Name of Organization: Battista Migration Law Group
Website of Organization: www.migrationlawgroup.com
Organization's Mandate: The Toronto immigration lawyers that make up Battista believe that migration is a fundamental part of human freedom and that migration barriers should exist only when they are necessary. They understand that diverse communities are the groups most often concerned about international mobility, and provide practical, experienced legal advice that will assist in making informed decisions to support their clients’ immigration goals.
Project Name: LGBTQ+ Immigration and Refugee Project
Project Type: Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only) & Client services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: The immigration landscape in Canada has become increasingly complex and urgent. Most often, diverse communities are the groups that are the most concerned about international mobility. In particular, Battista Migration Law Group champions immigration issues for the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities.
This project involves assisting Battista with their pro bono and/or legal aid-funded cases pertaining to LGBTQ+ refugee claims and court applications. The project involved largely legal research and client intake.
In addition to casework, this project involves producing blog posts for the Battista Migration Law Group website. These posts will cover a range of issues but will mostly pertain to plain-language information on recent changes to immigration and refugee law.
Role of Student Volunteers: Students will conduct legal research and create blog content. Additionally, students will assist with the preparation of refugee applications (including forms). Students will research human rights reports from particular countries around the world and analyze a case’s relevant documentation to create their “theory of a case”. The student’s research and analysis will be submitted to the lawyer supervisor for review, effectively and prominently contributing to the progression of these LGBTQ+ refugee claim cases. Students may also assist with drafting documents for Federal Court applications.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): The Supervising Lawyer will oversee the work produced by students (including blog post and applications) and will discuss the human rights reports that the students will be researching
Type of Law: Immigration and Refugee Law.
Main Project Deliverable: Creating produced content (e.g. research memos, brochures, podcasts, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 2 students
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: Work can be completed remotely, so scheduled shifts are not necessary.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization:
Yes, but the students must arrange with the supervising lawyer beforehand to work in person.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, internet, access to legal databases, Microsoft Word.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No
Law School Pre-Requisites: N/A
Other Requirements or Expectations: An interest in immigration and refugee law is preferred. Applicants should be queer positive, given the subject matter of the work.