Next Generation Partners

Business immigration in Canada

Green and Spiegel LLP

Toronto-centred boutique firm Green and Spiegel LLP delivers market-leading business counsel which spans the range of immigration issues; temporary resident visas, startup visas, Francophone Mobility work permits, interview preparation, refugee applications and litigation feature are among the groups specialties. Qualified to practice law in both Canada and the US, practice co-head Evan Green is highly specialized in cross-border matters and handles corporate employee transfers, federal skilled worker applications and investor applications. Leading alongside him, immigration all-rounder Stephen Green has extensive experience assisting high-net-worth individuals with the permanent residency process. In recent years, Stephen has assisted numerous clients with all stages of the federal start-up visa program’s application process. An additional key partner-level contact is Shoshana Green, who is noted for her expertise in sponsorship applications. Also of note is senior associate Peter Salerno, who assists individual clients in the review of their negative determinations at the Federal Court, Immigration Division and the Immigration Appeal Division. All lawyers mentioned work in Toronto.

Practice head(s):

Evan Green; Stephen Green


Other key lawyers:

Shoshana Green; Peter Salerno


Testimonials

‘Their partners and staff are efficient, very responsive and always professional. They can turn around visa or work permit application packages in minimum time. They have been providing expert support in Canadian immigration areas such as Canada work permits, permanent residency, compliance and inspections, as well as in the US immigration area of work visas (TN1s & L1s). Unlike larger immigration firms, their processing times are half the length and their support is personalized and hands-on.’

‘Evan Green is a pillar of the immigration community in Toronto, and is always up-to-date on any immigration programs, and is respected and trusted by his clients, peers and by the IRCC. Evan is able to suggest the right option for each situation, and is an excellent problem solver. Evan is always open to personally prepare our partners and employees before they attend interviews or submit in-person applications.’

‘Very responsive, thoughtful, easy to talk through complex or sensitive matters. They are decent people, who are available and helpful. There is no one better than Evan Green.’

Work highlights


  • Advised numerous start-ups in the artificial intelligence space on setting up operations in Canada.
  • Advised several multinational companies to bring IT talent to Canada for large-scale projects.
  • Advised businesses operating in the US on how to bring talent to Canada as efficiently as possible.

BCF Business Law

Specialist Montreal-based immigration firm BCF Business Law hosts a team of both Canadian and American attorneys who assist clients in acquiring, retaining and mobilizing skilled workers located across the globe. The group has experience supporting clients in the computer science, video games, entertainment, financial services, manufacturing, aerospace and pharmaceuticals segments. Practice head Julie Lessard is lauded by one client for her ‘dynamism, specialized knowledge and availability’ and assists both SMEs and multinationals, including Fortune 500 companies, with their immigration requirements. Key partner Sophia Khanzadian is well-versed in the processes for obtaining temporary work permits, business visas, permanent residence and citizenship.

Practice head(s):

Julie Lessard


Other key lawyers:

Sophia Khanzadian


Testimonials

‘The BCF team is distinguished by the variety of topics that lawyers can address. They can answer employers’ questions and guide them through all stages of immigration issues, including recruitment, work permits, taxation and remote work.’

‘Their expertise is remarkable and difficult to match in the field. In particular, Julie Lessard, who stands out for her dynamism, specialized knowledge and availability.’

‘Very proactive and responsive. Always available to answer questions and provided excellent advice and service.’

Dentons

The team at Dentons is known for its skilled handling of work permits, intra-company transfers, business visitor entry preparation, applications to address criminal or medical inadmissibility, as well as the preparation of employment contracts for foreign candidates. The group is co-directed by Toronto-based Henry Chang, who specializes in United States and Canadian immigration law and is regularly sought out by multinationals and professional services firms. Co-leading from Vancouver, Helen Park routinely assists clients in the entertainment, manufacturing, software development, pharmaceutical, and food and hospitality sectors with Canadian work permit applications. Key contacts at associate level include Jonathan Mor and Denise Alba.

