LAWYER

I’m a Vancouver-based immigration and refugee lawyer with over a decade of experience across both sides of the system. Before co-founding Haven Law, I spent years as a decision-maker at Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, where I heard and decided hundreds of cases both at the Refugee Protection Division and the Refugee Appeal Division of the Board. I am the author of Canadian Refugee Procedure, a leading 1400-page text on immigration law. I also serve on the roster of Adjunct Professors for the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law offered by the Faculty of Law at Queen's University. I now bring this depth of experience to my clients—anticipating issues, sharpening arguments, and navigating complex processes with clarity.

EDUCATION

- Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honours, Carleton University in Ottawa
- Juris Doctor, University of Victoria
- Master of Arts in International Law and Human Rights, United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica

LAWYER

I still remember the day I took my citizenship oath. It was Canada Day and the ceremony took place at Government House in Victoria, BC. I remember singing O Canada in English, then in French, feeling self-conscious about not pronouncing the words correctly. They served cake on beautiful china with silver forks that day. I know what that day meant to my 19-year-old self. It's a privilege to help my clients experience that day for themselves.

Before starting Haven Law, I worked as Legal Counsel at the Vancouver office of the Department of Justice, where I regularly represented Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ("IRCC") and Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA") in judicial review matters before the Federal Court.

Most of my career, however, has been in private practice of immigration and refugee law in Victoria, BC. I have obtained successful outcomes for my clients in hundreds of Canadian immigration, and citizenship applications, including permanent residence applications in various categories, temporary residence applications, grant of citizenship, proof of citizenship, criminal rehabilitation, and in many other categories of immigration applications.

Now based in Vancouver, BC, I started Haven Law to provide high quality legal services to my clients without making compromises. Currently, my practice interests are in judicial review matters before the Federal Court, and litigating before the Immigration and Refugee Board tribunals.

I have a law degree from the University of Victoria, and a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University. I was called to the British Columbia bar in 2019.

If you want to know anything else about me, please ask!

*Sarah previously practised as Sarah Reid, before reverting to using her family name at birth.

† Law corporation