GURJIT K. TIWANA – A DETERMINED LADY LAWYER

“ I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” — Invictus, William Ernest Henley

“ I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” — Invictus, William Ernest Henley

Gurjit was born and raised in Richmond, B.C., and obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia in 1997. She then attended the University of Manitoba and the University of British Columbia and obtained her law degree in 2001. She was called to the bar in 2002. Gurjit’s main areas of practice are criminal and family law. She is currently in the process of becoming a certified Mediator. She has attained great success in all levels of trial and Appellate Court. Gurjit is an avid advocate for addressing and protecting the needs and interests of both parents and children in family matters. In her criminal practice, she focuses on rehabilitation and believes everyone deserves a second chance.

She is passionate about her chosen fields of law, and her top priority is her clients. She garnered a reputation as a zealous and fierce advocate for her clients. In Gurjit’s practice, she usually sees people during one of the worst moments. Gurjit believes that you must add something that cannot be bought or measured with money to give honest service: sincerity and integrity. She finds it extremely rewarding to assist her clients with these two things. She lives by and guides her client’s with the last two stanzas from the famous poem Invictus by Ernest Henley. “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” Thus, she collaborated with Paramjit S. Malhi and opened the doors to INVICTUS LAW LLP.

A determined, focused woman, Gurjit has triumphed despite many trials and tribulations in her life. A person’s grit and true strengths are shown when challenged in the toughest of situations. After creating a solid and viable firm, her law partner and childhood friend, Ellora Sandhu, battled cancer for a few years, which eventually took Ms. Sandhu’s life. Gurjit not only supported her friend throughout the ordeal but also carried the weight of the firm and never missed a beat. This is just an example of how she has handled adversity in her life.

Her strong advocacy has led her to become an inspiration for new lawyers. Young women aspiring to become lawyers or just starting off their careers routinely come to see her. She happily provides mentorship to them.

Gurjit is dedicated to her profession and takes time out of her busy schedule and family life. She provides legal education to the community by participating in legal talk shows on East Indian radio programs. She openly gives to the community by taking on pro bono cases for women in need and providing free advice and assistance to low-income families. She has participated in the Lawyer Referral Service for over 15 years, recognized by the Canadian Bar Association for her contribution. She was also nominated for the Surrey Board of Trade’s Surrey Women in Business Award. Gurjit is a supporter of Options Community Services and has served as a South Asian Bar Association member.

As a businesswoman, a wife, and a mother of two, she strives to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. Deeply involved in her academic and extracurricular activities, she is always there for her two boys. When she works, she works hard. And when she plays, she also plays hard.