brother in engineering at UBC, so the Forest Operations department at UBC seemed a good fit.
What was your first job after graduation?
A friend of mine from UBC Forestry put me in touch with some people at Weyerhaeuser’s Stillwater Division in Powell River. Right after graduation I got a GST number and some insurance in Vancouver, moved to Powell River and started working as a contracting forest engineer. I spent 9 months there before getting laid-off for the winter. Following the lay-off, I did what most recently-graduated and laid-off engineers do – skiing and a trip to a sunny destination prior to start-up of the next field season.
What are you doing now and how did you end up there?
Currently I’m a Registered Professional Forester and lawyer with McMillan LLP in Vancouver (formerly Lang Michener LLP). I practice business and regulatory law for natural resource clients, with a focus on forestry, mining and carbon trading. I don’t really have a “typical day in the office”, as what I do changes daily based on the needs of our clients. Sometimes I’m helping with the sale of a forest tenure or preparing for an administrative hearing relating to forestry legislation infractions. At other times I’ll be helping with the negotiation of supply contracts, dealing with First Nations consultation issues or reviewing policy relating to certification or carbon trading.
I think that I first became aware of a possible career in law after I attended my first ABCFP policy review seminar and began studying for the registration practices exam. The review seminar was probably my first conscious realization that our profession is ultimately governed by statute and if we didn’t understand the statutes and how to work within them, we really couldn’t do our jobs to the best of our ability. Also, I remember really enjoying Dr. Innes’ Forest Policy course in my last term at UBC and I think this course was the first spark for my interest in forest policy in general.
During my forest engineering days (post-graduation from UBC), I began thinking about heading back to school again. I remember considering everything from an MBA, to applying to NSERC for funding to do a PhD in forest hydrology, to applying for law school – but I was certain that I wanted to remain in the forest industry. Ultimately, I think enrolling in law school came about after I realized the importance of having people who not only understand good forest stewardship principles and the nuts and bolts of how our industry works, but who also can apply this understanding in light of complicated legal considerations. I am now lucky enough to enjoy this challenge on a daily basis.
Do you have any fond memories of your time at UBC?
I wouldn’t know where to begin on this question – I was there for seven years, what else can I say?! One of my highlights was Dr. Worrall’s Big Trees trip in first-year. I can remember sitting in his lab, feeling the anticipation of the draw for the final seats in the van for the trip (one of which I secured), plus it was a great get-away after a hectic first year of university to break away and see some amazing sites and make a few great friends. Also, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Sweden for an exchange in third-year. I enjoyed this so much that I took the opportunity to go on an exchange to Australia in law school as well.
If you weren’t working where you are now what profession would you most like to try?
Probably teaching or involvement somehow in education.
What is the toughest business or professional decision you’ve had to make?
Taking the plunge to start essentially a new career by going to law school was probably the toughest decision I’ve made so far. At the time I knew I was giving-up a good career and there was the uncertainty surrounding finding a position I was interested in after graduation. Looking back, I don’t think I really understood what a career in law would entail (or really had any idea of the hard work it would take to get me where I am today). Also, it’s obviously a challenge having to give advice to people on a daily basis, as often the issues are complex, the clients need my help for a reason and time is of the essence.
What do you aspire to 10 years from now?
Ten years ago I would have never guessed that I’d be working in an office tower in Vancouver as a lawyer. In another ten years I really don’t know where I’ll be, but I’m excited for the path that takes me there.
Do you have any advice for students considering enrolling in forestry?
When I first started forestry at UBC I think most of my peer group believed that in four years we’d be graduated, working for a major forest licensee and hanging ribbons in the bush. The reality is that most of us took more than four years to get through our degrees and that in those years our ideas and understanding of “forestry” changed. Now I can only think of a handful of my classmates who still are working in what we would have called those traditional forestry jobs.
I think students have to look outside the box at what a degree in forestry can provide and be open to taking a chance on something new if an opportunity is presented that looks interesting. For example, I’ve found that combining my forestry degree with law has opened-up new opportunities that my forestry or law degrees alone wouldn’t necessarily afford. My familiarity with the forest industry has led me to working on deals originating not only in BC, but also in Ontario, Quebec and even China. And be patient… not everybody starts out in exactly their dream job!
From Branchlines June 2011