Ontario remains Canada's most populous province, home to a thriving legal community of more than 61,000 licensed lawyers regulated by the Law Society of Ontario. Whether you need Canadian immigration assistance or you're an Ontario resident seeking U.S. work authorization, finding the right legal representative requires understanding both local expertise and modern service delivery options that combine legal excellence with technological efficiency.
While Ontario lawyers handle Canadian immigration matters, many Ontario professionals and entrepreneurs require U.S. work authorization, whether relocating for career opportunities, expanding businesses across the border, or pursuing the American dream. For these specialized U.S. immigration needs, Alma offers Ontario residents a technology-first approach to American visa applications.
Alma's platform transforms the typically complex U.S. immigration process into a transparent, trackable journey. Unlike traditional cross-border arrangements requiring coordination between Canadian and American counsel, Alma provides direct access to experienced U.S. immigration attorneys through their secure platform while maintaining a 99%+ approval rate. The proprietary workflow system guides clients through complex applications including H-1B specialty occupation visas, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, and EB-1A green cards.
Ontario's tech professionals and entrepreneurs particularly benefit from Alma's specialization in employment-based U.S. immigration. The platform's automated document collection and real-time case tracking eliminate the back-and-forth communications that delay traditional cross-border filings, while dedicated paralegals ensure every petition meets USCIS standards. Current USCIS processing times depend on the specific form, category, and the office handling the case; applicants can check estimated timelines using the USCIS processing time tool.
For Ontario companies with U.S. operations, Alma's business immigration platform manages everything from 5 to 5,000+ cases with scalable workflows that integrate with HRIS platforms.
Contact: Start with a free consultation at tryalma.com/get-started
With over 60 years of history and a team of over 100 immigration professionals offering services in 30+ languages, Green and Spiegel represents one of Canada's most established immigration practices. The firm holds a Band 1 designation from Chambers in the Canada Immigration category.
Managing Partner Stephen Green holds LSO Certified Specialist status in Citizenship and Immigration Law, a designation requiring a minimum of 7 years of practice and a formal assessment process. He is also a longstanding figure in Canadian immigration law. Google reviews are available for this firm; ratings change over time, so prospective clients may wish to check current reviews directly.
Practice Focus: Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, work permits, business immigration, refugee law
Considerations: Traditional in-person consultation model; Toronto-centric location may require travel for clients outside the GTA.
Mario Bellissimo, called to the Ontario bar in 1998, holds LSO Certified Specialist credentials in Citizenship and Immigration Law. The firm maintains an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Google reviews are available; ratings change over time, so prospective clients may wish to check current reviews directly.
Bellissimo regularly serves as a media commentator on Canadian immigration policy and is known for his advocacy work in complex immigration cases. His firm combines courtroom advocacy with strategic planning.
Practice Focus: Federal Court representation, medical inadmissibility cases, citizenship applications, refugee claims
Considerations: Specialized expertise commands premium pricing; may be best suited for complex or contested matters.
Matthew Jeffery holds LSO Certified Specialist designation in Citizenship and Immigration Law and maintains a Toronto Tier 1 ranking in Immigration Law from Best Law Firms (Canada 2026). His practice takes a selective approach to case acceptance. Google reviews are available; ratings change over time, so prospective clients may wish to check current reviews directly.
The firm conducts extensive due diligence before accepting cases, focusing attention on matters where it can provide the greatest value.
Practice Focus: Immigration tribunal matters, Federal Court appeals, judicial reviews, refugee claims
Considerations: Selective intake process may mean limited availability for certain matters.
Ranked #1 Ontario Regional Firm (2025-26) by Canadian Lawyer, Torkin Manes serves entrepreneurial clients including those with business immigration needs.
Managing Partner Jeffrey I. Cohen emphasizes context-driven advice, noting that legal skills and excellent service "must be contextualized based on what our clients' needs are." Over 50% of partners articled at the firm, reflecting strong talent retention.
Practice Focus: Business immigration as part of a full-service offering
Considerations: Immigration is not the firm's primary focus; best suited for clients with broader business-related immigration needs.
Ottawa's leading full-service firm features Warren L. Creates, an LSO Certified Immigration Specialist admitted in 1986 and recognized by Lexpert in the Immigration Law category.
Strategic location in Canada's capital provides proximity to federal immigration authorities. The firm offers bilingual English/French services suited to Ottawa's linguistic needs.
