Paul VanderVennen
2 lawyers · Established 1987 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 425 handling Immigration Law.
About Paul VanderVennen
Paul VanderVennen, LL.B. is a small immigration and refugee law practice based in downtown Toronto. Paul VanderVennen, the founding lawyer, graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1987, the year the firm was established. The practice narrowed over time, and by 1995 VanderVennen was working exclusively in immigration law. In 1997 the Law Society of Upper Canada certified VanderVennen as a Specialist in Immigration Law.
The firm's two lawyers handle refugee claims and hearings before the Refugee Protection Division, appeals to the Refugee Appeal Division, judicial review applications at the Federal Court, sponsorship files, Pre-Removal Risk Assessments, and Humanitarian and Compassionate applications. Associate lawyer Prevain Devendran, called to the Ontario Bar in 2010, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor and an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto, and practiced civil litigation before moving into refugee and immigration work. For nearly three decades, the majority of the firm's clients have been of Ethiopian heritage, a client base that VanderVennen has said began with a small group of referrals and grew from there.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founded in 1987, the year Paul VanderVennen was called to the Ontario Bar, after graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985.
- Narrowed to a practice focused exclusively on immigration law in 1995.
- VanderVennen was certified as a Specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1997.
- VanderVennen received the Bikila Professional Excellence Award, presented in September 2024, recognizing decades of service to Toronto's Ethiopian immigrant community.
- The firm's litigation record includes multiple reported Federal Court judicial review decisions dating back to 2003, including cases where the court found errors in refugee identity determinations, country-conditions evidence, and processing delays.
In the community
- VanderVennen is past Treasurer of the Inter-Church Committee for Human Rights in Latin America and has served as an international election monitor and as a member of a human rights fact-finding delegation to Central America.
- VanderVennen has volunteered as a lawyer at an immigration legal clinic serving low income clients.
- VanderVennen has conducted immigration seminars in Dubai, Malaysia, China, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
- For nearly three decades, most of the firm's clients have been of Ethiopian heritage, and VanderVennen received the Bikila Professional Excellence Award in September 2024 for that work.
- VanderVennen received an award from the South Asian Bible Church recognizing representation of Pakistani Christian refugee claimants in determination hearings.
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1987–2010 · median 27 years in practice 2 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School, University of Windsor 2 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is on St. Nicholas Street in downtown Toronto, a short walk from three subway stations: Wellesley, Bloor-Yonge, and Bay. For a practice built around refugee and immigration clients, many of whom arrive without a car, that kind of transit access matters more than it would for most firms. The firm's own site notes that street parking is limited to side streets, with a pay lot on Charles Street for anyone who does drive in.
The location sits in the busy stretch of downtown between Bloor Street and the Church-Wellesley area, a part of the city with a dense mix of highrise residential towers, offices, and retail rather than a single defining landmark. It's a practical, central base for a firm whose clients and casework reach well beyond the immediate neighbourhood, from Federal Court proceedings to seminars the firm has given as far afield as Dubai and Ethiopia.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Paul VanderVennen handle refugee claims in Canada?
- Yes. The firm represents claimants before the Refugee Protection Division, handles appeals to the Refugee Appeal Division, and takes judicial review applications to the Federal Court.
- My refugee claim was denied. Can the firm still help?
- The firm's litigation history includes multiple Federal Court judicial review decisions overturning or sending back refugee determinations, so an appeal or judicial review may still be an option depending on the timeline and grounds.
- Does the firm handle immigration sponsorship applications?
- Yes, sponsorship applications and sponsorship appeals are part of the firm's practice, alongside immigrant visa applications.
- What if I'm facing removal from Canada?
- The firm handles Pre-Removal Risk Assessments and Humanitarian and Compassionate applications, which can be relevant for people facing removal.
- Does the firm work with a particular immigrant community?
- For nearly three decades, most of the firm's clients have been of Ethiopian heritage, though the practice is not limited to one community; VanderVennen has also represented Pakistani Christian refugee claimants and has given immigration seminars in several countries.
- Where is the office and how do I get there?
- The office is at 45 St. Nicholas Street in downtown Toronto, close to Wellesley, Bloor-Yonge, and Bay subway stations. Street parking is limited, with a pay lot on Charles Street.
Where to find them
45 St. Nicholas Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1W6 · 416-963-8405
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Legal AidListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