Alain Joffe

About Alain

Alain Joffe has practised immigration law in Canada since being called to the Barreau du Québec in 1984. He holds a law degree from the Université de Montréal (1981) and a master's degree in international law from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom (1983). His practice covers study and work permits, spousal, child and parent/grandparent sponsorships, and humanitarian and compassionate permanent residence applications, along with appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division and Federal Court following a refused sponsorship or loss of residency. He also represents clients in refugee and protection matters before the Refugee Protection Division and Refugee Appeal Division, including cases involving loss or cancellation of refugee status. Joffe has served on the executive of the Canadian Bar Association's Quebec immigration section and of the Association québécoise des avocats et avocates en droit de l'immigration (AQAADI), and spent six years on the Immigration and Refugee Board's practices and procedures advisory committee as AQAADI's representative, taking part in biannual policy meetings with IRB leadership in Ottawa. He is a frequent speaker at AQAADI and ACAADR conferences and for organizations such as IMEDA and CITIM on immigration law and practice before the IRB's specialized tribunals. Earlier in his career, from 1993 to 1995, he served as legal counsel to the Rwandan League of Human Rights and directed the International Centre for Investigation and Expertise on the Rwandan genocide, preparing human rights investigation reports and legal opinions on potential prosecutions under the Canadian Criminal Code.

Practice areas

Immigration Law

Education & credentials

Law school

Université de Montréal

Other degrees

Master's in International Law, University of Cambridge (1983)