Darren Kautz 40 Under 40

Partner Darren Kautz has been selected for the BDO 40 Under 40 list from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.

“I am honoured to have been selected for the BDO 40 Under 40 list by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. When looking at the other names on the list, it is an impressive group of influencers in our own backyard, all under the age of 40. Thank you to the organizers of the list for selecting me and congratulations to the other honourees.”

The list recognizes young professionals in our community and their many accomplishments. This year’s list is made up of young leaders and entrepreneurs that are local difference-makers like Darren.

Story courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce:

Darren Kautz graduated from the University of Calgary with a law degree in 2007, where he then articled and practiced law briefly in Alberta. Darren’s wife’s family is one of the early farming families in Rutland and she encouraged him to look for employment in the Okanagan. Growing up in a family of ranchers in eastern Alberta, the move to BC was different however the beauty and lifestyle that the Okanagan affords its residents was too hard to pass up. Darren and his wife purchased an acreage in Oyama which gave them the country lifestyle they wanted yet close to the city.

Upon moving to the Okanagan, Darren joined Nixon Wenger LLP in Vernon in September 2008 and worked as an associate until 2015. In 2016 he ventured out to become Associate Counsel in Kelowna to focus his practice and devout more time to his two sons and volunteering in their many activities. In 2020 Darren made partner with one of the oldest law firms in the Okanagan, FH&P Lawyers LLP. His legal practice has always involved mentoring younger lawyers and being the lawyer who was willing to step up in difficult cases or circumstances.

Darren’s goal has always been to try and build a positive experience for those he works with, volunteers with or coaches. He has been involved in sports, specifically coaching hockey and baseball since 2005. Darren has completed the first level of competitive baseball coaching and has his developmental hockey coaching certification. When Darren moved to the Okanagan, he coached the Vernon double A Bantam hockey team in 2008-2009 and sat on the Vernon Minor Hockey Board for 2 more years.

When not coaching sports, Darren spends his time volunteering all over the Okanagan to try and make his community the very best it can be. Darren supports Ducks Unlimited, sat on the Board of Directors Brain Trust from 2013-2018 and is a Director with Restorative Justice from 2009 to present. In 2013 he also assisted the Provincial Court Guidelines Board.

Darren has his BA in Anthropology and his Law Degree, both from the University of Calgary. In his undergrad he received the Jason Lang Scholarship and was admitted to the First Nations Field Studies program. And in law school he took part in a semester abroad at UofC’s sister school in Copenhagen and received the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board Prize.

Darren attributes some of his achievements to growing up on a ranch which permitted him to grow as a person in many ways. Not only was he able to learn to ride horses and herd cattle but he completed his Royal Conservatory Piano to grade 6 and achieved his Students Pilot License in 1998.

Q&A with Darren Kautz

How are you currently approaching the current situation?

I am approaching the pandemic with optimism. I am optimistic that from the current struggles we will adapt new policies that will permit the business world to become stronger and better able to provide services in a fast and efficient fashion.

Where are you now? Are you still working, at home or at work? How is the business you own/work for currently?

I am working from home 75% of the time and in the office the remaining time. Our law firm, FH&P Lawyers, has adapted technologies to permit remote access and I am proud of our firms lawyers and staff in their utilization of the technology to provide the same great service to our clients from the office, home or wherever. Our firm has been assisting Kelowna, the Okanagan and BC for over 100 years and the pandemic has brought about new innovative ways for our law firm to assist our clients.

What is your favourite quote?

‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ - Winston Churchill