CARL Fall 2024 National Conference: Learning Alongside Canada’s Refugee Lawyers

I was thrilled to participate in the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) Fall 2024 National Conference, held on November 1, 2024, at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. 🍁

Learning From the Best in the Bar

It was genuinely inspiring to connect in person with fellow refugee lawyers from across the country and to learn from experienced practitioners in a single concentrated day of substantive discussion.

As a newly called lawyer who came into this profession with a deep commitment to refugee law, I found these sessions particularly enlightening:

• Stay of Removal Motions — strategy, timing, and evidentiary thresholds at the Federal Court;
• Danger Opinions — how to respond, how to prepare a client, and the evolving jurisprudence;
• RPD Hearing Conduct — best practices for preparing vulnerable clients, cross-cultural considerations, and advocacy style.

What Stood Out Most

Beyond the sessions, what stood out most was the sense of community among lawyers dedicated to serving refugee claimants. The discussions were rich with practical insights. Questions about difficult files were answered generously. Mentorship offers appeared organically. It is a bar that punches far above its weight — and it takes care of its own.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from colleagues across the country, and I am looking forward to putting these learnings into practice.

Special thanks to CARL for organizing such an informative and engaging conference — and for keeping the conference fee remarkably modest so that newer lawyers could actually attend. That matters. 👍

Adapted from a post originally published on LinkedIn. Read the original post on LinkedIn →