Speakers
Shelley Braun — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Farzad Forooghian — Forooghian+Co, Vancouver
Jennifer Yong — The Lawyer Coach, Vancouver
Moderated by: Allison Wolf — Founder and Lead Coach, The Lawyer Coach, Victoria
About the Speakers
Shelley Braun has over 25 years of experience representing clients in litigation, including a wide variety of chambers work, complex multiparty litigation, contract disputes, construction litigation, coverage, plaintiff and defendant personal injury, professional liability, employment practices liability, property damage and fire related losses, arson and fraud defences, and bad faith claims.
Having appeared before all levels of court in BC as well as various tribunals and administrative and disciplinary processes, Shelley brings a unique and informed perspective to each and every one of her files.
Shelley's previous experience includes working as the National Director of Underwriting, specialty lines E&O, D&O and Fidelity for the largest P&C insurer in Canada. She has past experience working as compliance officer, which found her managing and monitoring firm compliance, including adhering to laws, regulations and ethical standards. She also worked at the Law Society defending lawyers as claims counsel and created a cyber insurance program for BC law firms during her time there.
Raised in Vancouver, when she's not at work, Shelley likes to spend her time outdoors, including fishing, playing pickleball and cycling with her family.
After practicing as a partner at a leading national firm and then a top-ranked boutique firm, Farzad Forooghian launched Forooghian+Co to serve clients without the constraints inherent in the traditional law firm model. Now, his most important business relationships are those he shares with his clients—and he thinks it works better that way.
Farzad has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the areas of corporate, securities, and mining law. He obtained a law degree from UBC and a Certificate in Mining Law from York University. Prior to that, Farzad earned a business degree from McGill and completed Level 1 of the CFA program.
As a coach with over 19 years of experience, Allison Wolf's particular strengths are business development, practice management, and careers at all levels of seniority. Having worked with a wide group of clients from every area of practice, she has developed a deep understanding of the national and international legal marketplace that informs her work with her clients.
In addition to her coaching practice, she has over 20 years of experience as an in-house legal marketing and business development professional for law firms of all sizes and scope. She began with the Beijing, New York, and Washington D.C. offices of an international law firm, followed by a national Canadian firm and two large regional firms. Allison is a recognized expert in legal marketing and business development, frequently asked to write for US and Canadian legal journals, and present to professional associations and private law firms.
Allison is a Professional Certified Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, a former board member with West Coast LEAF, a former president of both the LMA Vancouver Chapter, and the non-profit Pacifica Family Addictions Foundation. She has a BA from McGill University and has conducted graduate studies in Communications and East Asian Studies at McGill University and the Beijing Film Academy. She received her Executive Coaching Certification (CEC) from Royal Roads University in 2004. The program is accredited by the International Coaching Federation which is the official international governing body of the profession. She is also a 2014 graduate of the Martha Beck Life Coach Training program.
Jennifer Yong offers transformational business coaching to lawyers, professionals, and executives. Her experience in law and business—including roles as general counsel, VP legal, and executive leader—give her insight into what you might be experiencing as a high-performing, successful professional who is seeking to evolve in your career.
Jennifer's trauma-informed approach will provide you with an opportunity to show up for yourself in a safe, judgment-free space. You will be supported to see where you might be stuck, explore your purpose, connect with your worth, and step into your power.
Jennifer is led by her values of empathy, courage, authenticity, and service. She supports those she works with to connect with their own humanity to create the change they wish to see in their careers and workplaces.