refusal to the Federal Court if they can afford it. Would you say that you have a particular creed or philosophy that influences the way you work? Perfectionism is what I believe in. I insist on perfection and accept nothing shy immigration lawyers in Canada will be both endless and demanding. Skilled practitioners know that immigration law is more than filling out forms. In fact, good service requires imagination, attention to detail and ‘soft skills’ that can help clients as they navigate the immigration process and begin to call Canada home. Immigration practitioners are integral to the support that new economic immigrants need. Business and enterprise immigrants to Canada understand the significance of the opportunity to establish roots here, and this is where soft skills can combine with strong practice skills and knowledge to make a big difference for clients and their businesses. What, then, is the extra dimension that good immigration lawyers can bring to the table to help them stand out in an area of specialty where there is both lots of demand and lots of competition? Here are a few ideas: Go beyond A good immigration lawyer will be thorough and meticulous, of course; meeting deadlines, preparing and filing applications and documents and following through to ensure that applicants are successful. A great lawyer does more, however. Immigration law is different from almost every other area of practice. Prospective clients seek a specific outcome: they want to immigrate to Canada — but they do not necessarily know how to navigate the system to get there. This is where a great immigration lawyer can go above and beyond. Find out what motivates your client to want to set up in Canada. Is it sheer economic opportunity, hardship or duress in the home country, friendship with others from the old country who have already come to Canada, or a combination of these? The more you understand your client, the better you can apply your expertise to find the most effective legal pathway. A great immigration lawyer knows not only what clients need in terms of paperwork, but where their dreams are heading. of flawlessness. perfectionism is the persistence of will in obtaining the optimal quality of spiritual, mental, physical and material being. I am a huge perfectionist and always have been, so I have high expectations. To me, being a risk taker means trying new things and learning from my mistakes. I learned from my mistakes in Iran and Dubai, and even in Canada. The purpose of my life is to become a perfect human being before I die. I live in such a way that I understand tomorrow could be the last day of my life. My work must be done must be done now, because tomorrow might be late. How does your pro bono work complement this? As perfectionism is the persistence of will in obtaining the optimal quality of spiritual, mental, physical and material being, I believe pro bono work helps me to polish my spiritual and mental wellness. The need to be a responsible human being always pushes me to contribute more and provide pro bono work to those who are in need. I have a foundation organisation called the YLG Foundation and I donate around $50,000 annually to fight against poverty and illiteracy. “Human beings are members of a whole In the creation of one essence and soul If one member is afflicted with pain Other members uneasy will remain” - Persian poet Saadi Shirazi Volunteering legal expertise pro bono not only helps society, but it also makes me better at my jobs. Is there a particular piece of advice that you would give to a less experienced immigration lawyer looking to emulate your success? The opportunities for talented MY LEGAL LIFE 29 Adaptability is one the main factors for successful immigration.
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