Sharon Singh is sought after for her advice on regulatory matters, governance, environmental law and Indigenous relations in a variety of sectors.
Since joining Bennett Jones’ Vancouver office in 2015, Singh has used her network to help build business at the law firm’s newest Canadian location.
Before Bennett Jones, Singh worked for Rio Tinto in Canada and Australia, holding senior positions across many fields. She cites her transition to private practice after Rio Tinto as her greatest career achievement to date, as her corporate and regulatory experience brought a fresh perspective to her law practice.
“I remember sitting in my office chair overlooking the rail tracks, with Mount Baker in the background, thinking, ‘I feel comfortable,’ which for me is not a good thing,” she said. “Given my passion for law and policy, I knew it was time to re-establish myself as a lawyer.”
A member of the Canadian Bar Association, Singh has led negotiations with 11 Indigenous nations for a uranium mining project and created a coalition of companies to help remove restrictions on foreign ownership through the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union. She’s worked with a First Nation to facilitate land transfer enabling its ownership and participation in economic development opportunities including the liquefied natural gas sector. She’s advised the Capital Regional District (CRD) Wastewater Treatment Plant Board, helped the CRD secure government funding and approvals and represented clients in Canadian Environmental Assessment Act review processes.
Called to the bar in four Canadian jurisdictions and Australia, Singh is recognized in The Legal 500 Canada as a leader in Indigenous law, and was ranked as an Associate to Watch in Indigenous law in Canada by Chambers and Partners.
Winner of the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Wendy McDonald Award in 2016, Singh is a founding member and vice-chair, policy, of the Business Council of British Columbia’s (BCBC) Next Leaders’ Council and is a member of several BCBC committees.
Birthplace: Chandigarh, India
Where you live now: Vancouver
Highest level of education: Master of law, Monash University
Currently reading: The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland (to my daughter).… Currently on hold is Lincoln by Gore Vidal
Currently listening to: “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone
When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: A surgeon – but then I dissected a cow’s heart in Biology 11, and with that my burgeoning career – or a diplomat (but my French is terrible)
Profession you would most like to try: Policy adviser to the prime minister/cabinet or a psychoanalyst (there is a causation relationship there)
Toughest business or professional decision: Not necessarily tough, but certainly a motivator to prove myself, was moving back to Canada and having to build up my network and reputation both internally within my company and externally. Then again when I decided to shift my focus from business to law when I moved from Rio Tinto to Bennett Jones. I remember every single lawyer I spoke to before I made the decision, except one, thinking I was making a mistake, because I had the “sweet spot”
Advice you would give the younger you: Volunteer more, and your parents are most likely always going to be right
What’s left to do: The list is lengthy, and includes spending more time with family, giving back to and making a difference in my community, further advancing my professional knowledge
“Given my passion for law and policy, I knew it was time to re-establish myself as a lawyer”
Join us to celebrate the 2019 Forty under 40 Awards on January 30, 2020, at the Westin Bayshore. For tickets and event information visit https://www.biv.com/forty-under-40
