The Origins
Our Team
Heron Law Offices was founded in February 2021 by Will Tao and Edris Arib. The dream was simple – do law differently, and build a law firm that would bring a different, research-based, community-centered approach to practice.
Will and Edris spent nearly three years working together at Edelmann and Co. Law Offices, a leading and award-winning progressive Canadian immigration and refugee law firm in Vancouver, B.C. Their collaboration led to Will winning the Canadian Bar Association’s Founder’s Award in 2020 and Vancouver Immigration Blog being named Best Law Blog in Canada in 2019.
Heron was also a short-listed finalist for the Canadian Law Awards 2022 Best Pro Bono Project award for the Indigenous Name Reclamation project and the Clio Reisman Award for Best New Law Firm.
Before Heron
Prior to starting Heron, Will spent four years as a lawyer with Larlee Rosenberg, Barristers and Solicitors, a Top 10 Canadian Immigration Boutique Law Firm. Prior to Larlee, Will was a lawyer with Edelmann and Co. for three years.
Humble Origins
On a fateful (cold, but sunny) December day, Will and Edris met at a quaint coffee shop on Commercial Drive. Edris told Will, who was at the time already expecting his first daughter and made a major move to Burnaby, B.C., that it was now or never to build their own, encumbered, story – their own Law Firm.
Our Current Team
The Firm has engaged many top lawyers and students over the years. We are currently working alongside Laura Schemitsch and Hamidreza Siavashpour.
Our Firm is constantly looking for new talent and we welcome lawyers to grow their careers and find their passion with us.
Meeting Angela
Early in our practice, we met Angela Lee Harris, a lawyer who is passionate about social justice and assisting people on their journeys to building a better future. Angela articled at a small full-service law firm in downtown Vancouver, BC, where she developed a keen interest in immigration and refugee law. She is also eager to explore the intersections between Canadian immigration law and Indigenous law and communities.
Adding Candy
Shortly after, a former star student from Will’s teaching days at University of British Columbia (UBC), Candy Hui, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), joined the team as a case manager. Candy brings a high-energy, research-intensive approach in working on our immigration matters and with our clients. As a Pharmacist by training, she is always looking for the right solution for our clients.
Our Team, Together
Together, as a team, we want to build a firm around the core principles of compassion, empathy, and justice. We believe that our lived experiences and evidence and research-based knowledge can help guide you in your times of greatest need.
Read about our vision in our open letter below:
Canadian Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship law firm based in the Greater Vancouver area serving clients in Canada and around the World.
Our core areas of specialization:
1. International Students
2. Judicial Reviews
3. Family and Spousal Sponsorships
4. Immigration Appeals
We chose to launch our headquarters in Burnaby, B.C. (with mobility throughout the Greater Vancouver region) because we believe this city represents our ideal future Canada in terms of diversity, resilience, and often hidden beauty. We look forward to welcoming you at our offices.
As set out in our value propositions, we believe there is a way to lawyer differently. We aim to provide process-oriented, cost effective services that are aided (not hindered) by technology and project management. We want to lawyer compassionately and confidently and continue the excellent work we have done to inspire future immigration lawyers and law students.
We want to be Lawyers for Migrant Communities and do this for our next generation. We thank you for being part of our story.
Going Beyond the Law
At Heron Law, we go beyond the limitations that the law often provides. Our clients’ experiences are transformed into advocacy and action. We take lessons learned and apply them to our community work, our strategic litigation, and our participation on policy panels. We advocate for larger systemic changes to benefit our clients and the system as a whole.
Our Visions for Expansion
We hope for Heron Law Offices to provide other legal services beyond immigration law and are actively looking to partner with human rights, family, criminal, small business, non-profit, employment, and social services-related lawyers to transform our Firm into a more comprehensive source for migrant communities.
We invite lawyers, law students, immigration professionals, and support staff interested in our work and our direction to email us at info@heronlaw.ca
Will Tao
Co-founder/Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer
Will Tao (he/him)
Will Tao (pronouns: he/him), with over a decade of experience in Canadian immigration, is a Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer and the founder of Heron Law Offices.
Will provides legal services in all areas of Canadian immigration and refugee law with a focus on complex applications, overcoming refusals, inadmissibility matters, appeals, and judicial reviews. Will regularly appears before the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada. His focus is on international students, families, and temporary foreign workers.
Will also provides strategic advice and consultation to government, media, educational institutions, and businesses on immigration/refugee, decolonization, and race equity related issues. He is the founder and creator of the award-winning Vancouver Immigration Blog, where he hopes to make immigration and refugee law more accessible to the general public. He also has significant past teaching experience as an instructor for University of British Columbia’s Certificate in Immigration Laws, Policies, and Procedures (CILPP) program.
