Our board

People’s Law School is governed by a dedicated team of experienced professionals. Our board of directors keep us focused on the organization's vision and strategy, and provide oversight on our finances and governance.

The People's Law School board meets at least eight times annually and oversees an annual general meeting of members of the society.

Board of directors for 2023-24

Hassan El Masri

Hassan El Masri

Hassan El Masri is a notary public practicing in Vancouver with W. Masri Notary Corporation, with a focus on real estate transactions, mortgages, and estate planning. He holds a Masters of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MAALS) from Simon Fraser University. Hassan has been a board member of People’s Law School since 2013, and is currently board chair.

Bernard Achampong

Since 2004, Bernard has held senior management positions with the Government of British Columbia, most notably with the Ministries of Housing and Social Development, Children and Family Development, and Attorney General. At Court Services Branch, Bernard led initiatives to modernize the court system and improve access to justice for British Columbians. This experience has contributed to Bernard’s proficiency in establishing high-level strategies and leading large teams in successful implementations.

Alisha Dagenais

Alisha Dagenais is a Notary Public commissioned by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, holding a Master's of Applied Legal Studies. Her fully mobile practice, based in North Vancouver, effectively caters to a diverse clientele throughout the North Shore and Greater Vancouver Area, providing accessible and convenient services in real estate transactions and estate planning.

Robert Hudson

Robert is a retired lawyer and accountant with over 25 years’ experience in capital market regulation, international development, and corporate compliance. From 1988-2005 he held various counsel, legal policy development and managerial positions with the BC Securities Commission. More recently (2011-2016) he was deputy director and secretary to the board of the Anguilla Financial Services Commission, Anguilla BWI. From this experience as board secretary, as well as his experience on volunteer boards, Robert brings to People's Law School his knowledge of corporate and NFP policy development and board governance. He currently holds the position of board treasurer.

Sherry MacLennan

Sherry is a lawyer and former executive at Legal Aid BC where she developed expertise in public legal education and a passion for helping people understand and exercise their legal rights. This led to roles on the boards of Pro Bono Students Canada and the National Self Represented Litigants Project. She currently brings these interests to her role as executive director at the BC Unclaimed Property Society where she works to raise awareness around dormant assets and reunite people with their forgotten funds.

Cindy Switzer

Cindy Switzer is a lawyer at Maynard Kischer Stojicevic. Cindy is an internationally experienced lawyer whose practice is focused on business and corporate immigration, citizenship law and related matters. She previously practised at Fasken in Vancouver and with the New York City Law Department. Her community activities include volunteering with Access Pro Bono and West Coast LEAF, and serving as a pro bono arbitrator with the Association of Arbitrators. Cindy has been a board member of People’s Law School since 2016 and currently holds the position of secretary.

Dean Tate

Dean Tate is a lawyer with Somers Poulin Hall, where he practices family law. He is a graduate of University of Alberta Law School and was called to the bar in 1994. He has been a contributor to Continuing Legal Education Society of BC publications and programs, a director of the Richmond Jewish Day School, and a volunteer with the Volunteer Housing Registry. Dean is vice chair of the People's Law School board.

Mara Tessier

Mara Tessier is senior counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, British Columbia Regional Office. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria Law School. Her practice areas include civil litigation and Indigenous law. Mara has been a board member of People’s Law School since 2016.

This website explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. The information is not intended as legal advice. The cases we refer to reflect real experiences, but names have been changed. See our full disclaimer.

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Contact us

You can reach us by phone at 604-331-5400. More contact info.

Also from People's Law School

Dial-A-Law: A starting point for information on the law in British Columbia in 190+ topic areas. Available online and by phone.

Unbundled Legal Services: Learn about a new service model for lower-cost legal help. 

Beagle: A chatbot that helps with common legal problems. Look in the bottom right corner :)

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We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.