Hi everyone, my name is Hamidreza, and I’m thrilled to have recently joined Heron Law Offices as an Immigration and Refugee lawyer.
My journey began in Iran, where I initially set out to study construction engineering. However, life had other plans. Despite receiving an acceptance letter from a prestigious medical school, I chose the third path—one that led me to law school. Fast forward 12 years, and I was standing at the University of Tehran, defending my PhD thesis in public international law, with several years of legal practice behind me. But then, life took another turn. My wife and I decided to embark on a new adventure—immigrating to Canada. And if moving halfway across the world wasn’t challenging enough, we did it right in the middle of the pandemic! The lockdown was a perfect opportunity for me to open my books again, this time focusing on the Canadian common law.
I began a Master’s degree at UBC, which also paved the way for me to obtain my license to practice law in Canada. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of the inaugural cohort of the Everyone Legal Clinic, where I completed my articling. During this time, I had the opportunity to provide pro bono, low bono, and unbundled legal services, assisting individuals who needed legal help but couldn’t afford it.
After being called to the Bar in British Columbia, I explored various fields of law, but I always knew that immigration law was my true calling. As a first-generation immigrant, I understand firsthand the challenges of starting over in a new country. I’ve lived through the complexities of the immigration process and know what it’s like to rebuild a career in a second language, often within a system that can feel overwhelming.
I’ve experienced what many of my clients are going through—trying to prove themselves to immigration officers, employers, and even the community while navigating a new culture, often without the support network they had back home. I understand the frustration of submitting applications with uncertainty, hoping they’ll be reviewed fairly—if they are reviewed at all! I also know how disheartening it can be when your non-Canadian qualifications and experience are questioned, and your prior accomplishments don’t seem to carry the weight they once did.
Today, I am proud to be part of the incredible team at Heron Law Offices, where we are dedicated to helping people from all over the world realize their dream of immigrating to Canada. Our mission is not only to guide clients through their immigration journeys but also to empower them to challenge unjust decisions. More importantly, we try our best to make the immigration process fairer and more accessible for everyone.
I look forward to working with you and being part of your journey!
