1. The Importance of Choosing a Licensed Lawyer

In Canada, each province has a regulatory body known as a Law Society, which is responsible for regulating, supervising, and licensing lawyers.
Hiring an unlicensed or unauthorized lawyer can be risky: they may not hold a valid license, may have a disciplinary history, or may be unable to provide services in a language suitable for immigrants.

Therefore, before signing any contract with a lawyer, it is essential to verify their licensing status, active practice in the relevant province, and professional background.

2. Province of Ontario

Regulatory Body: Law Society of Ontario (LSO)

What you can do:

• Visit the Lawyer and Paralegal Directory on the Law Society of Ontario website.

• Search by the lawyer’s name, city, postal code, or practice area.

• Confirm that the lawyer’s status is listed as “Practising” or “Active” to ensure they are licensed.

• Check whether the lawyer specializes in immigration law or the specific area you need.

Note: Even if a lawyer speaks Persian or other languages, they must still hold a valid license from the LSO to legally practice in Ontario.

3. Province of British Columbia (BC)

Regulatory Body: Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC)

What you should do:

• Use the Lawyer Directory tool on the LSBC website.

• Search by name, city, province, or practice area.

• Verify the lawyer’s authorization and licensing status.

• If needed, you may also use Find-a-Lawyer or referral services such as Clicklaw.

Note: In British Columbia, immigration-related services may also be available through Indigenous or multilingual legal specialists.

4. Province of Québec

Regulatory Body: Barreau du Québec

To find a lawyer, you can visit the Barreau du Québec website (primarily in French, with some bilingual services available).

How to search:

• Use the Barreau website or a “Find a Lawyer” tool if available.

Important considerations for Québec:

• French is essential in Québec; if you require services in French, be sure to confirm this with the lawyer in advance.

• Some legal services for immigrants—especially French-speaking newcomers—may be offered with bilingual French/English support.

5. General Recommendations

• Always ask the lawyer to provide their license number or Law Society membership number.

• Before signing a contract, request a written scope of services, clearly stating what the lawyer will and will not provide.

• Ensure the contract clearly outlines legal services included and associated fees.

• Avoid cash payments without receipts or formal contracts.

• Be extremely cautious if a lawyer promises “guaranteed” immigration results—immigration outcomes are primarily determined by immigration officers, not lawyers.

• Check the lawyer’s disciplinary history; if they are listed as “disqualified” or “non-practising,” they may not be an appropriate choice.