EY Law LLP’s extensive national platform, which includes offices in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, is complemented by the wider brand’s integrated global network, which provides wide-ranging support on resource-heavy, multi-jurisdictional files. The group focuses on both Canadian and US law, with specialist expertise in coordinating work permits and permanent resident applications, managing business traveler programs and advising on the immigration aspects of corporate transactions. George Reis manages the national immigration practice from Toronto, while Vancouver-based international specialist Jonathan Leebosh spearheads the Canadian and cross-border NAFTA immigration practice. Also recommended Calgary-based Roxanne Israel.
Business immigration in Canada
Green and Spiegel LLP
Canada’s oldest specialist immigration firm, Green and Spiegel LLP has established an edge over other independent practices. The Toronto-based team brings to bear a broad industry focus, covering construction, energy, finance and technology, where it acts for both private and public sector clients. The 19-lawyer team includes three US-qualified immigration specialists, which makes it a popular choice for cross-border matters. Senior partner Evan Green manages the US practice, links up with the firm’s three US offices in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Colorado, while Stephen Green leads the investment and entrepreneur department. Other key names include founding partner Mendel Green QC, widely recognized as a dean of the immigration bar, and talented associate Aris Daghighian, who focuses on appeals and contentious matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘As a multinational company, we have worked with most North American and global immigration law firms and I am extremely impressed with the Green and Spiegel teams. They are my preferred provider for both Canadian and US immigration requirements.’
‘We have worked with Green and Spiegel for over 10 years and its service has been exceptional. The firm has been supportive with the ever-increasing pressure and workload, and the information that we receive is current and in keeping with the industry trends.’
‘The individuals in the law firm have demonstrated exceptional work ethics and interpersonal skills. Their case management and industry knowledge is how we have achieved a high success rate for our cases.’
‘The hands-on approach to client service delivery is exceptional. Its lawyers’ proactive and collaborative approach to addressing upcoming or potential legislative changes has impressed me and my chief human resources officer. ’
Corporate Immigration Law Firm
Corporate Immigration Law Firm continues to go from strength-to-strength, following the 2018 arrival of Joel Guberman, who was co-founder of his former firm. The Toronto-based boutique also benefits from the senior expertise of high-profile immigration specialist Barbara Jo Caruso, who is widely considered among the pre-eminent names in the market. The firm enjoys an affiliation with Montreal-based Galileo Partners Lawyers, which is managed by experienced expert Jean-Philippe Brunet.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Garson LLP
Garson LLP covers both Eastern and Western Canada through its Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver bases, while its alliance with Deloitte Conduit Law LLP adds to its ability to handle complex multi-jurisdictional cases. Managing partner David Garson has a strong reputation in the market and routinely acts for clients ranging from individuals to large multinational corporations. The team is particularly experienced in the technology sector.
Practice head(s):
Gomberg Dalfen S.E.N.C.
A leader in Quebec, Gomberg Dalfen S.E.N.C. handles the full suite of immigration matters, for both corporate and individual clients, from its headquarters in Montreal. Seth Dalfen and Avrom Gomberg jointly lead the practice; among their areas of expertise, both have strong experience in temporary employment authorizations and permanent residence applications.
Practice head(s):
KPMG Law in Canada
KPMG Canada plugs into the wider network’s comprehensive global offering, providing broad coverage of worldwide mobility issues. Howard Greenberg, who leads the national practice, is widely recognized for his strong record in inbound matters. The firm also houses a solid US practice, which focuses on processing work visas for high-volume clients.
Practice head(s):
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright fields a compact but capable immigration team, split between its offices in Montreal and Quebec City. The practice works alongside the firm’s market-leading national labour and employment practice and is further complemented by the wider global network, which supplies a steady flow of immigration and professional mobility mandates. In 2019, Montreal-based group head Chantal Arsenault was promoted from counsel to partner.
Practice head(s):
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
With expertise in case analysis, visa services and every business immigration point in between, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has established itself as a key adviser to multinational companies on international mobility issues. Among its recent engagements, it has been particularly active on behalf of clients in the entertainment, construction and technology industries. Brian Dingle, who steers the group from Toronto, enjoys strong relationships with major US film and TV studios.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Credit Suisse
Netflix
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP has experience advising Japan-based clients, an area of long-standing expertise that predates the global brand’s merger with legacy firm Davis LLP. The practice also has a growing US and European dimension, due largely to increasing integration with the wider DLA Piper network. Vancouver-based department head Brian Tsuji routinely advises on work permits, business visitor permits, temporary resident visas and Canadian permanent resident status applications.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The immigration practice of DLA Piper (Canada) has a depth of experience within the natural resources industries, technology, closely held corporations, high-net-worth individuals, and, internationally, with Japanese clients.’
‘Brian Tsuji is extremely knowledgeable about business immigration in Canada. He knows the rules and the exceptions to the rules that facilitate clients’ ability to hire foreign talent. He is one of the most accessible and responsive Canadian lawyers I know.’
Fasken
Fasken’s immigration group sits within its market-leading labour and employment practice and routinely assists organizations with obtaining temporary work permits for executives, professionals and specialized employees. The sizeable team has partners in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and is also supported internationally by senior staff in Johannesburg. Gilda Villaran and Ralph Nero jointly lead the department from Montreal and Toronto respectively.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Knowledgeable, responsive and able to meet our global immigration needs so that our company can stay competitive.’
‘Lawyers are very responsive, which is extremely important when you are dealing with time-sensitive immigration matters.’
McCarthy Tétrault
Full-service heavyweight McCarthy Tétrault routinely advises individuals and corporations on contentious and non-contentious immigration matters, with notable expertise in transactional support work. The group is well versed in immigration issues specific to most of Canada’s key industry sectors, including natural resources, energy, financial services, technology and agriculture. The practice is headed by Montreal-based Stéphane Duval, who served as immigration officer for the Government of Canada prior to transitioning to law.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The immigration group at McCarthy Tetrault is reliable, fast and friendly.’
PwC Law LLP
The Canadian arm of global giant PwC Law LLP is composed of well-staffed offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. A full-service immigration law practice, which handles Canadian, US and global mobility issues, the team consistently advises multinational companies, small businesses and professionals on global visas, internal immigration policies and compliance matters. Toronto-based national head Janet Bomza is sought after for Canadian, NAFTA-related and global immigration advice.
Practice head(s):
Maynard Kischer Stojicevic
Vancouver boutique Maynard Kischer Stojicevic handles an array of immigration and citizenship issues, with corporate immigration standing as a pillar of the practice. Key figures include managing partner Aleksandar Stojicevic, who acts for major corporations, nonprofit organizations and several large education institutions, and Gordon Maynard, who is widely considered a go-to litigator for inadmissibility cases.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Sherritt Greene
Calgary-based Sherritt Greene is best known for its specialist advice on oil and gas-related immigration matters. The technology and education sectors are also significant sources of work. Senior partner Michael Greene QC advises corporate clients and individuals on permanent and temporary residence applications.
Practice head(s):