Ashif came to Canada from Uganda in 1972, when Ide Amin expelled Asians from Uganda. Although he was only 2-years old at the time, this background has caused Ashif to truly appreciate the legal framework that allows most Canadians to enjoy extraordinary freedoms and opportunities.

Ashif has always enjoyed learning and engaging in advocacy, as reflected in his educational background.

Ashif graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours Standing from the History Program.

As an undergraduate student, Ashif was heavily involved in university life, particularly debating. He received the Frank De Bruyn Memorial Debating Prize from UBC in his first year as an undergraduate, and won the UBC In-House Debating Tournament in both his first and second year.

Ashif then went to the prestigious University of Toronto Law School, where he obtained an LL.B. During his time at the University of Toronto, Ashif won highly coveted positions on two national moot teams: the Davies Ward and Beck Securities Law Moot and the Wilson Constitutional Law Moot. At the Securities Law Moot, Ashif’s team won the award for best factum (written argument). At the Wilson Moot, Ashif’s team won best team in the round robin, second team overall, and second place factum. Ashif was one of the top 10 individual mooters.

In 1998-1999, Ashif articled at a litigation focused firm in downtown Vancouver.

He then earned valuable litigation experience at a family Law firm and boutique ICBC defense firm in downtown Vancouver, before moving to an in-house litigation position.

In 2001, Ashif took a full time position as in-house litigation counsel with a significant group of companies based in British Columbia and Alberta. By 2003, Ashif cleared up the work backlog for those companies.  He developed a reputation with counsel at other firms, which allowed him to reduce his hours to a part time position.

In 2003, Ashif used his additional time to establish a very enjoyable private practice in which he was able to help people with more normal means than his primary client. In 2016, Ashif finally moved from a part time sole practice to a full-time sole practice. The vast majority of his work since 2016 has come from previous clients and referrals. Ashif is always honoured by the trust his clients have placed in him.

Ashif is a past president and executive member of the New Westminster Bar Association (the oldest Bar Association in British Columbia). Ashif continues to be involved in the New Westminster Bar Association, along with the South Asian Bar Association.