Executive Bios
President
Kurtis Kolthammer, Knowledge Services Technician Fasken
After working years at Thierry Chocolate Patisserie and getting his diploma in Game Development & Design, Kurtis (he/him) found his true passion in Library Technician Studies at Langara College. From there he worked at Lawson Lundell for a short contract and then at UBC as a Rights & Permissions Assistant. He now works at Fasken where he has been thoroughly enthralled with the Law Library world. Outside of work, he is an avid gamer, enjoying live tabletop D&D sessions and MMOs such as Guild Wars 2 and Final Fantasy XIV. He reads everything by Brandon Sanderson and The Stormlight Archive is his favourite series of all time. Of all places in Vancouver, the walk along Iona Jetty is his favourite with the ocean on each side and the planes flying overhead.
Past President
Caroline Nevin, Chief Executive Officer Courthouse Libraries BC
Caroline has been practising for more than 30 years in non-profit & business management and public, media & government relations. She is currently the CEO of BC Courthouse Libraries, and was previously the Executive Director of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch. Caroline’s strong professional and communications skills are complemented by a caring, human-focused approach. Caroline has a passion for helping people to achieve their goals and thrive, whether in the resolution of legal problems or in the pursuit of excellence in legal or librarian practice.
Vice President
Nancy Li, Counsel, Research & Knowledge Services Blakes
Membership Secretary
Alise Nelson, Courthouse Library
Alise has worked in libraries since 2014. She started out in children and youth services before joining the team at Courthouse Libraries in the Spring of 2020, where she manages the Prince George branch. When not providing community outreach and research assistance to in-person clients, Alise is also part of the Courthouse Libraries email reference team, assisting both the legal community and members of the public with their legal information questions. Outside of work, she has decidedly Jane Austen hobbies and enjoys knitting, crocheting, reading, gardening, and practicing piano. Alise is the first long distance VALL secretary!
Treasurer
Erin Clupp, Research Librarian Norton Rose Fulbright
Erin joined Norton Rose Fulbright as the Research Librarian in August 2019. Before joining the law library world, she worked predominantly in the archives and records management field. After completing her MLIS from the University of Western Ontario in 2014, she spent three years living and working abroad in Doha, Qatar before moving to Vancouver. Erin previously served on the VALL Executive as Co-Chair of the Program Committee from 2020-2021. She also currently serves as the Local and Regional Updates Editor for CALL/ACBD’s Canadian Law Library Review publication.
Program Committee
Alex Everitt, Research Librarian Harris & Company LLP
Alex is responsible for all things related to operating and managing a law firm library. She spends the majority of her days conducting legal research, providing current awareness, and completing library related administrative tasks. She also spends a lot of time facilitating student training, liaising with vendors, and organizing information. She sits on numerous firm committees and like most librarians she is always trying to find ways to highlight the library’s importance within the firm.
Kate LeBere, Research Coordinator, Research & Knowledge Services Blakes
Kate joined Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as a Research Coordinator after completing her MLIS at the University of British Columbia in 2023. Before entering the field of law librarianship, she worked for various Digital Humanities projects at the University of Victoria, University of Guelph, and City University of New York. Outside of work, she likes to dance, go on long walks by the ocean, read classic novels, and visit cute coffee shops and art galleries.
Chelsea Merkl, Legal Research Analyst Borden Ladner Gervais
Chelsea joined Borden Ladner Gervais in 2022, starting as a Library Collections and Procurement Technician and moving into the Legal Research Analyst role shortly after. Prior to BLG, Chelsea worked for 7 years as a Library Technician at Capilano University, where she also earned her Legal Administrative Assistant diploma. Outside of work she spends as much time in the mountains as possible; camping, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, fishing, anything!
VALL Review Editors
Beth Galbraith, Supervisor of Library and Digital Content Services Clark Wilson
Beth Galbraith has been a member of the VALL Executive since 2019 when she joined as Vice President. She was also a VALL Review Editor from 2008 to 2011. Beth has been working at Clark Wilson LLP since 2017. Prior to working at Clark Wilson she worked at UBC and other special libraries including Transport Canada. She enjoys working with students, developing and implementing training programs and assisting with legal research.
Suzanne McBeath, Corporate Librarian Metro Vancouver
Suzanne first dipped her toe into the world of law librarianship with a year-long contract as a Research Librarian with McMillan. She now does legal research along with lots of other things, as a Corporate Librarian with Metro Vancouver since 2017. Outside of work, she likes to read, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.
Web Editor
Jen Brubacher, Librarian DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Jen started in public libraries in 2005. She studied Library and Information Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and moved back to Canada in 2015 after working in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Reference Library, and volunteering for an archival project at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. She misses the dogs and cats more than the archives. She started on the VALL exec as an editor for the VALL Review, assembling collaborative articles through the pandemic. Outside of work she plays video games and eats sushi.
