We’ll help you mitigate the effects of relationship breakdowns.
Our Team
Principal, Founder
Abby Pang, LLB
Abby is a lawyer and loving mother of two children. She is an advocate for healthy families and children. She has turned her energy towards supporting families, by providing guidance and helping families navigate through the legal system, while empowering them to have a voice throughout the process.
Abby Pang’s journey began in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Subsequently, her family moved to the east side of Vancouver, before moving to Richmond, where she spent most of her childhood. Her father was a refugee who came to Canada in 1970, and from him she learned the meaning of grit.
In her youth, Abby experienced a breakdown in her family unit which resulted in divorce. She understands that marital breakdowns and divorces can be complicated, but also devastating. She also understands there are alternative options and ways to mitigate the damaging effects of the process.
Abby earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, studying psychology and family studies. She earned a law degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, exchange program through the Hong Kong University. In 2008, she returned to British Columbia to work in a large law office while completing her National Certificate of Accreditation. She then completed her articles in a boutique law firm in Vancouver. She was called to the British Columbia bar in 2012.
Abby has appeared in Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. She deals with personal injury claims, sexual assault (civil) claims, and family law matters: Jansson v. Malone, 2021; Binning v. Kandola, 2021; Bergeron v. Malloy, 2020; Urwin v. Hanson, 2019; Lally v. He, 2016; Kandola v. Mactavish, 2016; Kweon v. Roy, 2016; Chan v. Caer, 2014; Saadati v. Moorhead, 2015; Loft v. Nat, 2015. In addition to her court experience, Abby takes a “family first” approach and is resolution-focused. She is registered through the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
As a lawyer, Abby Pang’s community involvement included volunteer work with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and the Canadian Bar Association Women Lawyers’ Forum. As well, she had the opportunity to assist at Rise Women’s Legal Center and Battered Women’s Support Services through volunteering with Amici Curiae Friends of Court.
Abby is the recipient of A Woman of Worth Leader of the Year Award 2023 for her outstanding achievements in strengthening her community/organization through innovative approaches to resolving challenges and inspiring meaningful change. She has been recognized nationally as a nominee of the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards 2023, which honours extraordinary women leaders and businesses.
In her personal time, Abby enjoys snowboarding, bike riding, and spending time with her family.
Associate Lawyer
Amanda Johl, JD
Amanda was called to the Ontario Bar in October 2023 and British Columbia Bar in November 2023. Amanda attended law school in Toronto, ON and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Lincoln Alexander Faculty of Law at TMU.
During her time in law school, Amanda was involved in various leadership roles, holding executive positions on student associations including the Women’s Legal Education Association and the Criminal Law Students’ Society, among others. Amanda also founded the first Family Law Students’ Society at her law school. In her third year, Amanda had the invaluable opportunity to clerk for a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice, as part as her professional placement. She conducted legal research for judges and prepared memorandums on issues relating to family law, child protection and youth criminal matters.
Prior to law school, Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University, studying criminology and sociology. With a passion for becoming a lawyer from early on, Amanda gained considerable legal experience before graduating law school. Amanda worked as a legal assistant on corporate and commercial law matters at a full-service law firm in Vancouver for 3+ years. She continued to work at this firm during her summers in law school as well.
Amanda’s innate desire to help others, coupled with her own family circumstances and life experiences, led her to pursue a career in family law. From experiencing her own parent’s divorce at a young age, Amanda felt the emotional, psychological, and social implications that arise from such breakdown. Amanda believes her ability to empathize and truly resonate with her clients, while being able to remain rational during emotionally charged situations, helps her achieve the best results for clients. Amanda leverages her experience and knowledge to empower clients to navigate the emotional and tedious process that results from a breakdown of a marriage.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys travelling and exploring new restaurants or events in the city.
Articling Student
Katie Browning, JD
Katie is an articling student who has a keen interest in family dynamics and relationships. She is passionate about building a legal practice that prioritizes a client-centered approach, where clients feel informed and empowered as she supports them through our legal system.
Katie was raised in New Westminster, BC. She earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours with Distinction) from the University of Victoria, studying psychology. During her undergraduate studies, Katie enjoyed courses on topics such as relationship development and breakdown, child development, and interpersonal communication—which led her to her interest in family law today.
Katie graduated with her JD degree from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia in May 2023. She served as a Student Clinician at Rise Women’s Legal Centre in her second year of law school, where she provided pro-bono legal services to women and gender diverse people in their family law matters. With this experience in the non-profit sector of the family justice system, Katie understands the common barriers to obtaining legal information and advice, and she is committed to promoting access to justice.
In her final year at UBC, Katie led one of Canada’s leading peer-reviewed legal journals, the UBC Law Review, as the Editor-in-Chief (Editorial). She is proud to have helped facilitate the journal’s transition to an online open-access platform in 2023, so that legal research published in the UBC Law Review can reach a much wider audience.
With her keen attention to detail, diligent work ethic, and compassionate demeanor, Katie is excited to complete her articles at Illuma Law.
In her personal time, Katie enjoys going seawall walks or bike rides, listening to a good psychology podcast, and taking care of her vegetable garden.
Interested in joining our team? Email your resume to Illuma Family Law!