Battista Migration Law Group
5 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 425 handling Immigration Law.
About Battista Migration Law Group
Battista Migration Law Group is a Toronto immigration and refugee law firm with an office at 160 Bloor Street East. The firm describes itself as rooted in the 2SLGBTQI+ community and says it has over 30 years of experience in Canadian immigration law. That history traces to founding counsel Michael Battista, called to the Ontario Bar in 1992, who built a practice centred on immigration matters affecting 2SLGBTQI+ and HIV positive clients, including advocacy for same sex and queer family sponsorship in Canadian law. Battista became a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Refugee Law with the Law Society of Ontario, taught at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and was appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Canada on April 30, 2024.
The firm today is led by partners Pablo Irribarra, Joycna Kang, and Mathew Wilton, along with associate lawyer Daisy Sun. Its practice covers family and conjugal partner sponsorship, corporate and economic immigration, humanitarian and compassionate applications, inadmissibility matters, refugee and asylum claims, and Federal Court appeals. An Of Counsel lawyer licensed in both Ontario and New York also handles American immigration matters, and lawyers and staff offer services in French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi in addition to English.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm says it has over 30 years of experience in Canadian immigration law and has advocated for the inclusion of same sex and queer family sponsorship in Canadian immigration law.
- Founding counsel Michael Battista, called to the Ontario Bar in 1992, held certification as a Specialist in Immigration and Refugee Law with the Law Society of Ontario and was appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Canada on April 30, 2024, after 32 years practicing immigration and refugee law.
- Battista taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law and as an instructor in immigration policy at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, receiving the inaugural Teaching Innovation Award there in 2018.
- Battista co-authored two texts on Canadian immigration law, Canadian Family and Immigration Law: Intersections, Developments and Conflicts and Family Class Sponsorship in Canadian Immigration Law.
- The firm is a certified supplier of the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
In the community
- The firm has appeared before the House of Commons, Senate, and Parliamentary Standing Committees on immigration matters, and partner Joycna Kang has provided testimony before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
- Partner Joycna Kang is adjunct faculty at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law and coaches the school's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship mooting team.
- Partner Mathew Wilton is an adjunct instructor in immigration policy at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
- The firm works with the 519 Church Street Community Centre, the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, and Egale Canada Human Rights Trust.
- The firm's in-the-news page links to CBC News, CTV News, Global News, the Globe and Mail, and Law Times coverage of LGBTQ+ and refugee immigration issues.
Good to know
LGBTQ+ friendlyLawyers 5
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Law schools
- University of Toronto, Faculty of Law 1 of 5 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Hindi, Spanish
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is at 160 Bloor Street East in Toronto. The firm partners with the 519 Church Street Community Centre and the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in its 2SLGBTQI+ immigration work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Battista Migration Law Group help me sponsor my same sex or queer partner to come to Canada?
- Yes. The firm says it has advocated for the inclusion of same sex and queer family sponsorship in Canadian immigration law for more than three decades, and its practice includes family and conjugal partner sponsorship.
- My partner and I can't get married or live together yet. Can the firm still help us?
- The firm's FAQ page notes that conjugal partner status can still allow sponsorship in some cases even when a couple can't marry or cohabit.
- I was found inadmissible to Canada for a medical or criminal reason. Can the firm help?
- Yes. Inadmissibility matters, including medical, criminal, and misrepresentation issues, are part of the firm's practice, and a past case handled by the firm's founder established that HIV positive applicants can contest a medical inadmissibility finding.
- My refugee claim was refused. Does the firm handle appeals?
- Yes. The firm represents clients in appeals to the Federal Court and Refugee Appeal Division, as well as humanitarian and compassionate applications following a refused claim.
- Does Battista Migration Law Group handle immigration for a business bringing in workers?
- Yes. The firm's corporate immigration work includes Labour Market Impact Assessments, free trade agreement pathways, and helping companies set up a start up office in Canada. It's also a certified supplier of the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
- Does the firm also help with US immigration?
- Yes. An Of Counsel lawyer licensed in both Ontario and New York handles US visa matters, including E, L, O, and P visas, TN status under the USMCA, and IR1 and CR1 spousal visas.
Where to find them
160 Bloor St. East, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1B9 · 416-203-2899
Similar firms in City of Toronto
Amiri LLP (Amiris) is a virtual law firm serving the Greater Toronto Area and the Region of Waterloo. It's a full-service practice covering business, family, civil litigation, immigration, real estate, and wills and e…
Business & Corporate Law
Family Law
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Immigration Law
Abrams & Krochak is a Toronto immigration law firm that has helped clients immigrate to Canada since 1996. Partners Jeffrey Abrams and Peter Krochak handle eligibility assessments, Express Entry, sponsorship, and Fede…
Immigration Law
The LOOBS Legal is a Toronto firm established in 2024 that primarily focuses on immigration law, including study permits, temporary resident visas, and refugee claims and appeals. It also handles family law, criminal …
Immigration LawFamily Law
Criminal DefenceListing compiled from the firm’s public website in July 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