Will is a key opinion leader in Canadian immigration. He has been frequently invited to speak at various conferences and comment in the news. In Dec 2024, Will appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and made representations on the reforms to the International Student Program.
Awards and Recognitions
Will was awarded the Canadian Bar Association’s 2020 Founder’s Award for accomplishments in his first five years of practice, and has won four Clawbies Awards, including having the Best Immigration Law Blog in 2019. He is listed as a Best Lawyer™ in the practice area of Immigration since 2019.
Representative Cases
- S v. Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2020 FC 718 (CanLII)
- Canadian Council for Refugees v. Canada (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship), 2019 FC 418 (CanLII)
- Z v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2018 FC 502 (CanLII)
- Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) v. M, 2018 FC 729 (CanLII)
- C v Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2018 CanLII 89016 (CA IRB)
- W v Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2016 CanLII 90976 (CA IRB)
Community Involvement
Will currently sits as a Board member of the Roundtable Society. He is current Co-Chair and a founding member of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Immigration Section Anti-Racism Committee. He is also an Honourary Member of the Immigration Advocacy Committee of the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE).
He previously chaired the Cultural Communities Advisory Committee of the City of Vancouver and was on the Board of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, British Columbia (“FACLBC”)
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer
Laura Schemitsch (she/her)
Laura Schemitsch has been practicing Canadian immigration and refugee law since 2019 with a wide scope of matters and complexity. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa in 2019 with specializations in Public Law and Law and Social Justice. Prior to studying law, she earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honours from McMaster University majoring in History, and a Master of Arts from Queen’s University in Art History.
Laura’s academic work has been published in peer reviewed journals and prominent media outlets. In November 2022, Laura was invited to speak before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in Canada’s House of Commons.
Laura found her passion for immigration and refugee law in 2017 when she joined Capital Rainbow Refuge, a private sponsorship group that brings LGBTQIA2S+ asylum seekers to Ottawa. Laura completed her articling placement at Gerami Law PC, a boutique immigration and refugee law firm in Ottawa between August 2019 and June 2020 and was hired back as an immigration and refugee lawyer. Laura moved to British Columbia in June 2020 with her family and transferred her law license to BC. She worked in the Sea to Sky region until starting at Heron Law Offices in June 2023.
Laura has successfully represented clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and has assisted clients overcome complex immigration issues including application refusals, humanitarian and compassionate requests, inadmissibility issues, procedural fairness letter responses and judicial reviews. Laura helps employers, entrepreneurs, permanent resident applicants, temporary foreign workers, international students, and visitors on their unique Canadian immigration journeys.
When Laura is not working she enjoys exploring the outdoors, dancing, crafting and her volunteer work.
Publications
- Laura Schemitsch, “No more excuses for our immigration backlog” (2 February 2022) #1 Top Read Article in CBA National Magazine 2022.
- Arghavan Gerami and Laura Schemitsch, “Canada’s immigration removal machine” (13 Jan 2021), CBA National Magazine.
- Laura Schemitsch, “So, About Those Anti-Immigration Claims Being Made This Election” (7 Oct 2019), Huffington Post.
- Laura Schemitsch, “Setting a Deportation Target Puts Canadian Values on the Line” (7 Nov 2018), Huffington Post.
Community Involvement
Laura currently sits as a Board Member for Sea to Sky Community Services. She is an active member of the Editorial Committee and op-ed contributor for the Canadian Immigration Lawyer’s Association’s (CILA) (https://cila.co/news/) and member of the Advocacy Committee for the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL). Laura previously sat as a Board Member for Capital Rainbow Refuge and continues to assist the organization with Legal Support and Supervision.
Harmit Sarai
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer
Dr. Hamidreza Siavashpour* (he/him)
Hamidreza Siavashpour (he/him) is a Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer and a proud member of both the Law Society of British Columbia and the Iran Central Bar Association. He began practicing law in Iran in 2012 while pursuing a PhD in Public International Law at the University of Tehran.
After immigrating to Canada, Hamidreza earned a master’s degree in Common Law from the University of British Columbia, completed his articles at Everyone Legal Clinic, and was called to the bar in British Columbia.
As a first-generation immigrant who has personally navigated the complexities of the immigration system, Hamidreza offers a unique perspective and deep empathy for his clients. Fluent in both English and Farsi, he assists a diverse range of clients and helps them navigate the Canadian immigration system. His practice primarily focuses on Canadian immigration law, with substantial experience in business, commercial, real estate, and tenancy law. He is dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome legal challenges and achieve their immigration goals.
