Our Legal Team

Gail Sharma

Principal Lawyer

Gail has been working with unions and individuals seeking WorkSafeBC (WCB) compensation for more than 17 years. Gail has had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients with a variety of issues, and she understands the intricacies of the appeal process. Gail’s focus on this area of law gives her clients the advantage of having an experienced WCB lawyer on their side as they move through the appeal process.

Education

  • Bachelor of Laws, UBC
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), UBC
Professional Memberships

  • Member of Law Society of BC
  • Member of Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch)
Connect with Gail

Risha Sidhu

Associate Lawyer

Prior to joining GKS Law Firm, Risha practiced wills and estates, civil, real estate, employment and family law at an international firm in downtown Vancouver. Risha has a range of experience including discoveries, mediations, settlement conferences, arbitrations, and trials. She has successfully represented clients at both the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia. She is able to assist clients in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Risha is dedicated by providing her clients with high value and creative legal solutions. She is passionate about ensuring her clients are supported during each stage of their matter.

Prior to attending law school, Risha completed her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at Simon Fraser University while volunteering at the B.C Children’s Hospital and Richmond Soccer Youth Association. Risha completed her Juris Doctor at Bond University. At Bond University, Risha was awarded First in Class in Contract Law achieving the highest mark in her cohort. She later obtained her Masters of Laws from Bond University with a specialization in Dispute Resolution. Risha was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2020.

Out of the office, Risha is active in her local community. She serves as Board of Director at the Richmond Community Foundation and is regularly engaged as a keynote speaker at local high schools. Risha enjoys travelling, hiking, biking, reading and watching sports.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, Simon Fraser University 
  • Juris Doctor (Honours), Bond University 
  • Masters of Law (Honours), Bond University

Professional Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association 
  • Vancouver Bar Association 
  • Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia 
Connect with Risha

Lauren Chancellor

Associate Lawyer

Lauren’s practice is focused on Workers’ Compensation appeals. She understands this can be a difficult system to navigate for someone that is injured. Her goal is to streamline the process for the worker and help them on their road to recovery.

Prior to joining GKS Law Firm, Lauren practiced criminal defence and administrative driving law at a firm in downtown Vancouver. Lauren has a range of experience including bail and sentencing hearings, conducting trials, drafting submissions, and reviewing extensive disclosure. She has represented clients at both the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia.

During law school, Lauren was a student caseworker for the Innocence Project at Peter A. Allard School of Law. She helped applicants with their innocence claims and assisted in legal reform to fight against wrongful convictions. She published a paper in the Criminal Law edition of the Manitoba Law Journal. This paper, “Public Contempt and Compassion: Media Biases and Their Effect on Wrongful Convictions”, investigates news and social media’s effect on the Canadian criminal justice system. Lauren made recommendations for legal reform to improve the criminal justice system’s use of juries to ensure a fairer trial for the accused.

Lauren previously studied history and film studies at the University of Victoria. In her free time, Lauren enjoys visiting museums and attending theatre productions in Vancouver. She was the writer and creator for a website that reviewed theatre in the Lower Mainland.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Peter A. Allard School of Law, 2020
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Victoria, 2016

Professional Memberships

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch)
  • Vancouver Bar Association
  • Criminal Defence Advocacy Society

Publications

Public Contempt and Compassion: Media Biases and their Effect on Juror Impartiality and Wrongful Convictions

• Manitoba Law Journal · Sep 1, 2019

http://themanitobalawjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/articles/MLJ_42.3/42.3_Chancellor.pdf

Connect with Lauren

Join Our Team

GKS Law Firm is a growing law firm that represents injured workers in their Workers’ Compensation (WorkSafeBC) claims. We are always looking to expand our team in Burnaby with motivated lawyers interested in this field of law.

 

The ideal candidate for our firm:

  • has an interest in Administrative Law, with experience in Workers’ Compensation matters being an asset, but not required;
  • is capable of presenting at oral hearings and producing written submissions;
  • is committed to creating strong client relationships; and
  • is capable of taking on a high level of responsibility.

If you are interested in working in a supportive and positive work environment, please forward your resume and law school transcripts to gsharma@gkslawfirm.com.

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A Dedicated Work Injury
Law Firm By Your Side.

We’ll guide you through the appeal process – we’re in it together. If your WorkSafeBC (WCB) claim has been denied, we’ll work out your legal options and work quickly (within legal deadlines) to appeal the decision.

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