Written and Oral Advocacy before the IRB, tips, traps, and techniques 

Mario D. Bellissimo is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law and Refugee Protection. He is the founder of Bellissimo Law Group PC and the principal lawyer, with a practice focus on citizenship, immigration, protected person litigation, and inadmissibility law. Mr. Bellissimo has appeared before all levels of immigration tribunals and courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Law Section, serves as an appointed member of the Federal Court Rules Committee, and participates in multiple stakeholder committees involving the Federal Courts, the Immigration and Refugee Board, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Department of Justice.

Mr. Bellissimo acts on a pro bono basis for Toronto’s SickKids Hospital and Pro Bono Law Ontario and serves as the National Immigration Law and Policy Adviser for COSTI Immigration Resettlement Services. He and his team represent clients from all over the world.  

Immigration Division Updates and Practice TIps 

John Edwards has been a licensed immigration consultant since 2006 and is currently a member in good standing with the College of Immigration & Citizenship Consultants (CICC). He holds a BSc from the University of Guelph and worked in the environmental sciences field for approximately 10 years. He also taught English in South America and Asia prior to entering the immigration consulting profession.

Mr. Edwards is proud to have had the privilege of working alongside and under the guidance of Cecil L. Rotenberg, Q.C. (deceased), known as the "grandfather" or "dean" of Canadian immigration law, where he gained valuable experience in dealing with complex immigration matters. 

In addition to being a licensed immigration consultant, Mr. Edwards is a licensed paralegal and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. His representation includes clients in both temporary resident classes and permanent residence applications. Over the years, he has successfully represented clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board at the Immigration Division, the Refugee Protection Division, and the Immigration Appeal Division. Currently, Mr. Edwards focuses on assisting clients with Humanitarian and Compassionate applications, immigration appeals, and with in-Canada and overseas applicants dealing with inadmissibility issues. He also enjoys teaching and has taught immigration consultancy students at two private colleges in Toronto, as well as paralegal diploma courses at a private college in Hamilton, Ontario. 

Immigration Appeal Division Updates and Practice Tips 

Anita is an Associate Counsel at Watson Goepel LLP. Her practice primarily focuses on Indigenous Law, with a portion dedicated to the area of Immigration Law. Having worked in the public sector for over 25 years, the last ten as Director General of Treaties and Aboriginal Government Negotiations West for the former Department of Indigenous & Northern Affairs, Anita brings a wealth of experience and perspective to her Indigenous practice.

Anita assists and advises a variety of clients on matters related to Indigenous self-government, economic development, governance, engagement, consultation, and accommodation. She is an accomplished negotiator, consensus builder, and problem solver. 

Human Rights and Refugee Determination 

Mojan is a fierce advocate who wins all the cases she should and some she probably shouldn’t, and when she’s on your side you know you’ll be putting your best case forward. With expertise and training in international human rights law and refugee law, Mojan represents clients before the Federal Court and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Her experience spans complex cases involving all types of temporary and permanent residence applications, refugee claims, gender-based violence and persecution, criminal inadmissibility, and immigration detention.

Mojan also advises and is an invited speaker on emerging legal issues, including the intersection of climate change and migration, and has contributed to global initiatives addressing climate-induced displacement. Fluent in English and Farsi, Mojan combines her technical knowledge with a compassionate approach to deliver outstanding results for her clients.