Practice Focus: Immigration law, business immigration
Considerations: Ottawa location may limit convenience for GTA residents seeking in-person consultations.
Founder Zeynab Ziaie Moayyed holds LSO Certified Specialist credentials in Citizenship and Immigration Law, with a practice uniquely merging business and immigration law. The firm earned a Toronto Tier 2 ranking in Immigration Law from Best Law Firms (Canada 2026).
The business-immigration integration provides strategic advice for both short-term visa planning and long-term immigration purposes, serving multinational corporations and SMEs alongside individuals.
Practice Focus: Corporate immigration advisory, work permits, permanent residence for business professionals
Considerations: Business focus may be less suited for humanitarian immigration matters.
Chantal Desloges, admitted in 1999, holds LSO Certified Specialist designation in Citizenship and Immigration Law.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
As founding partner of Desloges Carvajal Law Group Professional Corporation, she leads a dedicated immigration practice with deep specialization rather than general practice dilution.
Practice Focus: Canadian immigration across employment, humanitarian, and sponsorship categories
Considerations: Boutique structure means limited capacity; prospective clients may encounter waitlists during busy periods.
With more than 1,500 legal professionals worldwide and roots tracing to 1887, Gowling WLG operates offices in Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Ottawa. William MacGregor (Kitchener) holds LSO Certified Immigration Specialist credentials.
The firm has 341 recognized lawyers by Best Lawyers and 204 total awards, reflecting broad recognition across practice areas including immigration.
Practice Focus: Business immigration as part of a full-service international offering
Considerations: Large firm structure may mean working with associates rather than senior partners; corporate focus may feel impersonal for individual clients.
With 70 years in operation, Blaney McMurtry ranks #5 among Ontario Regional Firms (2025-26). Managing Partner Shawn Wolfson emphasizes responsiveness: "Response time measured in minutes, not hours."
The firm demonstrates exceptional client commitment with 94% staff participation in workplace studies and longstanding client relationships.
Practice Focus: Business immigration as part of a broader practice
Considerations: Immigration is not the firm's primary area of focus.
Ranking #9 among Ontario Regional Firms, McKenzie Lake serves Southwestern Ontario. Managing Partner Matthew Villeneuve notes: "One of our strengths is the team we've built: this village and community of people."
The firm maintains strong community involvement, reflecting values beyond billable hours, with support for organizations including Ronald McDonald House and Community Fridge London.
Practice Focus: General practice with immigration services available
Considerations: London location serves Southwestern Ontario but may be inconvenient for GTA or Eastern Ontario residents. Immigration is not the firm's primary specialty.
Verification: All Ontario lawyers must maintain good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. The LSO's online directory provides information on any lawyer's license status and history.
Specialization: With more than 60 LSO Certified Specialists in Citizenship and Immigration Law province-wide, certification signals demonstrated expertise. For complex matters, certified specialists bring a depth of knowledge developed through extensive practice and a formal assessment process.
Technology Advantage: Modern platforms transform traditionally opaque legal processes. For U.S. immigration specifically, technology-enabled services like Alma provide real-time tracking and guaranteed turnarounds that traditional cross-border arrangements struggle to match.
For Canadian immigration matters, working with a lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario or another Canadian provincial bar is standard practice. For U.S. immigration needs, Ontario residents can work with American immigration attorneys regardless of location. Platforms like Alma provide comprehensive U.S. visa services remotely.
The Law Society of Ontario's online directory provides information on any lawyer's license status and practice areas. For immigration specialists specifically, the LSO Certified Specialist Directory lists those with advanced credentials.
Yes. Alma specializes in U.S. employment-based immigration, including H-1B visas, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, TN visas for Canadian professionals, and employment-based green cards. Ontario residents can access Alma's full services remotely through their secure platform.
Canadian immigration lawyers handle matters before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), while U.S. immigration attorneys handle matters before USCIS and American consulates. These are entirely separate legal systems. For Ontario residents relocating to the U.S., specialized platforms like Alma provide dedicated American immigration expertise.
Legal services referenced in this article are provided by independent attorneys. Alma Legal Services, P.C. provides U.S. immigration legal services; prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. For Canadian immigration matters, consult appropriately licensed Canadian counsel. The Law Society of Ontario's online directory provides information on attorney credentials and standing.