Outside of his legal practice, Hamidreza enjoys cycling through the stunning landscapes of British Columbia with his wife and creating videos for his YouTube channel, Lawyer Explains.
Hamidreza is proud to be part of Heron Law Offices, where he assists clients from around the world with their Canadian immigration journey, offering dedicated legal support for those facing challenges along the way.
*denotes practicing as a Law Corporation
حمیدرضا سیاوش پور وکیل حقوق مهاجرت و پناهندگی و عضو کانون وکلای دادگستری استان بریتیش کلمبیا در کشور کانادا و کانون وکلای مرکز (استان تهران) در کشور ایران است. او فعالیت حرفه ای خود در زمینه حقوق را از سال ۲۰۱۲ میلادی (۱۳۹۱ شمسی) و همزمان با تحصیل در مقطع دکتری تخصصی حقوق بین الملل در دانشگاه تهران آغاز نمود
پس از مهاجرت به کانادا، دکتر سیاوش پور موفق به اخذ مدرک فوق لیسانس حقوق کامن لا از دانشگاه بریتیش کلمبیا گردید، کارآموزی حقوقی خود را به اتمام رساند، و مدرک وکالت خود را از کانون وکلای دادگستری استان بریتیش کلمبیا دریافت نمود
به عنوان اولین نسل مهاجر در خانواده خود و کسی که شخصا پیچیدگی های حقوق مهاجرت کانادا را تجربه نموده است، دکتر سیاوشپور نسبت به شرایط موکل های خود شناخت و درک بخصوصی دارد
با تسلط به هر دو زبان فارسی و انگلیسی، دکتر سیاوش پور به دایره وسیع و متنوعی از افراد در زمینه حقوق مهاجرت و پناهندگی کانادا کمک می کند. فعالیت حقوقی وی به عنوان وکیل دادگستری در کانادا متمرکز بر حقوق مهاجرت و پناهندگی بوده و او در زمینه های دیگری همچون حقوق تجاری، شرکت ها، اموال غیرمنقول و روابط اجاری مسکونی و تجاری دارای تجربه گسترده ای است. دکتر سیاوش پور خود را متعهد به کمک به افراد و خانواده ها برای دستیابی به اهداف مهاجرتی خود و غلبه بر مشکلات حقوقی پیش رو میداند
خارج از فعالیت های حرفه ای خود، حمیدرضا از دوچرخه سواری در طبیعت زیبای استان بریتش کلمبیا در کنار همسر خود و همچنین ساخت ویدیو برای کانال یوتیوب خود(Lawyer Explains ) لذت میبرد
حمیدرضا مفتخر است که به عنوان عضوی از مجموعه حقوقی هرون به موکل های این دفتر وکالت معتبر و با سابقه از سراسر دنیا خدمات رسانی میکند، تا با کمک خدمات حقوقی او بتوانند در مسیر مهاجرتی خود پیروز و موفق باشند
*به عنوان یک شرکت حقوقی نشان می دهد
Candy is a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
Professional Affiliations
Articling Student
Karina Juma (she/her)
Karina Juma (she/her) completed her Master of Arts in International Affairs at Carleton University, specializing in Health, Displacement, and Humanitarian Policy, and simultaneously earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa in June 2024, with Magna Cum Laude distinction. She maintained a high level of academic excellence throughout her law studies. Prior to law school, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa in 2020.
During law school, Karina worked as a research assistant at The Refugee Hub (now Pathways International) for four years and summered twice at an immigration and refugee law firm in Ottawa. She was also actively involved in the student chapter of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL), serving as co-president for two years. Karina did three coop terms as a junior ATIP officer at the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada.
Karina’s passion for immigration and refugee law stems from her family background. As the proud child and grandchild of immigrants, she strives to pay it forward by helping newcomers navigate the complexities of the Canadian immigration system. She also draws inspiration from her religious community, the Ismaili Muslims, whose contributions to Canadian society are driven by compassion and service.
In her free time, Karina enjoys Bollywood dance, listening to pop culture podcasts, and baking. She speaks English, French, and Gujarati, and has a basic understanding of Hindi.
Publications
Published by the University of Ottawa Press in 2022, Karina co-authored a book on refugee resettlement and activism titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions. Her work has also been published in the Canadian Yearbook of Human Rights.
