284 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 79 PART 2 MARCH 2021
emony, attended by a few family and friends, with champagne smuggled
into the courthouse in a court bag and a (plastic) glass for Karina to smash
in celebratory Jewish tradition. It was important to Karina to be part of this
historic moment in the fight for human rights and to show solidarity with
her sisters and brothers in the LGBTQ community who had gone before to
make this moment possible.
Of particular importance and meaning to Karina was her work as panel
counsel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. She loved going to foster
homes and meeting with the children, something that always involved food
(perhaps a throwback to her Argentinian childhood), with ice cream and
treats being integral parts of these meetings. As Karina put it, she wanted to
adopt them all. This love of children has clearly flowed over into her personal
life. When asked to describe what accomplishment she is most proud of, without
hesitation she names her two sons whom she co-parents with her former
spouse. It is her particular joy, as she puts it, being a parent to two small people,
watching them grow and having the opportunity to help shape them.
In 2007, Karina packed up her life and her practice to relocate to beautiful
Victoria, British Columbia. She requalified for admission to the bar of
British Columbia and with the same fearless courage and conviction
“jumped in” and opened her own firm in Victoria, which she operated successfully
until her appointment to the bench. The firm focused primarily
on family law matters and included all the drama, intrigue and energy that
goes hand in hand with a family law litigation practice. In 2009, Karina qualified
as a family law mediator, recognizing that most family law disputes are
best served through a negotiated settlement.
In her spare time, when not with her partner, Andrea, or the boys, she
can be found outside. An avid mountain and road bike rider, yoga practitioner
and runner, Karina stresses how important sporting activity is, especially
when working in a position requiring acute listening skills, to be
“sharp, present and focused” in her work.
With all its twists and turns, Karina describes her life to this point as a
“rich journey”; not much, she says, separates us from each other, save for
opportunity and often simple luck. As she did with her clients, Karina
aspires to connect compassionately with those coming before her in the
courtroom, recognizing that each person has their own unique story with
ups and downs and obstacles to overcome. There is strength, she says, in
the ability to have compassion for others, the desire to help and the willingness
to face a challenge.
If her past legal practice and personal qualities are any indication of her
career on the bench to come, Judge Sacca promises to be a decision maker
of exceptional compassion, courage and fearlessness.