With an acute sense of fairness and justice at a young age, it’s no surprise that when asked who she looks up to, Barbara Lohmann replies, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michelle Obama and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin. They are strong, trailblazing, and principled women.”
The new Director of the FVREB Professional Standards Department is the first lawyer in her family. Barbara embarked on a legal career spanning real estate, mental health, and regulators for both federal and provincial entities.
Twenty-three years after starting her career in real estate law, Barbara has come full circle to head the Professional Standards Department, leading a small but efficient team.
“I am eager to apply my experience to benefit both the department and the Professional Conduct Committee,” Barbara explains. “I want to ensure that communications and documents issued by Professional Standards are timely, professional, and consistent, and that our staff assist Members in every way possible to maintain their professional conduct.”
Her career in professional regulation took a twist in 2013 when she felt the need to pivot to another career that fascinated her.
“I found myself seeking an opportunity which aligned with my professional values and accepted a role at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Coquitlam working with patients who committed crimes but also suffered from a mental health disorder.”
At FPH, she worked with the BC Review Board which determines whether people who are found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental disorder, remain in custody at FPH to continue treatment or whether they can be discharged back into the community, as their risk to the public has been mitigated.
After seven years at FPH, Barbara joined the Law Society of BC as Discipline Counsel and conducted discipline hearings against lawyers facing professional allegations. Upon leaving the Law Society, she joined the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC as Director of Membership Regulation.
Now with the FVREB’s Professional Standards Department, Barbara still finds time for exercise, reading, watching movies, spending time with friends and her passion, travel.
“I’ve visited every continent except Antarctica and have been fortunate to have been on a safari twice in Africa. The most recent was last year, when I also did a trek to see gorillas in Rwanda. It is a truly extraordinary experience to see these magnificent animals in their native habitat. As the saying goes, I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my bucket list!”
With a career ‘bucket list’ as full as it is, it’s clear, Barbara prioritizes her passion for travel as much as she does her passion for professional growth.
FVREB Communications