Jacqueline Lewis, BA, LLB, LLM, founder and managing partner of Lewis & Associates, has been a leading voice in immigration and refugee law for over three decades. She’s motivated by compassion, justice, and a relentless commitment to inclusivity. Lewis’s career is an example of how one person can impact an entire field by putting the needs of others first.
Influencing Refugee and Immigration Law
Lewis’s career began in 1991 when she founded Lewis & Associates in Toronto, Canada. Since then, her firm has become known for its legal prowess and dedication to justice for all. Under her leadership, the firm has been a haven for refugees and immigrants entering Canada with limited resources. “We work with strategic partners who help provide people with housing and social assistance if needed,” she says.
Lewis recognizes migration ebbs and flows based on the political climate. For instance, the looming 2024 U.S. presidential elections prompted Lewis and her team to prepare for a possible influx of refugees. As such, her firm serves as a sanctuary for those in need, especially individuals from countries like Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, and many others seeking a better life in Canada.
Advocating for Human Rights
Lewis has made significant contributions as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She is the president of Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, a charity that established the country’s first LGBTQ+ shelter and transitional housing project. This achievement highlights her dedication to helping marginalized communities access much-needed resources.
Lewis’ work at Egale reflects a commitment to making the world safer and more inclusive. In her view, human rights advocacy is a natural extension of her legal career. Whether helping refugees navigate the intricacies of the refugee law system or providing housing for LGBTQ+ individuals, Lewis aims to build a better world for those often overlooked by society.
Compassion at the Core of Success
Lewis attributes “caring about what I do” as the key to her success. Empathy allows Lewis to understand the needs of her clients in the communities she serves. This connection to others is not a passive feeling. Instead, it involves an active process of learning, understanding, and approaching people in a way that makes them feel seen and understood.
Lewis has been a law instructor at Western University and Carleton University. In this capacity, she imparts these values to her students. She encourages them to view the law as a tool for compassion and justice, not just a career.
An Adventurous Spirit
Lewis received the Torch Bearers Award and the Laura Legge Award from the Law Society of Ontario. However, her achievements are not confined to the legal world. Lewis’s love for adventure is evident in her personal life. Lewis became the first woman to circumnavigate Prince Edward Island by kayak. Additionally, she has won seven Canadian National Masters Championship for Kayaking medals.
The Next Phase of Justice and Inclusion
At 33 years into her career, Jacqueline Lewis is thinking about who will take over the reins of Lewis & Associates. In the next five years, she intends to pass her firm to someone who shares her vision. Lewis wants someone capable of upholding the values of accessibility, justice, and diversity. She also has plans for an LGBTQ+ senior assisted living center. Likewise, she is in the process of creating scholarships that are to be offered by her law firm, as well as a legal office dedicated to LGBTQI issues.
Lewis has built her career on a foundation of compassion, understanding, and community. Whether through her legal work at Lewis & Associates or leading the Egale charity, Lewis’s legacy is her contribution to making the world more just and inclusive.
