‘Do good work and help people’

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When Connor Bildfell joined the Canadian Bar Association in his first year of law school, getting involved wasn’t just about networking; it was a way to contribute to causes and advocacy efforts he cared about.

“Advocacy for me is really what the CBA is all about,” he says. 

“One of its main strengths is its ability to be the voice of the profession, and to make submissions and advocate for changes that advance access to justice and the interests of the public. I believe strongly in that.”

That dedication to legal advocacy saw Bildfell honoured with CBA’s Douglas Miller Rising Star Award earlier this year. The award recognizes members who demonstrate outstanding dedication and team spirit in their ongoing involvement with the association. 

“It felt really special to receive this award from an organization that has meant so much to me and given so much to me,” he says. 

Bildfell’s commitment to pro bono work was what inspired Miranda Lam to nominate him. 

“Connor is very giving of his time to others,” says Lam, a colleague at McCarthy Tétrault in Vancouver, where Bildfell is a partner in the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution group. 

“To me, that underscores that it's not just about lawyering for him. He really understands the role of law in shaping the world around us and making sure that the law works for the people.”

She says law is a profession where you learn by doing, and Bildfell, with all his colleagues and peers, tries to model the behaviour they all aspire to. 

“He has time for everybody.”

Bildfell has represented the CBA as pro bono counsel in multiple proceedings, including a recent challenge of BC’s Legal Professions Act, which saw the court recognize the independence of the bar as an unwritten constitutional principle. 

“Through that experience…I really had the opportunity to do a very deep dive into the concept of independence of the bar, its significance to what we do as lawyers, and its importance to the public at large. As you can imagine, the constitutional guarantees that are made to Canadians aren't worth much if there aren't independent advocates to fight to uphold them,” he says.

Known for his skill and versatility, Bildfell is one of the youngest lawyers ever to serve as vice president of the CBA’s BC branch. He’s also served on the Access to Justice Committee, one of the first outlets through which he contributed to the CBA's advocacy work.

In his practice, he’s represented clients in private arbitrations and before courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court of Canada. One of his most memorable cases at the Court was S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corp., which he litigated with two of his close mentors. 

“I feel that case stands out not only because it was an important case for the particular individual that we were representing, but also because so much of what we do as lawyers is teamwork. I've always revelled in opportunities to work with people that I respect and admire,” he says. 

“That was one case where I really learned a lot from my colleagues, and it stands out as an example of the sort of mentorship that everybody hopes to receive as lawyers.” 

Bildfell deliberately maintains a fairly generalist practice, preferring to work in different areas of law rather than specializing in just one. 

“Variety is the spice of life, and I think there's some truth to that,” he says.

“I enjoy being able to work in different areas, and it's something that I pride myself on. I think it makes you a better lawyer because you're able to cross-pollinate ideas from different areas of the law and see how the law works as more of a web rather than as isolated silos that operate independently in parallel.”

“It allows me to serve my clients better when I can see how the law works from a holistic perspective, and I can see how different areas of the law are developing.”

Lam has seen firsthand how Bildfell has flourished while taking on cases across different areas of law.

“At the earliest stages of his career, you could tell that he is an outstanding, thoughtful counsel, not just someone who could come up with brilliant arguments and write well and communicate well. He really understands what's important to a client and how to advocate for them in the most effective way possible, whether that's in court or in writing or with opposing counsel,” she says.

“I know few others who have put as much time and effort and thoughtfulness into that as Connor.”

Lam hopes to see him continue his work in litigation and advocacy, “because it's really inspirational to everyone else.”

Looking ahead, Bildfell has every intention of maintaining a learning mindset and applying his skills to advocating for the causes he’s passionate about. 

“I think my main ambition is simply to do good work and to help people,” he says, noting the legal profession is an opportunity to do just that. 

“We meet people at their most difficult moments. Often, they're facing challenges in their lives, whether it's business or personal, and they need help navigating a system that is almost impenetrable to most of us. Getting to be a trusted advisor and an advocate is something really special.”