The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch is proud to announce Patricia Blair as president for the 2025-2026 membership term. A family law practitioner and founding partner of River Valley Law LLP in the Cowichan Valley, Blair is committed to championing solo practitioners and small firms across British Columbia.
“Solo practitioners and small firms outside major centres in B.C. are on the frontlines of the access to justice crisis. My priority is to ensure that British Columbians, regardless of their income or where they live, can get the legal representation they need.”
To achieve this, she believes in strengthening the tools and networking opportunities that help lawyers in every part of the province serve their communities best. “I plan to meet with members all over B.C. to hear their thoughts on the support they need and to make sure their voice is heard on important issues to our profession.”
At CBABC, Blair served as County Representative for the Cowichan Valley on Provincial Council for five years and on the Board of Directors for four. Her career reflects her dedication to community-based legal service. Before founding her firm in 2021, she worked at the Duncan office of a mid-sized Vancouver Island firm for nearly a decade.
A supervising lawyer for the Poverty Law Advocate Program through the Law Foundation and a former Chair of the Board for the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, she is deeply committed to access to justice for all British Columbians.
"Patricia’s deep roots on Vancouver Island and her experience make her an informed voice for our regional communities,” says CBABC CEO Kerry Simmons, KC. “The Board and I look forward to the unique and valuable insights she will bring to her leadership.”
About CBABC:
The Canadian Bar Association is the professional organization representing 40,000 lawyers, judges and law students across Canada with over 8,200 members in British Columbia. CBABC members practice at the forefront of the justice system, providing services to British Columbians in every area of law. CBABC is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations.
