Laurence Patenaude

I'm a passionate immigration lawyer with about three years' experience in the field, with a focus on H&C applications, refugee claims and sponsorships. I also have a keen interest in criminal law, particularly criminal defense. I strive to have a positive impact on people's lives by helping them immigrate to Canada and defending their rights.

• Assistance/advocate for people experiencing homelessness - Legal Mobile Clinic, Montreal, Quebec - 09/2021 - 01/2022: Helping people experiencing homelessness access justice and defend their rights; referring them to the appropriate resources
• Project Manager - EduCARE India, Gajner, Rajasthan, India - 05/2016 - 08/2016: Creation and participation in a program dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls from marginalized rural communities; interviews and survey of a rural community and its access to various resources; creation of an after-school youth group dedicated to learning English as well as different educational activities
• Human Rights Intern - International Clinic for the defence of human rights, Montreal, Quebec - 01/2015 - 05/2015: Participation in a human rights defence case; research about labour standards, preparing interviews, writing reports
• Communication Agent - Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador - 06/2014 - 08/2014: Developing and conducting workshops with teenagers and women from a marginalized community on oral and multimedia communication; creation of an event to showcase projects carried out in the community
• Spanish Immersion and volunteer work - ARO International, Matanzas, Cuba - 06/2006 - 07/2006: Collaboration with an international cooperation organization; intensive Spanish courses and workshops with local communities

• Award for best teamwork in the Human Rights and Freedoms course for the 2022-2023 academic year at UQAM

• Member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec

• English (bilingual)
• French (native)
• Spanish (intermediate)