FH&P Celebrates Growth & Success In 2022

Business of the Year has a nice ring to it.

As FH&P Lawyers prepare to ring in the New Year, it is the perfect time to celebrate the many successes and milestones from 2022 — highlighted by winning Business of the Year at the Grant Thornton Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards in June.

“Looking back on 2022, and considering all the challenges from COVID, I couldn’t be more proud of our team and our accomplishments,” said Dylan Switzer, Managing Partner. “We’ve continued to grow, welcoming several talented and experienced professionals to our team and expanding our services in Penticton and West Kelowna. Now we look forward to raising the bar again in 2023.”

Partner Darren Kautz accepted that award on behalf of FH&P Lawyers.

“To win is a true testament to all of our hard-working team,” Switzer said at the time.

Growth and expansion was the big theme for 2022, with FH&P opening a new location in West Kelowna and completing renovations at their Penticton location that opened in the fall of 2019 before the start of the pandemic. Ava Aslani and Chris Fraser also joined forces with FH&P, bringing their established practices under the law firm’s banner.

“We really are designed to serve the entire Okanagan community,” said Chief Operating Officer Murray Bye. “Our firm is unique in the fact we are a full-service firm, operating in several towns and cities. As well, we are home to lawyers that are fluent in several different languages, including but not limited to French, German, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and Cantonese.

“Our goal is to provide the same full service in Penticton and the South Okanagan as we do in Kelowna,” added Bye. “By having access to our Kelowna lawyers as well, clients experience a full-service legal firm versus having to deal with several different law firms, depending on the practice area of the legal matter.”

Jens Deppe anchors the Penticton location, along with Ian McAndrews, who has served that community for more than three decades throughout his law career. Audra Bayer and Karsten Erzinger joined the firm this fall as familiar faces at the West Kelowna location, with their thriving family law practice. Erzinger hails from Penticton and works out of both offices.

They are two of many new faces from 2022, including seven additions to the Legal Team, and FH&P is continuing to hire heading into the New Year. Opportunities are abound with continued strong demand for legal services.

FH&P was involved in several community initiatives throughout 2022, ranging from fundraising efforts for Ukraine to participating in the Downtown Kelowna Block Party as a fun networking event. The firm also entered a team in On The Lawn, the annual lawn bowling tournament that raised $30,000 for Elevation Outdoors to help enhance the lives of local youth through outdoor activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking.

“Our team enjoys giving back to the community and getting out in the community,” said Switzer. “From volunteering in youth sports and other capacities to serving on a variety of boards and committees, FH&P maintains a strong community presence and a commitment to being active in the communities we serve.”

FH&P also connects with the community through content in the form of blog posts, radio spots, and the Law Talk Podcast, co-hosted by Clay Williams and Tanvir Gill, who have continued to build their brand and enlighten their audience on a biweekly basis, along with their insightful guests. For her efforts, Gill was honoured by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce among the BDO Top 40 Under 40 in 2022.

“We have a really balanced and diversified team, and we look forward to serving the legal needs of the various communities,” said Bye. “Our lawyers will continue to share their knowledge and expertise, and help keep everyone informed on the trending topics within the field of law.”

FH&P Lawyers are rooted in community and have been helping clients in the Okanagan for over 100 years. We have upgraded to 3 locations and now have a law office in Kelowna, Westbank, and Penticton, to serve our community better. To speak to a lawyer about your case, click here to contact us.