In Memoriam – It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of our former partner and esteemed colleague, Jo Ann Carmichael, K.C. Jo Ann passed away at the end of October after a long illness which she battled fiercely and courageously.
Jo Ann joined AHBL in 1989 after practicing for many years as a partner at another prominent Vancouver law firm. She became a partner of our firm on February 1, 1991 – the firm’s first female partner. Jo Ann was a giant in the profession and established early in her career a well-earned reputation as one of the top matrimonial lawyers in the province. In addition to her work in family law, Jo Ann was a leading practitioner in the field of life and disability insurance and the clients she brought to our firm 35 years ago remain with us today.
Jo Ann’s contributions to the profession were too many to name. However, chief among them was the tireless work she undertook as a Bencher of the Law Society where she spent thousands of hours in service to the profession, including as member, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Discipline Committee, the Access to Justice Working Group, the Credentials Committee, the Equity and Diversity Committee and the Practice Standards Committee. In addition to all of this, she was a regular contributor to Continuing Legal Education, offering her free time to impart to the profession the vast knowledge and expertise she had acquired in her years of practice. In recognition of her preeminence in the profession, she was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 2000.
Throughout her career, Jo Ann championed the cause of women in the profession. Many know that Jo Ann, being the first ever female partner of our firm, would host an event at her beautiful home for our female lawyers each and every time one was admitted to the partnership. At each of these events, the new partner would be honoured and presented with a crystal bowl chosen by Jo Ann. Recently, in the tradition created by Jo Ann, this event took place again, but this time at the home of another partner. Jo Ann was too ill to attend but we are thankful we were able to tell her that the tradition she had created would henceforth be known as “The Jo Ann Carmichael, K.C. Crystal Bowl Reception”.
Jo Ann’s ill health came upon her prematurely. Yet, she doggedly continued to serve her clients in the face of her difficult medical challenges. In so doing, she gave all of us a shining example of commitment to our profession and courage in the face of adversity. She will be remembered for this more than anything else.
May she rest in peace.