Practice head(s):

Henry Chang; Helen Park


Other key lawyers:

Jonathan Mor; Denise Alba


Key clients

Ulkasemi


Stellar Creative Lab


Barnstorm VFX


Aldea Services


Fix Network


Capital Power


Champion Petfoods LP


Alamos Gold


ICICI Bank Canada


Work4ce


VFS Services (Canada)


Young Life


Modern Manufacturing


Gowling WLG

Working closely with the firm’s employment and labour departments, the team at Gowling WLG demonstrates strength assisting clients with temporary work permit applications, permanent residence applications, corporate employee transfer applications and developing immigration and international mobility policies for corporations and startups. Practice co-head Bill MacGregor focuses exclusively on corporate and business immigration, and regularly assists employers with work permits, international transfers and hires. Andrew Bratt (labour and employment, corporate transactions) completes the leadership team. Krista Schofer leads the western Canadian immigration practice and has extensive experience advising on immigration compliance and facilitating the application processes for temporary resident visas, permanent residency and citizenship.

Practice head(s):

Bill MacGregor; Andrew Bratt


Other key lawyers:

Krista Schofer


Key clients

Ledcor Industries


BASF Canada


Work highlights


  • Advised Ledcor Industries on all Canadian immigration matters.
  • Assisted BASF Canada with strategic advice and obtained work permits for company hires and transfers into Canada from other BASF entities.

McCarthy Tétrault

Operating from five strategically-located Canadian offices, the team at McCarthy Tétrault is experienced at supporting clients from the oil-and-gas, mining, energy, banking, retail, hospitality and agriculture segments with a range of business immigration matters. Stéphane Duval, who splits his time between Montreal and Toronto, steers the practice and handles all stages of the visa, work permit and permanent residence application processes; he has additional knowledge of corporate restructurings and M&A. Key partner Julie Resetarits in Montreal frequently assists both domestic and multinational corporations, focusing on professional mobility, work permits and global immigration matters. Senior associate Amy Dupuis-Sène (also at the Montreal office) brings strength to immigration compliance issues. Associate Shefali Tanna in Toronto provides the partners across-the-board support on immigration issues.

Practice head(s):

Stéphane Duval


Other key lawyers:

Julie Resetarits; Shefali Tanna


Sobirovs Law Firm

Toronto-based boutique Sobirovs Law Firm assists corporate and tech-sector clients, foreign businesses, entrepreneurs and investors, with business immigration matters. The group specializes in labour market impact assessments, permanent residence applications and treaty-based immigration. The practice, lauded as an ‘exceptional team with great communication’, is co-led by immigration specialists Feruza Djamalova and Rakhmad Sobirov. Key associate Mariam Jammal has particular experience assisting clients in the gaming, media, tech, manufacturing and professional services segments.

Practice head(s):

Rakhmad Sobirov; Feruza Djamalova


Other key lawyers:

Mariam Jammal


Testimonials

‘They have an exceptional team with great communication. Their recommendations are always accurate and they don’t waste any time.’

‘Their work style is very professional. Their command of technology is excellent.’

Key clients

Abhishek Kumar (Ab Studios Incorporated)


Joshua Keng Wah Tan (Kaimirra Tutan Alchemy Centre)


Femi Julius Akinwumi (Teemittel)


Chibueze Ilechukwu (1277684 BC)


Bothyna Taha Saleh Al-Abbadi


Afsheen Tanveer Ehsan (1000021616 Ontario)


Leonid Pechersky (1381600 BC)


Work highlights


  • Advised a leading Indian film and TV post-production company, AB STUDIOS, in expanding their business to Canada, resulting in over C$1.5M in expected salaries for Canadian workers.
  • Represented Kaimirra Tutan in a business immigration case after the client acquired exclusive distributor rights of a Canadian gemstone mine in a deal worth $1.8m.