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
Case Manager/RCIC - Contractor
Candy Ngo Fai Hui (she/her)
Candy Ngo Fai Hui is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant who lives and works on the Treaty four land which are the territories of the nêhiyawak (nay-hi-yuh-wuk), Anihšināpēk (uh-nish-i-naa-payk), Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation.
Candy received her immigration education from the University of British Columbia’s Certificate in Immigration Laws, Policies, and Procedures (CILPP) program.
Candy is an immigration professional but also a healthcare professional located in Regina, Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSP) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Candy is eager to explore the world of immigration with the aid of her healthcare skills such as critically appraising resources, finding and communicating recommendations and actively listen, address and educate clients on multiple topics and concerns.
Candy is an active member of the Chinese community in Regina, Saskatchewan. She is proud member of the Regina Chinese Musical Association. She is a volunteer with the Regina Chinese Benevolent Association performing duties such as being the master of ceremony for Chinese New Years Celebrations.
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS). Candy provides case management services as an independent contractor.
Awards and Achievements
- The Honourable Justice Grant Burnyeat Award in Law, University of British Columbia (2016)
- University of Victoria Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s List (2016)
- University of Victoria Excellence Scholarship (2011-2015)
Case Manager
Dana Kyle (she/her)
Dana is an experienced immigration professional who lives and works on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations. Originally from Calgary, AB, Dana joined Heron Law in September 2023 as a Case Manager. As an experienced Case Manager with a previous background working in a high-volume immigration firm, Dana brings proven experience supporting a diverse range of clientele through the Canadian immigration system.
Dana holds a Certificate in Immigration Law, Policy, and Procedures from the University of British Columbia and earned a Master of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University in 2019. Her Master’s thesis involved a comprehensive analysis of emerging Canadian criminal justice and public health policy. Dana has extensive experience applying and interpreting Canadian legislation including the Criminal Code of Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Dana is an immigration professional and a cancer survivor. She is a proud volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, volunteering with children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Outside of work, Dana enjoys board games, reading any novel she can get her hands on, and exploring hiking trails with her dog and family.
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
*Candy provides case management services as an independent contractor through her consulting company, CJ Immigrations Ltd.
Case Manager
Tobie Lin (she/her)
Tobie joined Heron in October 2022 as a Case Manager. She brings with her 10 years of work experience in Canadian Immigration, with a solid understanding of immigration application and litigation processes.
Tobie has previously supported senior legal counsels and senior founding partners in her previous positions. To stay competitive in this field and continue to master her knowledge, she completed her Immigration Consultant Diploma in 2016. She also has recent experience assisting on complex civil litigation matters.
Tobie assists Will as his primary case manager, resuming a partnership that begin when Tobie served as Will’s primary legal assistant at Larlee Rosenberg.
Tobie is trilingual (English, Mandarin and Cantonese) and is able to assist in communication, appeal hearing preparation, and other immigration-related litigation in all three languages.
Outside of work, Tobie enjoy spending time with her young son and family.
Awards and Achievements
- The Honourable Justice Grant Burnyeat Award in Law, University of British Columbia (2016)
- University of Victoria Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s List (2016)
- University of Victoria Excellence Scholarship (2011-2015)
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
*Candy provides case management services as an independent contractor through her consulting company, CJ Immigrations Ltd.
Co-founder/Consultant
Edris Arib
At – On Leave – Completing PhD (he/him)
Edris Arib is a Director of Operations/Case Manager at Heron Law Offices.
Edris Arib is a law and public policy professional with experience in international and civil society organisations. He worked as Legal Counselor for Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and as Policy and Advocacy Consultant for Transparency International.
He holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany.
Outside the Law Firm, Edris is immersed in his PhD on Grand Corruption and explores BC Parks and Restaurants with his family.
Awards and Achievements
- The Honourable Justice Grant Burnyeat Award in Law, University of British Columbia (2016)
- University of Victoria Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s List (2016)
- University of Victoria Excellence Scholarship (2011-2015)
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
*Candy provides case management services as an independent contractor through her consulting company, CJ Immigrations Ltd.
Co-founder/Consultant
Edris Arib
At – On Leave – Completing PhD (he/him)
Edris Arib is a Director of Operations/Case Manager at Heron Law Offices.
Edris Arib is a law and public policy professional with experience in international and civil society organisations. He worked as Legal Counselor for Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and as Policy and Advocacy Consultant for Transparency International.
He holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany.
Outside the Law Firm, Edris is immersed in his PhD on Grand Corruption and explores BC Parks and Restaurants with his family.
Professional Affiliations
Candy is a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) and Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS).
