Biography
Genevieve Giesbrecht is an Associate Lawyer at Esna Law PC, a Toronto-based law firm focused exclusively on Canadian immigration, refugee, and citizenship law. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in the top 4% of her class.
In 2023, Genevieve received the Canadian Bar Association Immigration Law Section's Founders' Award, which recognizes an exceptional junior lawyer and future leader of the Section. It was presented by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Hon. Sean Fraser, at the CBA's national immigration law conference. That same year, York University named her one of its Top 30 Alumni Under 30.
Genevieve's practice includes
- Litigation: Judicial review, tribunal matters and post-litigation strategy.
- Citizenship: Citizenship applications, including citizenship by descent.
- Immigration applications: Study, work and visitor applications, and permanent residence.
- Refugee claims: Representation of refugee claimants.
- Port of entry and inadmissibility: Port-of-entry matters with the Canada Border Services Agency, and clients with past criminal convictions, including Temporary Resident Permits and rehabilitation.
Education & bar admission
- Juris Doctor, Osgoode Hall Law School (2020)
- Bachelor of Arts, International Development Studies, University of Winnipeg (2016)
- Called to the Ontario Bar in 2021
- Exclusively practises immigration and refugee law
During law school
- President of her student association, liaising between the administration and students at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Research assistant on "The Right to Seek Asylum in Canada (During a Global Pandemic)," Osgoode Hall Law Journal
Community & professional involvement
- Former Early Career Coordinator and Sponsored Mentorship Committee Coordinator, Canadian Bar Association Immigration Law Section
- Mentor to incoming law students and to new lawyers building careers in immigration law
Beyond the office
Genevieve loves hosting dinner parties, CrossFit, dogs and caffeine.
Publications, talks & media
Publications
- "The Intersection of Immigration and Human Trafficking: How Canada Can Provide Further Support to Foreign National Victims and Survivors," Canadian Bar Association, May 2023. This is her Founders' Award–winning paper.
Talks
- Presented on the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) measures to audiences outside the legal field, 2022
