Perminder S. Tung, is the first Indo-Canadian and the youngest lawyer to make Partner at Lindsay Kenny LLP, a leading BC law firm. In our interview with Perminder, he talks about his personal experience and the current achievements in the South Asian legal community.
Tell us about the law firm of Lindsay Kenney LLP?
We are a full service law firm with large offices in downtown Vancouver and in the new financial centre in Langley. Our firm aspires to service everyone: ICBC injury claims, divorce, child custody, wills, and estate planning to buying/selling a business, complex business transactions and commercial litigation. We have 15 Partners and usually around 35 – 40 total lawyers.
What area of law do you practice?
I practice exclusively in the area of ICBC personal injury claims, acting only for injured persons seeking compensation for their pain and financial losses.
Tell us about a recent win or case you were involved in?
We recently obtained judgement in a car accident case involving an Indo-Canadian Medical Student. Liability was disputed as he was making a left-hand turn near Guildford Mall and he sustained soft-tissue injuries. We obtained judgement for just over $400,000 (Kathuria v. Wildgrove et al., 2014 BCSC 1274). A few months before that, we obtained judgement for over $500,000 in a case involving a Law Student who was injured in two car accidents and suffered a debilitating shoulder injury (J.D. v. Chandra et al., 2014 BCSC 466). Both judgements are public record and can be found on the LK Law website and also on the BC Supreme Court website with the case citations provided.
You’re the first Indo-Canadian and the youngest lawyer to make Partner at your firm – tell us about the journey.
I can’t believe I am saying this, because recently they were my bosses, but my Partners have been incredibly supportive in developing my practice. I joined the firm as a first year Associate five years ago and they supported every marketing effort, client development idea, and above all, they set a high standard for the legal services we deliver. In other words, they encouraged me to seek new business and develop my own clients, while also putting me around high calibre lawyers with extensive experience. Then, they made me a Partner and welcomed me into the business. It takes good people that trust you and believe in you.
What does this mean in terms of advancements for Indo-Canadians in the legal profession today?
It’s difficult to think of oneself as breaking new ground. I tend to think more about the people around me and other significant events in 2014. Jeevyn Dhaliwal and Pinder Cheema, Q.C., were elected as Benchers of the Law Society of British Columbia. The Law Society regulates the legal profession and those appointments were the first to achieve those posts. Also in 2014, Neena Sharma was appointed as a judge to the BC Supreme Court. This was also the 100-year Anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident.
I honestly hope that a young Indo-Canadian student reading this story is inspired by the fact that it is possible to dream big, because each person that believes in that dream will pave the way for my children and future generations.
What was one of the challenges you faced as a lawyer and how did you overcome it?
I always wanted to be a Corporate Lawyer. I was articling in early 2009 and the financial markets crashed, which meant jobs were scarce. I changed practice areas and became a courtroom litigator. That is one of the beauties of this profession – it is somewhat recession proof. Lawyers practice in many fields: private practice, in-house counsel at corporations, and all levels of government.
What role does diversity play? Are law firms supportive of diversity?
One would hope that law firms are supportive of diversity, but it is an ancient profession that is somewhat resistant to change. Given the success of the Indo-Canadian community at large and sheer population in this province, businesses need to be progressive and inclusive.
On May 22, 2014 Mr. Ajay Banga, President and CEO of MasterCard, gave a commencement address to the graduating class at NYU Stern School of Business, a highly regarded university. MasterCard is a global company and Mr. Banga is an accomplished and proud turbaned-Sikh. He says “Diversity is what drives better insights, better decisions, and better products. It’s the backbone of innovation. It’s what defines a great leadership culture …” Mr. Banga is basically telling the business world to adapt or risk failing.
Growing up, who was your inspiration?
Without a doubt, my parents: Kulwant Singh and Baljit Kaur Tung. To truly succeed in any job or career, you need inspiration and motivation. People find it in different places. We were not poor growing up, but my parents worked incredibly
hard in low paying jobs to save aggressively and provide my brother and I with all of the opportunities Canada had to provide. I often laugh at the expression that “We came to this country for you … so make us proud” – but that was probably my biggest inspiration.
What do you do for fun or to get away from the stresses of work?
The most entertaining person in my world is my wife of over 10 years, Priya. She is a Chartered Accountant and another busy professional, so work-life-balance is important to both of us. We have two little rug-rats, daughter Amira and son Jovin. They are the best way to remind us what is most important in life … family.
