October 21, 2024
Choosing the Right Canada Immigration Lawyer: What Should I Look For?
I want to live in Canada, but I find the process complicated. How do I choose the right Canadian immigration lawyer? Here are ten factors to consider:
- Verify Qualifications: First, ensure you are dealing with a licensed lawyer who practices law in Canada and is a member in good standing of a provincial law society or the Canadian Bar Association. Certification as a “specialist in immigration law” is another indicator of commitment to excellence in this field.
- Relevant Experience: Experience is important, but make sure it’s the right kind of experience. It’s crucial that the lawyer handling your case has dealt with similar cases effectively. If your situation is complex—such as involving medical or criminal inadmissibility—seek a lawyer who specializes in these areas.
- Reputation: Consider your lawyer’s reputation within the immigration legal community and among previous clients. Review testimonials and feedback from past clients. Check if the lawyer has been recognized by peers, and whether their name appears in decisions at the Immigration and Refugee Board, Federal Courts, or the Supreme Court of Canada. This can give you insight into their professionalism and success rate.
- Referrals: A referral from a satisfied previous client can be valuable. This provides a first-hand account of their experience with the lawyer and their staff.
- Support Staff: Take into account who will assist the lawyer. Sometimes staff handle significant portions of the case, so it’s important to learn about their qualifications and experience as well.
- Retainer Agreement: If you decide to hire a lawyer, ensure you are comfortable with the retainer agreement and fee structure, including billing methods and milestones. Some lawyers charge hourly fees, while others offer a flat fee for their services. Understand what the fees cover from the outset to avoid surprises later.
- Accessibility: Establish early how accessible your lawyer will be for important updates. What modes of communication are available—phone, email, or another method? What is the expected response time?
- Knowledge of Immigration Law: Canadian immigration law is complex and constantly evolving. Your lawyer should have in-depth knowledge of current policies, procedures, and regulations. Ideally, they should practice immigration law full-time, indicating a strong depth of experience and expertise in this area.
- Communication Skills: From your first interaction with a potential lawyer, assess their communication skills. It’s critical to feel valued and secure when working with an immigration lawyer. You should have an open relationship with them—one that is responsive, transparent, and capable of explaining legal concepts clearly.
- Personal Attention: Does your lawyer pay sufficient attention to your specific case? Choose someone who dedicates enough time to analyze its various facets and options.
Many excellent immigration lawyers across Canada are genuinely committed and passionate about their work and the people they represent. With thorough research, you should be able to find an outstanding immigration lawyer to assist you on your journey.
Thank you for reading.
Mario D. Bellissimo
Mario D. Bellissimo is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and is a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law and Refugee Protection. He is the founder of BELLISSIMO LAW GROUP PC and the principal lawyer with a practice focus on citizenship, immigration and protected person litigation and inadmissibility law. Mr. Bellissimo has appeared before all levels of immigration tribunals and courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Law Section, serves as an appointed member of the Federal Court Rules Committee and participates on multiple stakeholder committees involving the Federal Courts, the Immigration and Refugee Board, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Canada Border Services Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Department of Justice.
Mr. Bellissimo has testified before Parliamentary and Senate Committees on several proposed amendments to immigration law over the years. He has been lead on policy papers, legal analysis and proposed recommendations to government on behalf of immigration advocacy associations and in his personal capacity.
Mr. Bellissimo acts on a pro bono basis for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital and Pro Bono Law Ontario and as the National Immigration Law and Policy Advisor for COSTI Immigration Resettlement Services. He and his team represent clients from all over the world and Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC is exclusively committed to Canadian citizenship, immigration and refugee matters. Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC handles hundreds of files each year and represents clients at every stage of the immigration process.
Mr. Bellissimo has authored several legal publications including (1) Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law, Second Edition, (2) Labour Market Impact Assessments, Compliance and Enforcement: A Practical Guide, (3) Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility: Criminal Law Edition, (4) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Corporate Edition, (5) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Refugee Law Edition, (6) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Immigration Practitioner’s Edition, (7) he is the Editor-in-Chief of ImmQuest, and the (8) Immigration Law Reporter. Mr. Bellissimo has taught several immigration law courses, speaks across Canada and appears frequently in the media on breaking citizenship, immigration and refugee stories.